A growing movement dedicated to preserving video game history is sounding the alarm over the industry's accelerating shift away from physical media, with particular criticism aimed at Sony. Clemens Istel, owner of the game preservation site Does It Play and a member of the Stop Killing Games initiative, argues that companies like Sony demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of what their customers desire regarding game ownership and longevity.
Does It Play's research indicates a significant portion of modern physical console games are not fully playable out of the box. A recent report found that 34% of tested physical PS5 games and 50% of tested Xbox Series X games require additional downloads before they can be considered complete. This trend undermines the very concept of physical ownership, Istel contends.
"Customer rights are almost non-existent in the gaming space, and companies have proven time and time again that honest communication is not their strong suit," Istel stated. He highlighted the importance of physical discs for preserving specific game versions and preventing storefronts from holding a monopoly on pricing. The ability to purchase games through various new and secondhand markets offers consumers more control and choice, a freedom Istel believes is increasingly at risk.
"Less options for people is always a bad thing. Especially if the only option is a future in which your purchased goods can just be taken away or altered whenever somebody else pleases," he explained. Istel described a shift in the relationship between game companies and players, moving from a symbiotic exchange to what he terms "one-sided exploitation." This is evidenced by the increasing number of unfinished games released, hardware with online dependencies, and efforts that have actively opposed preservation initiatives.
He pointed to the Xbox Series X/S's requirement for an online connection and a Microsoft account during initial setup as an example of increasing online dependencies, even for hardware. The potential phasing out of physical discs represents, in his view, "the last thing you actually had some form of ownership over."
Istel feels Sony's current stance, characterized by a "hyper-arrogant 'take it or leave it' attitude," contrasts sharply with its past criticism of Microsoft's DRM policies. "Sony has 'Zero understanding for what their customers want,'" he asserted. This shift, he warned, sets a precedent that further normalizes streaming-centric distribution models, which could ultimately eliminate any lingering hope for genuine product control for consumers.
While PC gaming has largely embraced digital distribution, Istel sees a glimmer of hope in the emergence of DRM-free stores like GOG. These platforms allow users to download offline backups, play without an internet connection, and install games on multiple machines without restrictions, thereby granting more freedom over purchased titles. He distinguishes this from digital DRM that necessitates online checks, which creates dependency on third parties and risks games becoming inaccessible if servers are shut down.
Despite the challenges, Istel believes physical media will persist, albeit likely outside the mainstream. The unique position of console manufacturers like Sony, who control both hardware and software, makes the fight for physical ownership on consoles particularly crucial. Unlike the PC market, where users can switch operating systems or storefronts, console owners are largely locked into the manufacturer's ecosystem. In this context, physical game discs remain the final bastion for true game ownership for console players.