PS6 LIVE: Console launch to 'fail' for one key reason claims insider

PS6 launch to 'fail' for one key reason claims insider

A gaming industry insider thinks the PS6 could be doomed to fail if Sony does not backtrack on its announcement that physical discs for PlayStation games releasing from January 2028 onwards will be discontinued.

While Sony has confirmed discs will still be made beyond that date for any games that release before January 2028, any games released by PlayStation after that date will be digital only.

The backlash to the announcement has been overwhelming, with a lot of gamers saying they will not be buying PlayStation products while this stands, that the PS5 will be their last Sony console and a number of gamers have been cancelling their PS Plus subscriptions in protest.

In a YouTube video, Moore's Law Is Dead said: "I think Sony is going to see their hardcore fans are gone [because of the backlash] and if this thing [PS6] fails to launch well, then people will say 'doesn't that suck' and the momentum will continue to snowball.

"It won't just be the launch that will be bad, people will not buy it and that could be a self fulfilling prophecy where if the initial launch is bad, people see it looks like it's bad, they then don't buy it after launch because it's not the cool thing to get.

"The PS6 is going to have a failed launch, my prediction, if Sony does not either backtrack or make it obvious that it's still worth it.

"If they don't handle this perfectly, I'm telling you this WILL be a f****d launch for the PS6."

Expert says physical disc decision is 'understandable' but 'massive bummer'

Kirk Sigmon, founding partner at KellDann Law, who is a tech attorney and a published expert in game law, has told Indy100 PlayStation's decision to discontinue physical discs is "understandable" but a "massive bummer".

"It's extremely likely that Sony tested the waters with their PS5 models and kept a keen eye on the number of purchases of the disc drive (or consoles already coming with it) and has based their decision to abandon physical media based on those sales," he said.

"All indicators suggest that gamers aren't buying physical media with the frequency and intensity that online discourse would suggest.

"That said, the decision has a ton of long-term consequences. For example, this decision is going to decimate the used games market for PlayStation games and Sony is going to have more control over long-term game pricing (which will almost certainly ensure that older games remain expensive for longer).

"As another example, this is going to make the fight over game ownership, preservation and DRM even more significant, as increased control over game distribution and access could result in some pretty consumer-unfriendly practices from game publishers.

"That's particularly the case where Sony made this digital-only announcement along with the announcement that they're shutting down the PlayStation store on the PS3 and PS Vita - a similar fate is almost certainly coming to the PS4 (and, eventually, PS5 and PS6) someday.

"Zooming out a bit, while these trends are very understandable given market conditions, console manufacturers are increasingly struggling to justify the purchase of future consoles.

"With the advent of the Steam Deck, the new Steam Machine and the bevy of other Linux-based handhelds / consoles, the arguments in favour of consoles - purpose-built, powerful, affordable, easy to pick up and play - are weakening quickly.

"It's a bit sad and I'm not quite sure if there's an easy answer to the problem."

ICYMI: Petition against PlayStation discontinuing physical discs passes 200,000 signatures

A petition calling for Sony to reverse its decision to discontinue physical discs for new games releasing from January 2028 on PlayStation has gained more than 200,000 signatures at the time of writing.

The Change.org petition called 'Don't Kill the Disc' started by Jade Pearce, the CEO of PNP Games which is an independent video game retailer in Canada, said: "A disc is a real game you own. You can lend it, trade it, resell it, gift it, collect it or pass it down to your kids.

"A box with only a download code is not the same thing. It is a digital license in plastic packaging. You do not own it. You are renting access that can be revoked and people have already had purchased movies deleted from their libraries and games pulled from sale weeks after launch.

"This is also about jobs. Ending physical media removes consumer choice, weakens local economies and hands a few platform holders total control over how and whether you can access the games you buy.

"We are not against digital. We are against digital being the only option. A large and passionate community still wants a real, physical game they own outright and Sony is about to take that choice away."

Announcing the decision on 1 July, Playstation said in a blog post: "In response to shifting trends in consumer preference, new games will be released on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.

"As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028.

"Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format."

Petition against PlayStation discontinuing physical discs passes 165,000 signatures

A petition calling for Sony to reverse its decision to discontinue physical discs for new games releasing from January 2028 on PlayStation has gained more than 165,000 signatures at the time of writing.

The Change.org petition called 'Don't Kill the Disc' started by Jade Pearce, the CEO of PNP Games which is an independent video game retailer in Canada, said: "A disc is a real game you own. You can lend it, trade it, resell it, gift it, collect it or pass it down to your kids.

"A box with only a download code is not the same thing. It is a digital license in plastic packaging. You do not own it. You are renting access that can be revoked and people have already had purchased movies deleted from their libraries and games pulled from sale weeks after launch.

"This is also about jobs. Ending physical media removes consumer choice, weakens local economies and hands a few platform holders total control over how and whether you can access the games you buy.

"We are not against digital. We are against digital being the only option. A large and passionate community still wants a real, physical game they own outright and Sony is about to take that choice away."

Announcing the decision on 1 July, Playstation said in a blog post: "In response to shifting trends in consumer preference, new games will be released on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.

"As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028.

"Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format."

PS6 release date 'revealed' by insider

An insider has declared when the PS6 will launch.

X / Twitter user @millieamand, who says in their bio they "work proudly within the entertainment and sport industry", said: "PS6 will launch fall 2027.

"Foxconn has already reserved manufacturing capacity for Sony's next PlayStation console, with its master production schedule indicating production is due to start May 2027. Once production is underway, it becomes increasingly expensive for Sony to hold."

Sony has not confirmed the PS6 or a release date at the time of writing.