It's not about physical vs. digital games, it's about ownership

	It's not about physical vs. digital games, it's about ownership(popcar.bearblog.dev)
	687 points by popcar2 47 days ago \| 521 comments
	tl;dr: Sony's move to eliminate PS disks by 2028 isn't just about physical media—it's about eroding ownership rights like reselling, lending, and preserving games. The PC comparison doesn't hold because PC still offers DRM-free options (GOG, Itch, Steam workarounds), whereas console gamers lose their only real path to ownership, leaving them trapped in a walled garden. The author argues consoles are heading toward a Netflix-style subscription-only future and urges readers to support DRM-free stores, preservation efforts, and indie devs.
	HN Discussion: ↑Regulation should enforce true ownership rights for digital purchases including transfer and permanent access ↑Industry has been steadily pushing subscription models to erode ownership since WoW's success ~Real ownership on PC actually comes from piracy and cracks, not official DRM-free stores ~Companies should be banned from using 'buy' since games are actually licensed, not owned ↑Choosing alternative hardware like Retroid with GOG games preserves long-term ownership