In Mexico, Sony’s decision to halt physical video game production from 2028 may land less favorably than elsewhere. In fact, a senator and a deputy have filed a complaint with Mexico’s National Competition Commission (COFECE). A question now arises: could this action alter the situation?
What are the arguments in favor of the complaint?
On July 1, 2026, Sony officially announced the end of physical-format game production will take effect starting January 2028. After that date, new titles will be available only in digital form, either through the PlayStation Store or in stores as boxes containing nothing more than a download code. Other major players in the sector—Xbox and Nintendo—have not commented on the announcement, but observers note that the former appears to be accelerating toward digital, while the latter is expected to continue producing physical-language games.
Unsurprisingly, Sony’s announcement sent shockwaves through millions of players around the world. Yet, the reaction seems especially heated in Mexico, as reported by the LevelUp media outlet in an article dated July 12, 2026. Members of the Movimiento Ciudadano party (center-left), federal deputy Iraís Reyes and Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio filed a complaint against the Japanese company with COFECE, the Mexican competition authority.
But what grounds are driving this action? According to the plaintiffs, by removing discs (Blu-ray), Sony becomes the sole retailer of its games via the PlayStation Store, thereby sidelining local retailers such as GamePlanet and Sanborns. Moreover, the decision could simply destroy the used-games market, which enjoys significant popularity in Mexico. Finally, the plaintiffs argued that high-speed internet access remains markedly unequal across the country, making a fully digital model inaccessible for a portion of the population.
And if Sony reverses course?
Nowadays, many wonder whether a country can compel Sony to change its stance. In reality, it would be highly unlikely that the Mexican complaint alone could force the Japanese company to rethink its strategy. Nevertheless, it is conceivable that this action could become the starting point for a wave of challenges at the international level. If that happens, Sony might reconsider its approach.
If the European Union has already acknowledged its limited power on the matter, a Dutch association is seeking $457 million in damages from Sony. In France, Jean-Luc Mélenchon has pledged to reopen the case if elected president in 2027. In any event, it is still far too early to predict the path forward, even though several strong reactions are beginning to emerge in various places.
Regarding the COFECE complaint in Mexico, it is now almost certain that a favorable outcome cannot force Sony to reopen its disc-pressing plants. However, the case could lead the company to accept concessions. For example, one option would be to open the PlayStation Store to competition, effectively allowing third-party retailers to sell cheaper download codes. Other potential measures could involve relaxing refund guarantees and ensuring that games are not removed from players’ libraries, among other steps.
