@rrari02: PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi pushed back against anger at Sony's decision to stop producing physical game discs. Ken Kutaragi, the founder of PlayStation, said that physical discs are a "metaphor" for owning games, and calls it a "mentality issue" if you're upset about physical discs not being produced. It follows Sony's decision to discontinue the production of game discs as of 2028, which has received major backlash from fans. Game veterans told Decrypt that the disc decision is usually pushed by publishers to boost profits, and that Sony miscalculated its community's reaction. PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi has pushed back against fans' anger over Sony's plan to discontinue physical game discs, calling it a "mentality issue." One game industry veteran claims that cutting discs is "only" ever pushed by publishers as they seek better profit margins. It comes amid a storm of controversy surrounding Sony's decision to stop disc production in 2028. Former PlayStation exec Shawn Layden called it a "heavily spreadsheeted decision" and said it damaged the company's reputation. Meanwhile, fans have garnered more than 385,000 signatures on a "Don't Kill the Disc" petition. "I understand that physical discs have become a metaphor for 'owning' games. I really understand that mentality," Kutaragi said at the Game Republic New Horizons event. "But nobody thinks [physical media] is necessary for a networked device like a smartphone, for example, because people feel that they will keep their content. So it's a mentality." Sony has told a federal judge that no reasonable consumer believes they own the digital games they pay for on the PlayStation Store, according to an August 21 filing reviewed by Game File. The filing is the company's first substantive answer to a proposed class action brought in June in the Northern District of California by four California PlayStation customers. They allege the store's "Buy Now" and "Confirm Purchase" buttons imply ownership when the transaction hands over only a revocable lice... Kutaragi retired from PlayStation in 2007 and is best known for being the architect of the first three generations of the PlayStation console. Since leaving, two more generations of the console have been released. He is currently serving as CEO of Japanese companies Ascent Robotics and Cyber AI Entertainment. “I really understand [why some people are upset]," he said, according to the Video Games Chronicle. "But I don’t think it’s economically reasonable. Maybe it’s a mentality issue.” Former creative strategist for Infinity Ward Robert Bowling told Decrypt that publishers are the "only ones ever pushing" to cut physical game discs. He said that it is because cutting discs can increase profit margins by reducing the cost of production, as well as crushing the game reseller market led by the likes of GameStop. "It speaks to the divide that has formed in our industry between those who see games as just a software product," Bowling, who is now studio head for game studio //18.bravo, told Decrypt, "And those who see them as something more like art, entertainment, collectibles, and a lifestyle." Sony has argued in court that no reasonable consumer believes that they own digital games they buy on the PlayStation Store, according to court filings. Instead, Sony says that Store purchases equate to purchasing a revocable license.

Mr. Free Speech :

Would rather switch to something else then have a game console potentially randomly shut down and take everything I’ve ever bought from them that’s not physical. Sticking with ppl who act like the ppl who made them didn’t aren’t the ones worth standing with

RTO2002 :

I want to own what I paid for. 💯😎

rizzo1022 :

Literally just boycott Sony at this point.

Maxduke :

PlayStation is about to have a financial issue

🔥Papa🐰Dumpling🔥 :

it will.be a financial issue soon enough when people stop renting Playstation games.

Sweet Cheeks :

Someone else will develop a console that everyone can switch to

FerretFather2000 :

[Rose]so I guess Ill be buyin the xbox or switch2 instead then[Snicker]

MrKelbo :

then I guess us buying the next xbox is also a mentality issue

Eric Dizzle :

Xbox here I come!!!

TriforceTrihard :

hes not wrong why do you need discs so badly, whats the benefit? if they kept cds for games will will just become key cards like with Nintendo, because where games are going and where they are now, none of them are running on disc all on the ssd or M.2 games can't run on disc, they are too slow and games wouldnt render right.

Kong.615 :

Hope Sony PlayStation go out of business. If I buy it then I owned it. The print never say rent, it say purchase. Who TF wanna rent $60-100 video? 🤦🏻‍♂️

jaymoralwar :

Jail broken PlayStation , move to pc😏

gamerbob5467 :

any company that feels you have mental issues because you prefer to own a game instead of buying a license has issues as well ,hopefully they figure this out when no buys their next console .they made the stupidest decision in gaming history with no physical disc's.

Doughboiii :

I think I rather buy an Xbox right now, I’m saving up for one

METATRON :

Actually is the process when we pay it says "Buy" not " Rent"

*⭐⭐THE EMPEROR_DODONG⭐⭐* :

well he doesn't care, as long as he see profit

krudesrudy :

Joemama420 :

This is why I'm buying an Xbox!

Alex :

I would say the same thing about greed

Chris Webster :

See you all on pc

Anthony Montes :

well I'm gonna go spend my issue else where

Will Simpson :

its why i quit gaming on console. i own what I buy or I dont buy. otherwise your just renting a game for more than its worth. and I haven't rented a game since game fly in high school.

Mads Matt316 :

How about the fact hard drives are 400+ 🤦‍♂️

[ℝ𝕖𝕕𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕕] :

sorry to hear about sonys downfall I wont be attending its funeral

CYNICALSTORMZ :

I have psn and it seems to be going downhill on the subscription they pick the worst games for our monthly games