Sony's decision to cease manufacturing physical PlayStation discs by January 2028 has prompted a formal antitrust complaint in Mexico. Federal Representative Iraís Reyes and Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio are preparing to file the complaint with the National Antitrust Commission, arguing that the shift constitutes anti-competitive and anti-consumer behavior.
The lawmakers, who are members of Mexico's Movimiento Ciudadano political party but intend to submit the complaint as private citizens, believe that eliminating physical media would force consumers to purchase games exclusively through Sony's digital store. "If discs disappear, anyone who owns a PlayStation will no longer be able to choose where to buy their games and will be forced to purchase them exclusively through Sony's store," stated Reyes.
This move, according to Colosio, would significantly impact retailers such as Liverpool, Sanborns, and GamePlanet, which currently sell PlayStation discs. The complaint also highlights the potential elimination of the substantial second-hand and game trading markets. The lawmakers assert that Sony would effectively become the sole distributor of games on its platform, potentially breaching Mexico's Federal Economic Competition Law and engaging in monopolistic practices.
As an example of the potential ramifications of a single company controlling a platform's content distribution, Reyes and Colosio cited Sony's recent removal of over 500 movies and TV shows from users' PlayStation accounts without issuing refunds. They contend that Sony would become "both the referee and the player within its own ecosystem."
Furthermore, the complaint addresses concerns about digital divides. Colosio pointed out that a digital-only model assumes universal access to reliable, high-speed internet, a reality not shared by all of Mexico's population. This approach could marginalize players in areas with poor internet infrastructure.
Since announcing the discontinuation of disc manufacturing, Sony has not publicly responded to the widespread criticism. The decision has been met with near-universal condemnation from industry figures, retailers, and the public. A petition urging Sony to reverse its decision has gathered nearly 310,000 signatures.