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Tom Brady: Argentina's stunning World Cup rally past Egypt might top 28-3
Tom Brady is the author of arguably the greatest comeback in sports history. But even he’s not sure about that after Tuesday’s action at the World Cup.
Doom co-creator John Romero weighs in on Xbox's cuts to id Software, underlines the importance of digital preservation and the studio's history
One of the minds behind the original Doom games and id Software has commented on the layoffs executed by Xbox and the importance of the studio's history.
ECSU adds data science, online history, social work degrees
Elizabeth City State University, one of four North Carolina Promise institutions providing affordable access to higher education, is expanding its curriculum and adding flexibility for students.
The Green Bay Packers Have a Tremendous History of Fighting Spirit and Resilience
From humble beginnings in a meatpacking town to thirteen NFL titles, discover how the community-owned Green Bay Packers defied the odds to become an enduring icon of American sports.
What is Mitch McConnell’s health status?
McConnell, the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history, was admitted to the hospital June 14, and little has been said about why.
CaroMont Health Opens CaroMont Hematology & Oncology in Belmont
CaroMont Health has opened CaroMont Hematology & Oncology in Belmont, expanding access to cancer and blood disorder care across the region. Located in the CaroMont Health Medical Pavilion on the campus of CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Belmont, the practice offers physician visits, infusion therapy and laboratory services in one convenient location, along with comprehensive hematology and medical oncology care including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy and survivorship support. The opening is part of CaroMont Health's $200 million investment in cancer care, the second largest investment in the health system's history, which will double its oncology capacity across the region.
Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games
We countdown 100 days until kickoff with a series of the most iconic games in Cowboys history. Today is Day 69
Today in White Sox History: July 6
Two pinch-hit homers, for the first and only time, lead to a comeback win over the A’s
Xbox layoffs hit thousands, 4 studios dropped
Xbox layoffs begin. The gaming brand will lay off thousands and drop 4 studios in ‘the most significant restructure in Xbox history.’
White House Blasts Smithsonian History Exhibits For 'Radical' Activism
A new Trump administration report singles out references to 'Hamilton,' drag queens and Mickey Mouse.
White House report accuses Smithsonian museum of ‘extreme political activism’
The 162-page report on the National Museum of American History marks an escalation of President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Smithsonian museums.
Xbox Laying Off 3,200 Staffers, CEO Confirms: "Our Business Today Is Not Healthy"
The CEO of Microsoft's Xbox video game unit has announced "the most significant restructure" in its 25-year history, with 3,200 workers facing layoffs.
NASA Webb Uncovers Unusual Galaxy Shaped by Cosmic Collision
Webb uncovers unusual galaxy shaped by cosmic collision: Webb's unprecedented sensitivity across near- and mid-infrared wavelengths cuts through the thick lanes of dust that obscure Centaurus A’s center in visible light, showing a densely packed tapestry of individual stars and an active, everchanging galaxy. These images mark four years of better-than-anticipated performance and successful science operations for the most powerful space telescope in history. Centaurus A is 11 million light-years away from Earth, relatively close in cosmic terms. Yet, unlike most nearby galaxies, it is very active, making it a powerful laboratory for understanding how galaxies and black holes grow and evolve together.
Smithsonian's National Museum of American History promotes 'extreme political activism,' WH report alleges
A 162-page White House report accuses the National Museum of American History of ideological capture and abandoning straightforward education.
From recombinant DNA to AI: Who gets a say in powerful new science?
Professor Luis Campos studies the history of biology and biotechnology.
Why U.S. measles outbreaks have grown harder to extinguish
As the nation nears last year’s record case total, experts say the virus is becoming harder to contain, forcing medicine to relearn a disease many thought had been consigned to history.
Cook review: ‘Minions & Monsters’ is a clever comedy about movie history
Everybody who’s seen the 1998 “Ronin” raise your hand. Really? You’ve missed a terrific action movie starring Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno is thusly named because it’s a parallel for the Japanese word ...
BUSINESS BRIEFS July 6, 2026: Business news in the Berkshires and beyond
Business news from Du Bois Freedom Center, Berkshire Museum, Norman Rockwell Museum, and more.
White House report accuses Smithsonian leaders of 'extreme' activism
A White House report accuses leaders of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History of embracing "extreme political activism."
Western Town Library plans free July programs
Western Town Library will host free July events including a magic show, Oneida Carry history presentation and the Utica ZooMobile.
World Cup: Erling Haaland, Norway shock Brazil to make history
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway stunned Brazil, 2-1, to reach their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal.
Orlando Magic's Most Confusing Move in Free Agency
Orlando’s decision to re-sign Jonathan Isaac despite plummeting production and injury history sparks criticism, as analysts question prioritizing loyalty over finding a reliable veteran presence.
Jesse Eisenberg says it would be ‘silly’ to leave the U.S. over Trump’s presidency
Jesse Eisenberg admits he doesn't see the point of leaving the U.S. over Donald Trump's presidency when he can stay put and 'help those who are struggling through a tougher period in American history.'
Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games
We countdown 100 days until kickoff with a series of the most iconic games in Cowboys history. Today is Day 70
White House report brands Smithsonian leadership as radical activists who can’t be trusted
A White House report brands the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, especially at the National Museum of American History, as radical activists who cannot be trusted.
White House Criticizes Smithsonian Museum for ‘Extreme Political Activism’
A scathing report released on the Fourth of July says the National Museum of American History downplays the role of the founders while emphasizing social justice.
Trump’s Fireworks Fiasco Sparks Health Fears Across D.C.
The largest display in history left some Washington, D.C. residents stranded indoors.
Top 10 Coping Mechanisms for Celtics Fans After the Jaylen Brown Trade
It's been a couple days since the worst trade in franchise history, and we've had time to process it... And no, we're still not OK. So, in the spirit and tradition of David Letterman’s Top 10 Lists from the original Late Night TV show, I present you with these ten ways Celtics fans can cope with ...
5 Seattle sporting events to rival U.S.-Belgium World Cup match
Monday's U.S.-Belgium World Cup match could be the biggest sporting event in Seattle's history. Here are five other events that could lay claim to the title.
Minnesota Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan retiring after 36 years
After 36 years covering the most notable teams, players, and stories in Minnesota sports, Jim Souhan is retiring. The longtime Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist and reporter announced his plans to retire on Saturday in a column titled Reflecting on 36 years of scoops, spats and Minnesota sports history. “Belatedly reflecting on more than 40 years…
Science History Institute presents "Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks" through July 2027
There have been fireworks aplenty to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, but have you ever wondered where fireworks came from? Or how does it work? The Science History Institute has a free exhibition on view that's sure to spark your interest.
Roob's Eagles Observations: Bryce Huff's hilariously misguided memory of 2024
Why Jeff Lurie is the best owner in Philadelphia sports history, Bryce blaming everyone but himself and more in Roob's Eagles Observations.
The twisted history Trump’s White House is using to redefine religious freedom
Is religious freedom on the retreat in America? A Trump commission certainly believes that to be true.
England enter the Azteca - where football kings are crowned
BBC sport explores the history and cultural power of the Azteca, one of the great cathedrals of world football, as England prepare to face Mexico there in the last 16 of the World Cup.
See iconic Sarasota photos from a bygone Florida era
From Ringling elephants and the Lido Beach Casino to downtown landmarks, these vintage photos capture the magic of old Sarasota.
Politics: Laws affecting driver registration, cyberbullying take effect in Illinois
Several new laws took effect in Illinois last week — along with the largest budget in the state’s history.
Trump blends history, military, politics: 7 takeaways from the 250th
Here are seven takeaways from July 4 celebrations, including Trump's views on history, the military and election legislation.
In Fourth of July Speech, Trump Celebrates America and Derides Foes
A centerpiece address for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration devoted time to American history, but had all the hallmarks of a Trump rally.
Trump uses America’s 250 speech to honor military heroes and also push political agendas
President Trump concluded the semiquincentennial celebration by reflecting on the nation's history, honoring veterans and pushing his political agenda during his address at the Salute to America event. NBC News’ Ryan Nobles reports on key points from the president's speech.
Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games
We countdown 100 days until kickoff with a series of the most iconic games in Cowboys history. Today is Day 71
Fireworks, heat, hot dogs and politics: America celebrates its 250th birthday
The signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of history’s most celebrated articulations of democratic ambitions, is being marked in myriad ways.
Moment of Science: Bald Eagles
It may have a bright yellow beak, but it'll always be known for the "red, white and blue". Let's fly through the high and lows of the bald eagle's history in America. 🇺🇸🦅
Fireworks, heat and politics: America celebrates its 250th birthday
Anticipation for the milestone holiday has been building for much of the year, serving as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their complicated history.
The Steam Machine Has Its Own ‘Red Ring Of Death’
History doesn’t always repeat itself, but it often rhymes, as one Steam Machine owner discovered a familiar fatal error alert
Fireworks, heat and politics: America celebrates its 250th birthday
WASHINGTON — The 250th anniversary of American independence is colliding with a country gripped by political polarization and a heat wave bearing down on millions of people across multiple states as celebrations get underway across the United States on Saturday. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of history’s
13 Actors Who Made the 1970s the Golden Age of Movies
Few eras in Hollywood history feel as iconic and packed with talent as the ’70s, when a group of boundary-pushing stars captured the imagination of movie lovers with unforgettable performances. From b...
Happy Independence Day Dawg Sports!
It’s July 4th, the day we celebrate one of history’s earliest and most impactful conference realignments. The decision by our founding fathers that the British Empire’s revenue sharing model just wasn’t for them, and became the Notre Dame of the Western Hemisphere, geopolitically speaking. Their fateful decision saved us from a number of indignities, such […]
In an era of charged politics, teachers help their students navigate the maze of history
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The milestone coincides with an era when the historical record is a source of contention.
Souhan: Reflecting on 36 years of scoops, spats and Minnesota sports history
My sports journalism career is coming to an end. I’ll miss a lot of people who may not miss me, but I will fondly remember the state’s biggest stars and other less-heralded ones.
Greatest Sports Moments in USA History
Happy 4th of July! To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the TOC Staff wanted to share what we felt are the most iconic sports moments in our nation’s history. We hope you enjoy our lists. And we look forward to seeing your lists in the comment section. O Basse 1. Babe Ruth calling his shot in […]
Declaration of Independence sets 'America apart from everybody else'
Oakland County Circuit Judge Michael Warren explains why the Declaration of Independence makes the USA so unique in world history.
MSU's McCoy Biagioli makes history with second Michigan Amateur title
McCoy Biagioli, 20, of White Lake, beat Grand Blanc's Logan Price, 28, in the championship match Friday at Eagle Eye Golf & Banquet Center in Bath.
Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games
We countdown 100 days until kickoff with a series of the most iconic games in Cowboys history. Today is Day 72
Long Reads for the Long Weekend
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) Happy Fourth of July weekend! As has been a tradition of mine going back to the beginning of the EntStrategyGuy website, I’m sharing my favorite long reads of the last year, like I did in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025. Let’s dive right in! Subscribe “Different Prices for the Same Ride: How Uber and Lyft Use AI to Get More Money Out of You“ by Derek Kravitz in Consumer Reports I don’t think surveillance pricing, like the kind described in this brilliant Consumer Reports article, is long for the world—it’s toxically unpopular—but we’ll see if either party takes on this issue. If I ran a political party focused on affordability, I would focus on a few pro-consumer and pro-market policies: Banning non-compete agreements. Ending surveillance pricing Eliminating junk fees (read more here...) Ensuring “right to repair” for consumer (and military!) products Capping excessive app store fees Stopping digital/algorithmic price-fixing tools. Preventing automatic subscription price increases. And more. If you want to fight inflation, there are a lot of great ways to do it quickly. Speaking of higher prices... “Secret Documents Show Pepsi and Walmart Colluded to Raise Food Prices Across the Economy“ by Matt Stoller in BIG Again, I think a political party should focus on lowering prices for consumers. And deals like this—Walmart making a deal/forcing Pepsi to offer the lowest prices at its stores and nowhere else—hypothetically lower prices at Walmart...but raise them everywhere else. “15 DUIs, still driving: California’s failure to take repeat drunk drivers off the road“ by Robert Lewis and Lauren Hepler in CalMatters CalMatters does terrific reporting in California, something the Golden State desperately needs more of, and this article is a great example of that. “PugLips: The next insanely popular thing you’ve never heard of…” by Simon Carless in Game Discover Co I thought that this parody article (and yes, it’s a parody, but I was definitely unsure at first) was hilarious and totally nailed how much tech/business journalism feels these days. Actually, three of my favorite articles this year were on hype in the video game industry, including Georg Zoller’s “The Video Game Industries Very Dark Night”—which I linked to recently and wrote a follow-up here—and Owen Mahoney’s “Derek Zoolander, Videogame Exec”. In particular, I like Mahoney’s focus on user experience as a guide to what trends will actually grab hold of customers. “The Matrix Lies“ by Evan Shapiro in Media War & Peace Evan Shapiro’s first person account of his experience with AI was hilarious. I think LLMs capabilities have significantly grown from last summer, and yet...my editor/researcher just had an abysmal experience using an LLM to do a quite basic task (which our LLM normally does each week) and the LLM made a mistake on every single data entry...along with seven different mistakes affecting twelve of the twenty or so entries, including mistakes that are explicitly spelled out in the prompt. That’s a brutal failure rate. Again, if you use AI/LLM for data collection, you need to take a lot of extra steps to verify and check the data. “Ghosts in the Balcony: A Cross-Country Trip to 58 Theaters Fighting to Survive“ by Matthew Frank in The Ankler I thought Matthew Frank’s pitch to head across America to visit theaters sounded insane aggressive at the time—at least it felt that way to someone a decade older than him; man, to be in your twenties again, am I right?—but I knew the result would be great. And it was, a terrific feature by a great young writer. Also, I loved Matthew’s recent article on who’s getting the precious few entry level jobs in Hollywood. (Hint: nepotism.) “Disney erased FiveThirtyEight“ and “Did Las Vegas get too greedy?” by Nate Silver in Silver Bulletin I love media history and analysis, and there’s no one better to get the history of FiveThirtyEight than from Nate Silver, who wrote about his personal experience in one of my favorite pieces from this year. I also loved Nate’s breakdown of what’s causing Vegas’ woes, but I’ll offer one criticism, summarized as “Might I suggest antitrust?” Many centrists/center-right/libertarian thinkers (Nate is self-described as the latter) often don’t consider consolidation or antitrust as factors in policy issues like housing, America’s military readiness, or, in this case, Las Vegas. Even if libertarians want to debunk antitrust/consolidation concerns, I’d love to read that debunking. In this case, Vegas is incredibly consolidated (though it also has been for a long time) and I’d have loved to read Nate at least contending with this factor, since he addresses almost every other potential factor for Vegas’ decline. “Why Microsoft’s Carbon Removal Pullback Is Such a Big Deal“ by Robinson Meyer in Heatmap News I’m a big supporter of carbon removal efforts, but this nascent industry faces a lot of headwinds, including this big move most recently. I think it’s clear that solar panels and batteries should be able to get the world to its carbon footprint goals, but effective carbon renewal remains necessary to prevent the worst impacts of global warming. “AI is killing the cheap smartphone“ by David Oks LLMs and AI will impact the world in ways we’re not ready for, and already, third world countries are seeing the prices of cheap cellphones skyrocket due to the cost of chips skyrocketing. This article by David Oks is a terrific breakdown. “100 Days of Madness: Netflix, Paramount, Warner and the Future of Hollywood“ by Wade Major at Hollywood Heretic Wade Major dove deep into Hollywood/streaming’s financials in this must read piece. Not that I agree with everything in this article (read my take on Warner Bros./Paramount here) but the analysis is top notch. I think many people discount how quality thinking, regardless of the argument/conclusion, will make you a better thinker. “Erased by the UFC: Frank Shamrock, The MMA GOAT of the 20th Century“ by Nate Wilcox in The MMA Draw Newsletter Growing up playing the UFC fighting game on the Dreamcast, Frank Shamrock was my favorite MMA fighter, and this history/tribute to him was great. Other Fun Reads “The Hardest Part Of History To Tell Is How It Felt“ by Craig Fehrman at Defector “Unmasking the Sea Star Killer“ by Craig Welch at bioGraphic “What Could Save the Industry? Fin-Syn“ by Richard Rushfield in The Ankler Alex Rollins Berg in Underexposed on movie bumpers, pillow shots, Disney trash cinema, cult films, and Casablanca. David H. Montgomery in YouGov’s The Surveyor on punctuation marks, condiments, dinosaurs, and comic strips and kids media. “How Medium finally pivoted its way to profitability“ and “Why the best journalists on YouTube are all former Vox employees“ by Simon Owens in Simon Owens’s Media Newsletter “It’s Not Just You, Netflix Shows Have Gotten Slightly Shorter: Here’s What the Data Says“ by Kasey Moore at What’s on Netflix “Numlock Awards: How Diane Warren became the biggest loser in Oscar history“ by Nathaniel Rakich and “Numlock Awards: The Oscar Bait era is over. The Oscar Chum era is here.” by Walt Hickey & Michael Domanico at Numlock Awards
The United States at 250: Who gets to tell a nation's story?
As the US marks 250 years of independence, debates over how the nation's history should be told have become part of the anniversary itself. President Donald Trump says America should tell a more patriotic story.
The Political Recap: Exploring how politics shaped Virginia and the country’s history
Guest host MaryCatherine Price talks to political expert Rich Meagher about political movements, the Founding Fathers’ opinions on today’s political sphere and how the country was found…
To Stay Cool, Wear Flowing Robes and Throw Water Around? Yes, Says Science.
Throughout history, people have come up with surprising ways to beat the heat that actually work.
Scientists discover giant fan-shaped structure beneath Antarctica's ice sheet: The hidden structure rewriting Earth's ancient history
For decades, Antarctica has been treated as a kind of frozen time capsule, a place where evidence of Earth's deep past sits preserved, undisturbed, beneath layers of ice that have built up over millions of years. As per the study published in Nature Geoscience, scientists have now uncovered something remarkable within that buried record: an enormous, fan-shaped geological structure stretching across a huge swath of East Antarctica, hidden entirely from view beneath the ice.
Guilt by Accumulation
The recent news of entrepreneur Elon Music becoming the first trillionaire in world history should have been an occasion met with not only the astonishment it merited, but also the admiration it deserved. Unsurprisingly, it was met with neither. Just the far opposite. Instead, the jealous fangs of the anti-capitalists were bared which, in and […]
From bamboo sticks to modern chemistry: A history of fireworks on display at the Science History Institute in Old City
“Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks” tells the story of fireworks from the earliest Chinese inventions to today’s choreographed pyrotechnic displays.
The American Lens: The most impactful sports photos in history
ESPN asked a panel of athletes, photojournalists and others from across the sports world to define the most impactful sports photos in American history
Record 24.4M watched USMNT's World Cup win, per Fox Sports
The U.S.' victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night was the most-watched soccer telecast in English language history with more than 24.4 million viewers, according to Fox Sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo Continues To Make History, Breaking World Cup Knockout Stage Record
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the oldest player to ever play in the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Dolphins Current Uniforms Receive Top 10 Ranking
The Miami Dolphins have a storied history, including their uniforms, which have received a top 10 ranking.
‘Education, entertainment and celebration’: American Village hosting 2-day event for Fourth of July, America’s 250th
The two day festival spans from July 3 to July 4, bringing together music, history, food, art and family-friendly experiences in a “dynamic and patriotic setting.”
Who Are the Best Draft Picks in Denver Nuggets’ History?
The NBA Draft is where franchises, like the Denver Nuggets, are built. Few organizations have found greater value in the later stages of the draft than Denver. The team famously selected three-time MVP Nikola Jokić with the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Now, the choice is regarded as the greatest second-round pick in […] The post Who Are the Best Draft Picks in Denver Nuggets’ History? appeared first on The Lead.
iOS 27 Public Beta Available This Month, Here's How to Get Your iPhone Ready Now
Apple previously announced that the first iOS 27 public beta would be released in July, meaning that it should be available at some point this month. Below, we have outlined how to get ready for the iOS 27 public beta, which will likely follow the third or fourth iOS 27 developer beta. Release Date History The first public betas of iOS 16 through iOS 26 came out between July 11 and July 24.
Helio and You: Heliophysics as an American Endeavor
Heliophysics is an important cornerstone of the history of astronomy, and many of the pioneers in this field have been American. This article examines a bit of this history in depth.
Premier Lacrosse League raises $100 million as sport gears up for ‘biggest moment’ in its history
Another big valuation moment for an up-and-coming sports league.
The Supreme Court tackled race, history and the law in fraught and reflective major rulings
The Supreme Court has wrapped up a term with significant rulings on race and discrimination
The Supreme Court tackled race, history and the law in fraught and reflective major rulings
The Supreme Court has wrapped up a term with significant rulings on race and discrimination.
IAM District 4 Members Win First Contract at Federation of American Scientists
Nearly a year after becoming the first union in the nearly 80-year history of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), 25 IAM District 4 members have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement, securing workplace protections, greater transparency, and a stronger voice on the job. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) was established in 1945 by scientists
Steelers roster spotlight: Can Rico Dowdle make history in Pittsburgh?
As the Pittsburgh Steelers move closer to the 2026 season, we’re taking a closer look at every player on the roster, with RB Rico Dowdle up next.
New survey shows lackluster support for 250th Anniversary of Declaration of Independence
The split in pride in America's history is nearly the same as 50 years ago during the bicentennial celebrations.
Nigel Mansell auctions F1 memorabilia for charity
Motorsport fans will be able to buy pieces of Formula 1 history at the auction.
Cowboys countdown to kickoff: Top 100 iconic games
We countdown 100 days until kickoff with a series of the most iconic games in Cowboys history. Today is Day 74
There’s already a history with both Miami and …
There’s already a history with both Miami and …
Sony will cease production of discs for new PlayStation games in 2028
New games sold for PlayStation consoles will only be available digitally and won’t be sold on discs effective January 2028, Sony has announced. The move applies to all PlayStation games released from that point on, including those made by Sony and those released by third parties. The PlayStation group calls the change “a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs,” according to a PlayStation blog post reviewed by Game File in advance of its publication. As movies, TV and music have shifted from physical media to an age of downloads and streaming, Sony’s move could speed the demise of physical media in a gaming. The industry has offered consumers games via cartridges, cassettes, floppy discs, CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays across a 50-year stretch. Sony has been reporting to investors in recent years that PlayStation games have been increasingly purchased as downloads, not as discs. The most recent figures show nearly four in five purchases of full games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were purchased digitally in the past year. Stats like that may cause today’s news to carry an air of the inevitable. But Sony’s declaration for 2028 is still likely to produce a shock, as the biggest gaming platform on the planet that uses game discs leaves them behind. Discs going away, but the fate of game boxes is unknown Sony is committing to still selling games in physical retailers even after they drop discs in 2028. Just how those games will be sold—in boxes with codes inside, as cards marked with digital redemption codes—is unclear. Digital games will also continue to be sold in the online PlayStation Store. New games released for PlayStation consoles prior to January 2028 will be unaffected by the policy change, Sony says. That means the PS5 games of 2027, be they a new Madden, a new God of War, a new Call of Duty, a new Sly Cooper (one can dream?), would still potentially be offered on disc. PlayStation 6 implications Sony’s timeline for a transition to a no-disc era will also spin up more speculation about the timing and configuration of Sony’s next-generation console, the probable PlayStation 6. “This pretty much guarantees that PS6 won’t arrive until 2028 at the earliest,” Piers Harding-Rolls, senior games research analyst at Ampere Analysis tells Game File. Harding-Rolls also concludes from today’s news that “the base version of a PS6 will not include a physical media drive,” as Sony looks to keep costs down on the device. Sony itself is saying nothing about the PS6 today: not its timing, nor how it might or might not support internal or external disc drives in order to run disc-based PS4 and PS5 games, should the console be backwards compatible. The many signs this was coming Industry support for games being released on physical media has been waning. As has consumer interest in them. PC games effectively went all-digital years ago, thanks to the popularity of playing games through Steam and other digital storefronts. The Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns that kept much of the global population home helped shift shopping patterns toward downloads. Sony’s own data shows PlayStation game downloads being an uncommon consumer choice a decade ago and now becoming the norm. On consoles, physical media has been in such decline that Sony and Microsoft both launched their current gen Xbox Series and PS5 consoles in 2020 with cheaper versions that lacked disc drives. In early 2024, Phil Spencer, then head of Xbox, told me that ““[w]e ship games physically and digitally, and we’re really just following what the customers are doing.” He added that the game industry had become an outlier in still supporting disc-based entertainment, even as movies and TV have bailed on discs in favor of downloads and steaming: “Gaming consoles themselves have kind of become the last consumer electronic device that has a drive. And this is a real issue, just in terms of the number of manufacturers that are actually building drives and the cost associated with those. And when you think about cogs that we’re going to go put in a console—and as you have fewer suppliers and fewer buyers—the cost of the drive does have an impact.” Last year, the Nintendo’s Switch 2, which uses cartridges rather than discs, introduced the concept of game-key cards, which are physical media that contain no game, just a prompt for a download. Even disc-based games aren’t what they once were, now frequently containing just stubs of games rather than the whole thing. The website Does It Play has tested over 3000 games and found that, for example, that the disc version of this year’s hit 007: First Light, only contained the game’s first mission, with the rest needing to be downloaded. Beyond all that, last week brought the news that Grand Theft Auto VI, likely the biggest game launch this decade, will debut for PS5 and Xbox Series without a disc-based version. Today’s big news comes to you for free. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and ensure more of my work is possible, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Discs helped define PlayStation However the trends in entertainment may be going, it is still remarkable to see PlayStation ditch discs given their importance in PlayStation history: In the late 1990s, the first PlayStation’s support for games on relatively cheap CD-ROMs instead of traditional game cartridges allowed the upstart console to outmaneuver cartridge-based systems from Nintendo and Sega, as it drove down game prices down in the process. (The cheaper disc format even prompted Final Fantasy VII maker Square to taunt Nintendo in a magazine ad, saying that if the game was “available on cartridge, it’d retail for around $1200.”) PlayStation devices often doubled as machines for watching movies and TV on the latest disc-based formats. In the late 2000s, for example, Sony’s pricy PS3 gained traction as a go-to device for playing then-novel Blu-Ray discs. In 2013, Sony effectively roasted the digital game-sharing restrictions proposed by rival Microsoft for its upcoming Xbox One console by showing how games could be shared for the then-upcoming PS4. In a 21-second clip that has over 20 million views on YouTube, one PlayStation executive simply handed a game box—presumably with disc inside—to another, who said “thanks.” Sony’s possible motivations The PlayStation announcement today cites “consumer preferences” and a shift away from discs among “the broader entertainment industry,” but does not delve into the decision-making process that brought Sony to this point. Sony is not discussing the economics of this move (I asked!), but there are a number of potential factors: Abandoning discs will spare Sony the cost of manufacturing and shipping them, which analysts and industry veterans I spoke to said could account for $1 or so of a game’s retail price. For first-party games, that’s direct savings for Sony, though the amount is limited by the winnowing percentage of people who were even buying the disc-based versions. For third-party games, Sony could pass the savings on to partners or just retain the better profit margin for themselves. As the 2024 comments from Phil Spencer alluded to, leaving discs behind could mean leaving disc-drives behind, allowing Sony to produce consoles more cheaply. Switching to digital-only for games could diminish the risks of copies of new games leaking. It would also seemingly make second-hand sales of used games impossible, pushing more people to buy their own copies of games. These economic benefits for Sony could be boons for the games industry overall, Ampere analyst Piers Harding-Rolls tells Game File. Among other things, it could free publishers and retailers from having to worry about securing an inventory of game discs when trying to sell games, he noted. “If there is a way to streamline the business of games retail, I generally think it’s a good thing for the industry as it removes unnecessary costs,” Harding-Rolls said. “This will help offset pressure on margins from other directions – development and staffing costs for example.” Should the industry shift from game boxes that contain discs to smaller, cheaper game cards, Harding-Rolls said, that reduces pressure on publishers and retailers. “The advantage of everything going digital for the industry is that sales can be tracked much more easily and there is less commercial risk for publishers wanting to continue selling via retail,” he said. The shift to no discs will also likely impact game development timelines, as developers will no longer face the same urgency to have a build ready to submit to PlayStation for the production of a disc, as industry experts noted around GTA VI’s no-disc news last week. Instead, projects may gain weeks of development time, in the event delivery deadlines for platform approval move closer to release date. Preservationists’ likely worries While millions of gamers have shifted to digital, there are still people who associate game discs—and only game discs—with actual ownership of PlayStation games. That portion of the gaming community spoke up last week about wanting to buy a version of GTA VI that they could hold in their hands, could lend to a friend and could potentially pop into a well-preserved PS5 console three decades from now and still see it run. Such gamers didn’t want to worry that they’d merely purchased a digital copy that could lose access to the game if, say, the company behind the game someday turns of the servers that transmit downloadable copies. Digital copies of games are inherently less long-lasting, because consumers aren’t actually buying a game (on a disc), just buying access to the game. The fine print in online gaming shops notes this, as does a recent law that went on the books in California in 2025. That lasw requires game publishers doing business in the state to refrain from words like “sell” when offering digital copies of games, unless they explicitly tell consumers that what’s being sold isn’t the game itself but a potentially revocable license to access it. A Sony spokesperson noted to Game File that “[w]ith all digital content, including games, movies, and music, players are purchasing a personal license for non-commercial use.” Regarding the fears of PlayStation games being lost to time in an all-digital era, the rep also noted that Sony remains “committed to delivering experiences from past generations to the new platforms our players are using.” They noted that PlayStation has used emulation and remasters to keep offering its classic games to modern gamers. It’s true that many consumers have become accustomed to not having physical copies of new music albums or movies, but the relative precariousness of digital copies of games is in fact being highlighted today by…. Sony’s other big announcement: the upcoming closure of the PS3 and PS Vita online stores Sony said today that it will be closing the online marketplaces for its PlayStation 3 console and PS Vita handheld in most countries in July 2027 (sooner elsewhere: August 2026 for the PS3 store Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua; late 2026 for PS3 in other Latin American countries and the Middle East). “We know this news may be disappointing to PS3 and PS Vita players who hold a special place in their hearts for this generation of gaming,” Sony said in its announcement, saying the move “was not an easy decision for us to make.” Sony said that PS3 and Vita marketplaces “are no longer able” to support modern commerce systems, prompting a “need” to close the shops and focus on more modern PlayStation platform stores. The news may spark some deja vu. Sony announced back in March 2021 that it planned to take the PS3, Vita and PlayStation Portable marketplaces offline that summer. The move would have caused some 2,000 digital-only games to become unavailable for new purchasers, according to a VGC analysis at the time. Fans complained loudly. By April 2021, Sony walked back the PS3 and Vita shop closures, with then PlayStation boss Jim Ryan saying “it’s clear that we made the wrong decision here.” This time around, Sony is giving a longer notice period in most regions. The closure of those stores is still likely to cut off access to new purchases of digital-only PS3 and Vita games. The current PlayStation 5 marketplace sells PS5 and PS4 games, as well as a selection of PS1 and PS2 games. It does not sell PS3 games, because games for that platform can’t run on the system (some are offered via a PlayStation Plus streaming option). Vita games also aren’t sold via PS5. Sony says digitally purchased PS3 and Vita games will be downloadable after the stores’ shutdowns “for the foreseeable future.” Sony’s move contrasts with Microsoft’s Xbox platform, which continues to sell and support games from all four Xbox console generations. But it puts it in line with Nintendo, which disabled purchases in the marketplace for its Wii console (a contemporary of the PS3) in 2019. Nintendo discontinued purchases in the online shop for its 3DS portable (a contemporary of the Vita) in 2023. The big questions about Sony’s 2028 post-disc era Will Microsoft follow suit, ending support for new disc-based games on Xbox platforms and therefore all game consoles, too? Whether Microsoft does or not, will third-parties that can no longer release games on discs for PlayStation, simply ditch the disc options across the board? Given the GTA VI no-disc experiment launching this November, will more game publishers decide to forgo disc-based offerings even in 2027? How will no-disc PS5/6 games be packaged and sold in brick-and-mortar retail stores? What becomes of game sharing in an all-digital era? Will Sony modify its current set-up, which currently allows some sharing of digital games across a pair of consoles, to allow more casual lending? (See for example, Nintendo’s year-old system of letting players lend a digital game to another player in a “family group” for up to 14 days.) Will there be a version of a PS6 with a disc drive? Or will a drive be offered as an add-on? And how will gamers who want to retain access to PS4/PS5 disc-based games react to whichever configurations Sony chooses to offer? What will the final disc-based PlayStation game be?
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