Physical media is dying. So is the idea that you own what you buy

Sony’s digital-only PlayStation points to a weaker bargain for consumers. It’s been a long time coming. Physical editions of console games have steadily lost ground to digital versions, and more than one in four PlayStation 5 consoles sold in the United States since launch are now digital-only models, up from 18% in October 2024. Sony has seen where the market is headed. Beginning in January 2028, the company says it will sell only digital versions of titles through retailers and the PlayStation Store.