Summary
Overview
This WAN Show episode covers Sony's announcement to end physical PlayStation disc production in 2028, Meta's use of custom chips to run DDR4 in DDR5 servers amid the RAM shortage, and various tech industry developments including lawsuits, surveillance cameras, and AI controversies. The hosts also showcase LTT's upcoming Forever Sock product with copper-infused merino wool and discuss the challenges of moving the show to a new channel.
Sony Ending Physical PlayStation Discs in 2028
Sony announced that physical disc production will end in January 2028 for new PlayStation games, coinciding with the closure of PS3 and Vita digital storefronts and the removal of 550 movies from Sony Pictures Core. This perfect storm has created massive backlash online, though Sony is unlikely to backtrack as they've already begun converting disc-making facilities to other uses. The hosts discuss how this represents a broader shift away from physical media and the implications for game ownership and pricing.
- Physical disc production ending January 2028, future games available as download codes in boxes
- PS3 and Vita digital storefronts closing July 2027, purchased games remain downloadable but no new purchases
- 550 movies removed from Sony Pictures Core due to licensing, no longer available even if owned
- Physical sales currently 22% on PlayStation vs 78% digital, only 10% vs 90% on Xbox
- Demand increased for PS5 add-on disc drive, Sony limited sales to one per order
" Obviously the big news this week is Sony has announced that effective January 2028 they will no longer be manufacturing physical game discs. "
" This comes the same day as the announcement of the closure of the PlayStation 3 and Vita digital storefronts in July 2027, where the games that you purchased will remain available for download, which I guess is good, but you will no longer be able to buy any more, which is bad. "
" Epic quality, limitless entertainment, unless we remove a bunch of them. There's definitely a limit. "
Xbox Disk-to-Digital Feature and Future of Console Gaming
Microsoft is testing a feature allowing Xbox users to convert physical game discs to digital licenses tied to their accounts while still requiring the disc itself. The hosts debate what differentiates consoles from PCs going forward as traditional advantages like price, exclusive games, and physical media erode. They discuss how upcoming consoles like PS6 and Project Helix may cost over $1000 due to component shortages, potentially eliminating the price advantage consoles have historically held.
- Xbox testing disk-to-digital conversion where disk remains the license but enables cloud streaming
- Next-gen consoles PS6 and Project Helix rumored to cost over $1000 due to RAM shortages
- Traditional console advantages eroding: no more price advantage, losing physical media, locked marketplaces
- Exclusive titles remain as primary differentiation factor for consoles vs PC
" Would you consider delaying your console release to see if RAM is going to come down? Or would you just sign a fat contract for RAM and just set the price and hope it works? "
" Microsoft could still sell Xbox Series X during that time, but here's the challenge. They can't just go, okay, DRAM's cheap now, press go. That's not how a console launch works. "
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