EU Commissioner Says Union Cannot Stop Sony Digital Shift

European Union Commissioner Michael McGrath announced that the EU cannot force Sony Interactive Entertainment to continue manufacturing physical game discs. The statement follows Sony's decision to stop printing Blu-ray discs for new video games released in 2028 and beyond.

Speaking to reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, McGrath explained that the transition to all-digital games falls under commercial and contractual freedoms. He stated that companies are free to offer games and services as they see fit, provided they remain in compliance with national and EU consumer protection laws.

This stance aligns with a previous European Commission decision last month, in which the governing body declined to mandate that publishers maintain active game servers or provide offline play options. Instead of imposing regulations, the Commission is working with the industry to develop a code of conduct focused on video game preservation.

The shift toward a digital-only ecosystem raises concerns among digital preservationists and consumers regarding the long-term accessibility of software. Critics argue that the absence of physical media eliminates a reliable backup for historians and removes the ability for users to own a permanent copy of their purchases. Furthermore, the move is expected to disrupt the second-hand market, as the lack of physical discs prevents the resale and loaning of games, potentially consolidating more financial control within the hands of publishers.