Gaming is changing, and not for the better.
With Sony's announcement this week that it would cease producing physical copies of its games from January 2028, I've spent a decent amount of time thinking about what gaming might look like in the future.
It's a complex issue, with lots of considerations. There's the increasing cost, and the knowledge that already many people are priced out of a modern games experience.
There's game preservation, and the inevitable loss of countless pieces of gaming art due to the fact that titles will inevitably become controlled by the digital distribution platforms.
And there's the industry itself, which is driven by corporate executives focused on profit rather than the medium.
That said, I can't help but feel there's an opportunity in the gaming space right now.
The PS5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X are all so pricey (not to mention the new Steam Machine), that a console built around mid-range specs for games on par with PS3/PS4 flagship titles could help bring the cost of gaming back to a more reasonable level.
Particularly if its access to games isn't subscription based, but through affordable gaming bundles.
I don't think we'll see a return to physical media, though. The days of inserting a disc into a console are soon to be extinct.
Until next week
Nick @ BTTR
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This week's news
- The real cost of gaming going digital-only isn't the console. It's everything after » I captured some of my thoughts on the gaming industry here this week. Let me know what you think.
- Kobo and StoryGraph are now reading from the same page » It's effortless to set up.
- The Motorola razr fold is here, and it brings Bose speakers and a very big battery » Motorola's Signature is still my favourite phone this year, but I'm keen to see what it brings to the premium foldable world with this one.
- Honor's Australian phone family just got a very slim, very loud upgrade » Honor's also playing in the foldable phone space. This could be interesting
- Shark's SilkiPro wants to end your three-step hair routine » I said your hair routine. Sadly, my hair routine is nearly non-existent.
- Epson's XP-980 is for people who want proper photo prints » I once tested a giant photo printer. It was awesome. I don't know what I did with the prints, though.
New reviews
- OPPO Find N6 review: An exceptional straight shooter » Arguably the best foldable you can buy right now, though we're about to see a lot more hit the market very soon, including Samsung's 2026 Fold models.
Best deals this week
Here's a taste of this week's top deals. There are 93 total this week.
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