PlayStation announced it will end physical disc manufacturing by 2028, sparking significant consumer backlash. The decision compounds broader industry concerns, as Sony previously removed licensed films from users' digital libraries due to licensing changes. Simultaneously, consumers have demonstrated renewed interest in owning physical media, contradicting the industry's assumption that digital distribution would dominate entirely.

Game director Hideo Kojima publicly expressed his concerns at a film festival in Italy, distinguishing between downloaded games stored on personal hardware and potential future streaming models where corporations control access. He warned that geopolitical tensions and business decisions could eventually render purchased content unavailable to users, raising fundamental questions about whether digital ownership will provide lasting consumer control in an entirely streaming-dependent future.