With the end of physical media in sight, gamers have had enough
An increasing tension between players and publishers about ownership of titles could lead to a divestment from the system the big companies are trying to enforce At the time of press, there is a well-publicised protest taking place in the video games community. PlayStation 5 owners are being encouraged to log off from their consoles between 23 and 30 August – no playing games, no downloading new…
As physical media for video games faces imminent extinction, gamers have grown increasingly frustrated. A significant protest has erupted within the gaming community, urging PlayStation 5 users to disconnect their consoles between August 23 and 30. This initiative stems from Sony's announcement to discontinue physical game disc production as of January 2028, with digital-only releases to follow.
The company chose this moment to send out a reminder to its customers regarding the terms of their PS5 software licenses, emphasizing that ownership is limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and personal.
The longstanding tension between gamers and publishers, marked by mutual distrust, has intensified in recent times. Players are apprehensive about the fate of beloved franchises, potential delays, and buggy releases. Conversely, publishers and manufacturers remain concerned about piracy and fluctuating consumer preferences. However, the current climate among gamers feels distinctly political and contentious.
Microsoft has faced backlash from the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement due to its connections to the Israeli military, while the consumer advocacy group Stop Killing Games has garnered support. Additionally, concerns surrounding the Saudi-led consortium's acquisition of Electronic Arts have sparked discussions about potential boycotts, particularly in light of the company's potential impact on LGBTQ+ content in games like The Sims.
The growth and globalization of the gaming industry have expanded its influence on culture, society, and politics. Nevertheless, at a personal level, gamers and consumers are feeling increasingly disenfranchised.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Technology's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
