u/Redfield081

So I hope this is ok to talk about, but Reddit is random and in my feed a video of a guy weighing bacon from Wal-Mart and the costs associated to it, proves they're essentially shorting us what we buy for it. In the end Wal-Mart is profiting of our loss to what we buy.

I mentioned "Who cares". Then people got defensive. Someone mentioned gas prices. If we paid for more gas, but got less.

Then I started talking about physical media/Sony's decision, which is off topic in that subreddit page, but in a long economic way, it is connected very deeply.

Back in July, I argued Sony's decision about how gas prices, food prices, renting, and subscription costs will increase and people complain about it, but yet there's no outcry in those willing to spend more to basically "rent" a product thats available to us on their platform. People told me off and shrugged it off.

To remove the third party market is a bad economic decision and it all relates in the end, but we all put ourselves in this predicament. I told them I own everything physical because I'm not a fake consumer who later complains about the rising prices of bacon, but you get less.

Here we are in 2026, we're ok with rising subscriptions to watch our favorite movies, or TV shows. We're ok with spending more money on digital games without a physical collector's item. We're ok essentially not owning anything at a greater price, but God forbid, if bacon goes up in price by a few cents and we're short a few strips, there is a massive outcry.

The hypocrisy is ironically funny and from a wider perspective, this economy all relates. I know video games don't directly relate to food, gas or rent, but it's a precedent that we put ourselves into.

Basically if money matter that much to people, you'd cancel your Netflix and start buying your movies. Or buying your physical games. Because the future is dark and dystopia. I told everyone, if we're content removing physical disc's, I don't want to hear any complaining about food prices or gas prices, yet look where we are.

Physical media matters. I still have hope one day, even if it's 10 years down the road, physical will come back.

Look at Spider-Man in theaters right now. We all thought movies were dead. One of the biggest movies in a long time breaking records. Physical media can still make a comeback. It's up to us to open everyone's eyes to the future of this economy. Otherwise it's ironically hypocrisy!

Again, I am talking about physical media, even though the A.I. is flagging my post that I'm breaking rules. I'm indirectly making a point why physical media matters so I'm sorry if this is not ok. If there are mods on here who see this. It's not my intention! I am just proving points why we must keep fighting for our disc rights!!! :)

Sony says to just create a new account and lose thousands of thousands of games worth you bought.

😆😆😆🤣🤣

This is the digital future you guys wanted.

I'm also sorry to all those people in the past week who keep complaining about their account being compromised. I don't know about you, but I've seen an increase in users complaining about their account being hacked, or locked out and Sony won't do anything to retain your purchases, no refunds. "Just create a new account!"

Sooner or later, Sony will feel the boycott effect. People will slowly turn away.

Physical media matters. Nobody can hack your games on your shelf, unless you get robbed physically.

So like 6 months ago I bought Hell Is Us on sale. I beat it two months ago or so. It was a good game. Wanted to play it again.

Then another user posted a collector's edition with a steelbook, and I'm a huge fan of that metal packaging. I buy 95% of my 4K movies as a steelbook.

Now I'm tempted to drop another $40 [more than what I bought already] just to own the steelbook!

This is what digital buyers are missing out on. I like holding it in my hands and looking at the art, plus it's a super fancy case, even if the disc does go obsolete, it'll be like art on my shelf. Like look at that trophy!

The standard plastic cases are, I admit, ugly. But collecting fancy collector items would be a great incentive to buy physical again.

It worked for Resident Evil Requiem. It was sold out fast and I snagged it. However I wasn't a huge fan of the artwork, but it's still nicer than plastic.

So imagine post 2028, Sony ONLY releases collector items for $80 and it comes with a steelbook and exclusive content. But physical plastic standards will NOT be manufactured.

Do you think it would work to drive interest in physical again knowing they would be rare?

Regardless sales, that physical media opens up a consumer market for those who aren't as fortunate to just have access to a digital store?

With that statement alone, how can *anyone* argue and actively destroy that market for those who support it and *need* it essentially?

There's no argument that says killing off that market is beneficial to those outside of the variables to thrive on digital alone.

Unless you work for Sony, why do you care about sales, statistics or their goal plan? We, as, consumers are fighting for a market for *everyone* to play games. To rip that away from some, seems a little selfish to me.

The narrative of digital that's beneficial to Sony isn't equivalent to the defense of people who walk into a game shop to purchase an older game and potentially newer games, but from the future time to experience a new game without the internet.

The past two weeks have been Hell. But nobody really can give a great argument for digital other than "it benefits Sony" which is ineligible unless you personally work for them [why do you care?] And "the license" argument about not owning games anyways, but some games can be played offline. And let's not forget about the "convenience" one, like some people don't have access to internet? They rely on a consumer market to buy physical games. Then don't forget the "it was inevitable " argument, like if thats your best defense, then we should just put our entire lives on the internet. Gaming isn't life, but when you start putting things you own in the hands of Sony's PSN, that just opens doors we don't want to walk in.

So can we all just agree that having physical copies benefits those who need it to do what you do for a hobby? Is it fair to strip that opportunity right from those unfortunate compared to yours, because you got it better?

Is it fair because a big chunk of humanity has it easy, but those who are in unfortunate circumstances/situations/scenarios will ultimately pay the price of gaming and not have that open market for games anymore, while we thrive off digital?

I guess I'm dumb for thinking of others. I'm stupid for thinking everyone deserves to play. Play has no limits? Right?

Or should it change to Play has limits. You need an internet connection and an account to play any games post 2028? Some slogan.

I just read an article about how Playstation is tied to your country by default. Which means if you move [or travel] you would have to buy all your games again. Bypassing this feature goes against their legal terms and will result in a removal of your account.

Sony will not negotiate, even if you move temporarily for a year.

Physical owners? You good. You own the game and it's region free! You don't have to buy them again. This also opens up a market for those who want specific versions of games around the world.

I'm sure a ton of digital folks will somehow find a way to defend this.

But lordy lord, Sony says nobody buys physical media.

Now can these *10,000+ people start buying video games physical? It's not dead. We can't kill physical media. Keep fighting.

*On Amazon. I'm going to buy it now! 10,001+ now!

For once, can we put aside our opinions. Let's talk about what is true and that's facts.

Physical will always be cheaper. I've bought many new release games with a hefty discount through retail stores in the past few years. I'm talking $20 to $30, when it's normally around $60.

Digital sales happen very seldomly, which I read from some gamers and it's usually like 15% off.

After this goes digital only, do you really believe Sony intends to price down the price of games? This will be guaranteed like Netflix, and every year they'll continue to rise prices.

Previously someone told me I was joking that I won't spend over $40 for a new release digitally only. But I replied, I've bought numerous new games that were less than $40 in the past 6 months physically.

So begs the question. Are they rich by asking for only a choice to spend more when it's proven fact physically is far cheaper and less hurtful on your wallet.

Thats why we are fighting for physical. It keeps open a system in the consumer market for those who only have $20 this month to spend on a game.

When 2029 comes around, people will complain about the prices. And I can't comprehend why anybody in this crazy country why you'd want to spend more and actively defend it.

Gamers could save hundreds, if not thousands a year. This is literally why Sony is going down this path. It's ludicrous that people want to spend more! Then why do people complain about rising gas prices?! What about food?! Insurance?! But yet gamers want to spend more on games?!?!?!?!?! Help me understand that logic!!!!

😱😱😱😱

I just thought of another reason to buy physical.

With all these console updates, can't Sony put a firmware in your new update that prevents you from playing a game, online or offline?

I mean they explicitly said we don't own nothing post 2028 and they can take it back anytime.

So if you factory reset your Playstation to avoid these updated firmware, as long as your physical disc's were printed prior to this update, you can play them offline forever. With no internet, right?

But for those that download digitally, they would have to log back into their account and try to download again, but can't because of Sony taking your rights to own.

Am I wrong in this assumption that physical is always better? And awareness that we should avoid software updates?

Aren't we all adults? Or are we still in our parents basement hiding behind a keyboard?

With the recent news of physical media going away, I thought as a community, we would've came together as one. Like a big family.

But I've seen so many negative, hateful comments from those who prefer digital in why we shouldn't care about physical. It's outstanding. It's High School behavior.

Some prefer digital, some don't. That choice is ours and it makes come together as one when we game.

This isn't about pros and cons. It's about choice. I'm not fully against digital, I just want that freedom of choice. I have always preferred physical. This news doesn't impact digital gamers at all. So why are they weighing in and telling us we're basically "idiots" for preferring that? We all have our reasons. It shouldn't dictate us.

This is all about protecting our freedom to what we choose to spend with our money. Thats it. Nothing more. Everything else is just noise. The arguments about not owning it, or no memory space, is just meaningless at this point.

We need to come together and fight this harder than before. Don't people usually find their greatest gaming buddies online through multi player games? Yet, this news shed a darker image of what gamers are truly like.

If you are going to come in here and start posting statistics about how digital is doing better than physical, I hope mods who view this thread will delete them. I don't care if 98% buy things digital. This is ABOUT choice.

Can we all just put aside our feelings and fight together on this? Keep physical media alive for those that decide they want it. End of discussion.

I just recently was in a thread where people are canceling Amazon to go to Walmart with their high demand steelbooks, apparently, in fear of packaging.

I've ordered over 100 steelbooks from Amazon and 98% were in perfect condition.

My trick?

Gift bag.

Someone said they spent more money on Walmart instead of Amazon because of this fear. This isn't a post about why you shouldn't order from Walmart, but more about a "cheat" on how to get a damage free steelbook from Amazon.

I have over 100 gift bags stashed in my closet as we speak cause I don't know what to do with them, but Amazon will ship these orders in a box. Always.

This post is an awareness because I'm tired of addressing this over and over again in multiple threads "oh my gosh, my Amazon order is destroyed, horrible packaging"

Yet I'm doing just fine with all my orders. So I hope people see this trick and do it. Gift bag. $3.49 or $3.99.

Thank you! Now no more complaining. The choice is yours.

So I know Deepdiscount is legit, but after falling in love with the live action One Piece, decided to start getting into the anime. Got The Red steelbook from Target.

Stampede is the only other one. BluRay links you to Ebay, because it's out of print. $300.

However you can easily just order it from Deepdiscount and they claim they will "produce" it for you, just you, because "This product is a special order".

I ordered Small Soldiers from them when it went out of stock for a week, then regret it cause it came back in stock. So they send solicited text messages. I finally asked them about this "offer".

If they can easily publish a new steelbook at the cost of a new release, why would anyone buy it on Ebay IF it was this easy? I mean again it sounds legit, via texting someone within the company, but never heard of them producing more to demand? Imagine if they did this for every steelbook.

Thank you!