Preorders have opened for "PlayStation: The First 30 Years," a physical book intended to honor the gaming giant’s history. However, the announcement has coincided with significant fan backlash, fueled by Sony’s recent decisions regarding physical media.
The book, a collaboration between PlayStation and UK-based publisher Read-Only Memory, is described as a definitive visual chronicle of Sony's consoles. It features unprecedented access to the company's archives, including prototypes and concept sketches, and includes insights from key figures like Ken Kutaragi and Teiyu Goto. A Standard Edition is priced at $125, with a limited Deluxe Edition available for $325. Both are exclusively available for preorder through Read-Only Memory, with shipping expected in November.
This release has drawn criticism due to Sony's stated plans to cut disc production for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028. Fans have voiced confusion and disappointment online, with many posts featuring "No Disc, No Buy" sentiments. "Just selling collectibles and taking away what we actually want to collect," one user commented on X, accompanied by disc emojis. Another questioned, "Just so we’re clear… You support physical books, but not physical games?"
Despite facing considerable backlash since announcing the discontinuation of disc production, Sony has maintained its decision. Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has been a vocal critic, questioning the shift towards digital ownership: "If you can't sell a thing, it means you don't own a thing. If you don't own it, then what are you buying?" Ken Kutaragi, who is featured in the new book, has defended the move, calling the decision "economically reasonable," despite acknowledging that physical discs have become a symbol of game ownership.
The decline in physical disc sales has been noted by Sony, but critics argue that the concept of ownership remains integral to gaming communities. The tradition of building physical game collections has long been a source of pride for players across various platforms, and it facilitates practices such as sharing and reselling games. It remains uncertain how this ongoing debate and fan sentiment will influence PlayStation's future releases, including physical collectibles and digital games, or even the upcoming PS6.