Mexican government put PlayStation in its crosshairs over physical disk phase out

Sony announced in July 2026 that it would stop making physical copies of PlayStation games by January 2028, and now Mexican regulators have put PlayStation in their crosshairs over the decision. The move from Sony has drawn sharp criticism, with some arguing the decision could give Sony an unfair amount of control over the market.

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Federal Representative Iraís Reyes and Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio are leading the charge against Sony,filing a formal complaint with Mexico's antitrust body against Sony Interactive Entertainment, in which they argue that Sony's decision to phase out physical copies of PlayStation games would mean digital software sales are the only sales channel for PlayStation games, and that would enable Sony to dictate prices and terms for its games without market competition. The complaint describes this as anti-competitive behavior.

Reyes and Colosio claim the removal of physical media could limit consumer choice and make it harder for smaller developers to compete in the market. The broader gaming industry has already seen a steady decline in physical media, but Sony's timeline - ending disc production in under two years - has amplified concerns and has turned many once die-hard PlayStation fans into critics.

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Question #1

What specific antitrust claims did Federal Representative Iraís Reyes and Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio make against Sony in their complaint to Mexico’s antitrust body?

They argued Sony’s phase-out of physical PlayStation discs would leave digital sales as the only sales channel, enabling Sony to dictate prices and terms without market competition and describing that as anti-competitive behavior. They also claimed the removal of physical media would limit consumer choice and make it harder for smaller developers to compete, and that the digital-only model shifts ownership and control over game access and pricing to the platform.

Answered

Question #2

How does the complaint argue Sony’s 2028 phase-out of PlayStation physical discs could limit consumer choice in Mexico?

The complaint argues that phasing out physical discs would make digital software sales the only sales channel for PlayStation games, allowing Sony to dictate prices and terms without market competition. It says removing physical media could limit consumer choice and make it harder for smaller developers to compete. The complaint also contends the digital-only model shifts ownership to the platform, giving Sony more control over game access and pricing and removing real physical ownership from buyers.

Answered

Question #3

What market-control concerns are raised about Sony dictating prices and terms if digital becomes the only sales channel?

The complaint argues that if digital sales become the only channel Sony could dictate prices and terms without market competition, which it describes as anti-competitive behavior. Critics say removing physical media would limit consumer choice and make it harder for smaller developers to compete. Many also warn the digital-only model shifts ownership and control to the platform, giving companies like Sony greater control over game access and pricing.

Answered

Question #4

Which groups or stakeholders did Reyes and Colosio say could be harmed by removing physical media, such as smaller developers or consumers?

Reyes and Colosio said removing physical media could limit consumer choice and harm consumers, and make it harder for smaller developers to compete in the market. They argued the shift to digital-only sales would let Sony dictate prices and terms, creating anti-competitive conditions.

Answered

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Among these critics, many argue the digital-only models shift ownership to the platform, giving companies like Sony more control over game access and pricing, while simultaneously removing real, physical ownership of games from buyers. With the issue now in the hands of Mexican regulators, the outcome could set a precedent for how governments globally respond to the digital-only push in gaming.