French Presidential Candidate Calls for Legislation as PlayStation Ends Physical Discs
French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon has voiced concerns over Sony’s planned discontinuation of physical game disc production by 2028, advocating for new legislation to protect digital game purchases. He argues that digital games, unlike physical copies, function as revocable licenses lacking a second-hand market and are susceptible to being delisted, potentially rendering entire game generations inaccessible. Mélenchon plans to launch a campaign in 2027 to establish that video games are cultural assets with associated gamer rights, as current legislation is insufficient to address the shift to a digital-only ecosystem. Despite recent setbacks for preservation efforts in both the European Commission and the United States, Mélenchon’s influence as a polarizing figure with a strong youth following, particularly in his 2027 presidential bid, could impact the debate on digital ownership.
John Q. Hosedrinker