EU says it cannot force Sony to keep PlayStation discs

European Union officials have indicated they lack the legal authority to compel Sony to reverse its decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs, a policy set to take effect in January 2028. This stance, articulated by EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, leaves consumer-led petitions and boycotts as the primary avenues for opposition to the company's planned shift to an all-digital distribution model for new releases.

McGrath, the EU Commissioner for consumer protection, stated that companies retain commercial freedom to choose how they offer games and services, provided consumer rights are protected under existing law. He made the comments to reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, framing the issue as a matter of contractual and market freedoms. This position follows a similar EU decision in June 2026, when regulators declined to propose new regulations sought by the "Stop Killing Games" movement aimed at preventing publishers from sunsetting online games.

The announcement has sparked significant backlash from gamers, preservationists, and some within the gaming industry. A Change.org petition calling for Sony to reverse the decision has garnered...