SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " lope " 2,467 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
IndyCar and iRacing Studios spill details on series' first video game in twenty years
"IndyCar Racing The Game" will be released in early 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via Steam, developed by iRacing Studios.
MAGA's attack on science is even worse than it looks
In my post on America’s 250-year anniversary, I argued that respect for the individual was the “secret sauce” in the U.S.’ long-lasting preeminence among nations. But it was certainly not the only factor. There were plenty of institutional innovations that helped the U.S. stay on top — economically, militarily, and in terms of the attractiveness of its society. One of these was American science. Today we take things like the modern research university, government grants for science, public-to-private research spinoffs, etc. for granted, but a lot of that infrastructure wasn’t there before World War 2. It was either invented or scaled up massively by the U.S. government in the postwar period, led by far-sighted scientist-bureaucrats like Vannevar Bush (pictured above). If you want to read about this history, a good place to start would be Jonathan Gruber and Simon Johnson’s excellent book Jump-Starting America. Those scientific institutions didn’t exist in a vacuum, however. They were backed by the U.S. government’s abiding faith in the power of science — and, even more fundamentally, by deep popular trust in the scientific enterprise. Science gave us radar and the atom bomb in wartime, and in peacetime it gave us plastics, vaccines, cheap food, and a thousand other things that made our lives easier. Science was also the driver behind American industry — chemicals, aerospace, telecommunications, computers, electronics, and so on. We owed science our jobs, our livelihoods, our comfortable living standards, and our greatness and power as a nation. It’s little wonder that both political parties, even as they fought viciously over other issues, were steadfast in their support of science. For a long time, the only people who distrusted science were a hippie fringe on the left who disliked modernity (or thought they did, anyway), who also disliked American industry and American power, and who subscribed to an early version of degrowth environmentalism. America’s scientific enterprise is still strong, especially compared to the systems in Europe, Japan, Korea, and other developed countries. It has lost a lot of ground to China in a relative sense, but a lot of that is because of China’s incredible growth; as China has poured untold amounts of money and talent into its research labs, spending and output have overtaken the U.S. by some measures. There are a few ways in which China’s rise creates problems for American science — for example, top scientists can choose to work in China instead of in the U.S. — and of course there’s the concern that China’s technological strength will help its military to reign supreme. But overall, China’s rise in science should be good for American science, since American scientists can use Chinese discoveries for free and build on them. The much bigger problem is that the scientific enterprise America built during and after World War 2 is now being threatened with absolute decline. The biggest problem, of course, is that much of the country — the Republican half — has basically lost faith in the scientific enterprise. To what degree this loss of faith is justified is an open question, and deserves to be discussed openly. But the larger point — that the system that powered American dominance is under threat — is true either way. Most Americans still trust science, but MAGA Republicans don’t There’s a myth, popular in right-wing circles, that scientists have lost the trust of regular Americans — either due to the increasingly left-wing composition of academic departments, or to misbehavior during Covid, or to DEI-related research taking over science, etc. This also fits with a wider narrative that Americans are losing trust in all of our institutions. But it just isn’t true. Poll after poll shows that on the whole, Americans still trust scientists and want to spend more on science. For example, here’s a Pew poll from late 2025 showing that although about a fifth of Republicans did lose confidence in science in 2020, two thirds still have at least “a fair amount” of confidence: That same poll found that scientists are among America’s most trusted groups — even better trusted than the military! In fact, Americans trust scientists more than people in most other countries do. Other polls show that although Republican trust in science has dropped somewhat, Republican support for spending more on science remains very strong: A Pew poll in 2023 found the exact same thing: So when MAGA types tell you about scientists losing their credibility, or a drop in trust in science, they’re only talking about themselves. Whatever left-wing politicization of science happened during the Biden administration — and there was definitely some of that — it was not enough to make most Republicans lose faith in the scientific enterprise, or favor research cuts in order to purge unwanted ideology from the system. That doesn’t mean I think progressives should continue down the path of politicizing scientific research. They should not, and Biden made real missteps in this area. Objectivity clearly matters for public trust of science in the long term. But as of right now, there’s no crisis of trust in science, except among the smallish minority of people who are running around screaming that there’s a crisis of trust in science. But despite science’s overwhelming popularity and public trust, Trump and his administration are launching an unprecedented and devastating attack on American science — cutting funding, and forcing science projects to undergo ideological review by government commissars. Trump’s comprehensive attack on science
Jennifer Lopez stuns in show-stopping naked dress
Jennifer Lopez never fails to turn heads.
Deal with developer could lead to new sports stadium in Rochester
Rochester’s city council unanimously approved an exclusive agreement with Wisconsin-based Landmark Development. It gives the company six months to decide if it wants to build a facility on a piece of city-owned land downtown.
Rams’ guard tandem has become one of the NFL’s best
Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson have developed into one of the NFL’s best tandems at guard entering the 2026 season.
Rocket developers used to chase satellite trends. Is the inverse now true?
The Starship Pez dispenser demonstrates very smart industrial design and scale."
Sony Settles With Fired Marathon Game Director Who Sued PlayStation and Bungie for More Than $200 Million, Adds Name to Credits
Sony has reached a settlement with former developer Christopher Barrett, who it had accused of sexual misconduct. As a result of the settlement, Barrett will be added to the credits of recently released extraction shooter Marathon.
‘The Invite’: When Does Olivia Wilde’s New Comedy Hit Streaming?
Wilde directs a script by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack and costars with Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
Rochester seeks developers for last vacant Science Park sites
Rochester is seeking developers for two vacant Science Park parcels near CityGate and UR, targeting research, office and manufacturing projects.
Destiny 2 Players Get One Last Surprise from Bungie, Developer Reveals Limited Support Plans
Bungie has given Destiny 2 one last surprise as a farewell gift and revealed its limited support plans for the game.
UAMS, ACH Present School-Based Mental Health Symposium on July 29-30
LITTLE ROCK — The 2026 School-Based Mental Health Symposium will be presented July 29 and 30 by the Arkansas Mental Health Access for Pediatric Primary Care, a program developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) to improve mental health access for children…
News | Former Macy’s in downtown Brooklyn to become entertainment hub
Developers pitch BKX as largest contiguous retail space available in New York
Trump’s Foreign Licensing Business Grew 900% As He Returned To Power
The developer-in-chief is showing just how lucrative an unrestrained presidency can be.
Only 48% of current radiologist job listings include a salary estimate
That’s according to a new analysis from radiology artificial intelligence developer Kirill Lopatin, released on July 7.
DOOM's Developer id Software Has Supposedly Lost Around 50% Of Its Team
The Xbox layoffs have been absolute hell
INCUBASE Studio Accelerates Collectible Entertainment with GochaGocha's 23-Location Asia Debut of a New Photo Card Experience
INCUBASE Studio is expanding its IP entertainment ecosystem with the launch of GochaGocha, a new smart photo card machine platform developed by subsidiary INCUTix. Following a rapid rollout across 23 locations in Hong Kong, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok in early June, GochaGocha introduces a new channel connecting fans with officially licensed content through discovery, collectability and convenience.
Palworld Early Access tops 40 million players
Open-world survival crafting game Palworld has surpassed 40 million players ahead of its version 1.0 release this week, developer Pocketpair announced.
Meta Launches New Image Generation Tool for Consumers and Businesses
Meta has begun rolling out an image generation model available in Meta AI. Muse Image is the first such model developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs,
Chasen bankruptcy: Baltimore developer grilled by lawyers on business associates
Former Baltimore real estate mogul Brandon Chasen distanced himself from irregularities that appeared in his business empire’s finances during the lead-up to its collapse.
Ask an Antelope: Sara Bruner helps students discover healthcare careers
"Investing in health science education is an investment in the future health and well-being of our state."
Trump's FIFA call opens a 'slippery slope,' says sports columnist Christine Brennan
NPR's A Martinez speaks with USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan about the World Cup match between the U.S. and Belgium and the lifted suspension of a U.S. star forward.
Doom developer id reportedly cut in half as part of Xbox layoffs
A legendary studio is losing a lot of staff.
Orbitals voice cast announced, opening animation
Publisher Kepler Interactive and developer Shapefarm have announced the the international voice cast and released the opening animation for classic retro anime-inspired cooperative adventure game O…
Scientists enable DNA synthesis using only temperature instead of chemical reagents
"Complex chemical processes are essential for making DNA." This long-held assumption in the field of biotechnology has been overturned by a Korean research team. A KAIST research team has developed the ...
Disney Dreamlight Valley is getting some overdue fixes for free alongside paid DLC
Developer Gameloft has revealed the content and fixes you can expect to get for free when the paid Winnie the Pooh Adventure Pack drops tomorrow.
Obsidian Entertainment Hit Hard by Xbox Cuts
As part of the huge cuts across Xbox that began yesterday, Avowed and Outer Worlds 2 developer Obsidian Entertainment has been hit pretty hard, with around 25% of staff cut from the Xbox Studio. That’s according to a report from Rebekah Valentine over at Kotaku, who shared that her sources advised around 60-70 members of […]
Siri AI can pull info from third-party apps in the latest developer beta
We’ve been looking out for new features in iOS 27 beta 3, and we’ve now found an additional one: the...
Incredible new material makes heat programmable
A newly developed material can control and "program" heat, allowing it to direct thermal radiation, switch modes, and remember its settings without continuous power. The innovation could lead to smarter infrared sensors, better energy technologies, and memory devices that use light and heat instead of electrical charges.
Argonne team’s ChemGraph unlocks AI for chemistry and materials science
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a framework, ChemGraph, that uses artificial intelligence to help nonexperts access computational chemistry expertise.
Wisconsin STEM shuttle program marks 20 years of taking science on the road
The STEM Shuttle, created by retired Wausau teacher Sharon Ryan, is marking its 20th year traveling to schools across Wisconsin. The program grew out of Dream Flight Wausau, a 1990 project Ryan developed while teaching at John Marshall Elementary School in the Wausau School District.
Two More Retro Arcade Collections Are On The Way To Switch
Featuring 16 Jaleco-developed titles each
Jaleco Arcade Collection Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 launch this winter for PS5, Switch, and PC
Jaleco Arcade Collection Vol. 1 and Jaleco Arcade Collection Vol. 2, each featuring 16 Jaleco-developed arcade titles from the 1980s and 1990s, will launch for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC via Ste…
Pokémon GO Developer Niantic Changes Its Name And Logo
Scopely Explore "reflects a mission"
Here's what's new with iOS 27 beta 3
Apple released iOS 27 beta 3 today, giving developers the second follow-up update since iOS 27 debuted at WWDC. The...
AMD Ryzen AI Halo First Look: Giant Local AI Power in a Pint-Sized Box
I’ve received one of AMD’s first official AI developer boxes for testing, and it’s an impressive piece of AI hardware with a super-simple setup.
Apple Seeds Third iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Betas to Developers
Apple today seeded the third betas of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the second betas. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. iOS 27 introduces Apple's smarter version of Siri, Siri AI.
Mario Lopez responds to being labeled a Trump supporter: ‘I’m not a political person’
Mario Lopez responded to reports that he supports Donald Trump in a since-deleted Instagram comment.
Alibaba’s A.I. Is a Hit, but Hard to Turn Into a Moneymaker
The Chinese company’s models have won over developers worldwide, but they are open source — so they can be used and modified freely.
Ryzen AI Developer Platform: AMD's Own Linux Distribution Built Atop Debian
With the AMD Ryzen AI Halo developer platform there is the option of ordering this Ryzen AI Max+ mini PC with either Microsoft Windows 11 or 'Linux OS'.
As Small Business Owners Retire, Worker Cooperatives Could Help Close Wealth Gap » NCRC
Learn more about NCRC member Cooperative Fund of the Northeast (CFNE)'s work in collaboration with nonprofit developers the Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) and ICA Group helping business owners in the Northeast through the business conversion process and supporting employees as they become new owners.
Palworld developer confirms when the version 1.0 update will go live
We're just days away now from the highly-anticipated 1.0 launch of Palworld, and we finally have an idea of when the update is actually going to arrive.
New workflow tool gives scientists a clearer view of how DNA is regulated
Researchers from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at NUS have developed a new method that allows scientists to better understand how DNA is organized and regulated inside cells. ...
Steam Rules Must Change, Developer Says, After Players Praise Bitesize Game But Are Allowed to Refund It Anyway
A Steam game developer has called for the storefront's refund policy to be changed, after players who praised its bitesize game were still able to get their money back.
Palworld Dev Offers Approximate Release Time for 1.0 Update, Says Players Do Not Need to Wipe Their Data but They Really Should
Palworld’s hotly anticipated 1.0 update launches this week, on July 10, and now developer Pocketpair has narrowed the release timing down, while issuing existing players an official recommendation on whether they should wipe their data for it.
There's one group of Android users Google's new sideloading rules won't affect
LineageOS says Google's new developer verification system for sideloading apps on Android will not affect devices running its custom ROM.
Shrinking the Pomp: Developers Scale Back Plans for Entertainment District
The Pomp Pompano Beach LIVE Venue changes: Developers scale back the entertainment district plan to four buildings and 170 parking spaces in 2026.
Meccha Chameleon tops another milestone, selling 15 million copies in less than 30 days
The indie developer said "thanks a million", promising "a new collaboration with a famous Japanese star" is dropping next week.
For the 2014 film Interstellar, director Christopher Nolan hired Caltech physicist Kip Thorne as his science consultant — and the visual simulations Thorne helped design for the film's black hole were so mathematically accurate that they generated two peer-reviewed scientific papers and became the model for how astrophysicists visualize black holes today
In late 2012, when the American film director Christopher Nolan formally took over the production of a Warner Brothers science-fiction project that had been drifting through Hollywood development since approximately 2005 (originally intended for Steven Spielberg, based on a screenplay concept the film producer Lynda Obst had developed jointly with the Caltech theoretical physicist Kip […]
Lopez homers, Alcantara leads Marlins past Athletics
Otto Lopez padded his MLB-leading average with three hits while Sandy Alcantara fanned eight over eight dominant innings, lifting Miami to their eighth victory in eleven games.
Entrepreneur behind Matthew's Mattress reflects on over three decades in business
Kevin Matthews launched his first Matthew’s Mattress store over three decades years ago in the Bay Area. At his peak, he developed his own mattress brand and managed a total of 12 stores. Now he’s ready to retire, he says.
iOS 27 beta 2 hints at AirPods Pro with cameras: Here's what we know so far
Spotted by developer Sam Henri Gold on Twitter, iOS 27 beta 2 includes references to an upcoming Apple product codenamed...
The New Anthropic Tool That Could Change How Drugs Are Developed
Introducing Claude Science, the AI platform designed to expedite the discovery of promising new therapies. Anthropic will also use it in-house to pursue innovative treatments for 'neglected' diseases.
'She's Special': Harper’s Corner Wire-To-Wire Winner Of Schuylerville
Charles Bigg’s Harper’s Corner made every pole a winning one in Friday’s $200,000 Schuylerville (L), a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies on opening day at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Cathal Lynch and piloted by Paco Lopez, the dark bay who became the first stakes winner for her sire, ...
Oppressive Heat Alters Plans for 250th Celebrations in Washington
The 100-degree-plus heat that has enveloped the nation’s capital shut down the Great American State Fair until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Danganronpa 2×2 delayed to early 2027; ‘Slayhem Mode’ and enhanced world map detailed
Publisher Spike Chunsoft and developer Gemdrops have delayed Danganronpa 2×2 from its previously planned 2026 release window to early 2027. It will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series,…
iOS 27 Beta Hints at New Apple Product Such as 'AirPods Ultra'
The second iOS 27 developer beta seemingly hints at a new Apple product, according to code uncovered by app designer and developer Sam Henri Gold. The code mentions a product codenamed B790 that can relay "two images from cameras on either side of user's head". Gold speculated that the code could be referring to Apple's rumored smart glasses, but another possibility is AirPods with cameras, which are reportedly further along in development. AirPods Pro 3 were codenamed B788.
'A Great Foundation for Our Upcoming Projects in This Universe' — CD Projekt Hails Cyberpunk 2077 as It Hits an Incredible 40 Million Copies Sold
CD Projekt has hailed the success of Cyberpunk 2077, announcing it has now hit the 40 million copies sold mark. That’s up 5 million copies from the last time the developer announced Cyberpunk 2077 sales, back in November when it hit 35 million.
Drew Litton: The unifying power of sport
The cartoonist looks at the impact of soccer's World Cup and sees a dynamic that extends well beyond the pitch.
Cubs Minor League Wrap: Smokies shut out Columbus, 1-0
Iowa, Knoxville and Myrtle Beach all win. South Bend gets walloped.
This satellite constellation transformed earth science by creatively tuning in to GPS signals
When NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, or CYGNSS, launched into orbit in 2016, none of the University of Michigan Engineering researchers who developed the system expected it to transform ...
NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day
The "marathon a month" scheme, developed with former Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster, will launch early next year.
VivoPower Reinforces Focus on AI Data Center Business and Provides Update on Non-Core Businesses
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, July 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower PLC (NASDAQ: VIVO) (“VivoPower” or the “Company”), a B Corp-certified global developer and owner of powered land and data center infrastructure for AI compute applications, today provides the following update in respect of its strategic direction and the previously announced separation initiatives relating to its subsidiaries Tembo e-LV B.V. (“Tembo”) and Caret Digital (“Caret Digital”). Following a strategic review, the Board o
Business Journal wins two California Journalism Awards
The Business Journal earned two California Journalism Awards for Frank Lopez's reporting on Central Valley agriculture and the wine industry.
Top ‘Suicide Squad’ Developers Say the Flop Made Them Not Want to Make Games Anymore
The director and top designer of Rocksteady’s failed game open up about their experiences
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.
iOS 27 public beta release date: When you can install the new iPhone update
iOS 27 is currently only available in developer beta, but there’s a public beta coming soon. Here’s when to expect the iOS 27 public beta.
ONTOS delayed to 2027
Publisher Kepler Interactive and developer Frictional Games have delayed science-fiction mystery thriller ONTOS from its previously planned 2026 release window to 2027. It will be available for Pla…
Avowed, The Outer Worlds, and Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian Entertainment Reportedly Also at Risk of Closure Amid Xbox 'Reset'
Avowed and The Outer Worlds developer Obsidian is reportedly also at risk of closure amid Microsoft’s “reset” of the Xbox business.
Avowed, The Outer Worlds, and Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian Entertainment Reportedly Also at Risk of Closure Amid Xbox 'Reset'
Avowed and The Outer Worlds developer Obsidian is reportedly also at risk of closure amid Microsoft’s “reset” of the Xbox business.
A Strange Attempt To Revive The 3DO Is Already Dead
A long-defunct developer returned from the dead promising to revive the 3DO, but quickly pulled its pledge when it became apparent it didn't have the right to.
Attack on Titan 3 launches this winter, first gameplay
Attack on Titan 3 will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Steam this winter, publisher Koei Tecmo and developer Omega Force announced.
Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 hits Pixel phones with a major milestone for developers
The public release is just that much closer
Krafton settles with Subnautica 2 developer after drawn-out dispute over $250 million
The battle is over.
Subnautica 2 studio Unknown Worlds' CEO resigns as Krafton agrees to pay $250m bonus
Krafton has settled its lawsuit with the former leadership team of Subnautica 2 developer, Unknown Worlds, and agreed t…
Krafton Agrees to Pay ‘Subnautica 2’ Bonuses as Developer’s CEO Resigns
After being fired over a $250 million payout dispute and then reinstated, Unknown Worlds Entertainment boss Ted Gill is leaving again
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?
Xbox ends deal to fund and publish IO Interactive's Project Fantasy; redundancies expected
Developer says it must "adapt to new reality" as Xbox reshapes investment priorities
Jennifer Lopez says her 'biggest growth spurts' have come after breakups: 'What could I have done better?'
Jennifer Lopez, who has been divorced four times, says her 'biggest growth spurts' have come after breakups: 'What could I have done better?'
Scientists teach human cells to compute like tiny computers
Researchers have developed a way to program human cells to perform calculations and make autonomous decisions, similar to how computer chips work.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for Switch 2 launches August 11
The Switch 2 version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will launch on August 11, publisher Bethesda Softworks and developer Bethesda Game Studios announced. Pre-orders for the physical e…
‘That would be insanity’: Baldur’s Gate 2 lead says he turned down Hasbro’s request to make Baldur’s Gate 4
Baldur’s Gate 2 developers declined a request to make a sequel to Larian’s third entry…
Xbox is reportedly considering closing State of Decay developer Undead Labs
Having a promising project like State of Decay 3 in development is seemingly not enough to save Undead Labs from being shuttered, according to new reports.
Developer addresses community concerns around Franklin youth sports complex project
The project, proposed by developer BLVD Capital, would transform Brownland Farm, a 233-acre property on Hillsboro Road just outside downtown Franklin, into “The Banks at Brownland.”
Penelope Keith, British sitcom icon, dies at 86 after health battle
Actress Penelope Keith, best known for her roles on the British sitcoms "The Good Life" and "To the Manor Born," has died. She was 86.
Downtown Clearwater site cleared for $50M EVO entertainment complex
Developers cleared the site for a $50M EVO entertainment complex in downtown Clearwater, advancing the project toward construction.
FAIR Health Price-Informed Tools Support Healthcare Decisions Among Diverse Older Adults
/PRNewswire/ -- Price-informed shared decision-making tools developed by FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit, can facilitate meaningful healthcare...
Xbox reportedly pausing new third-party Game Pass deals, developers say
Developers in line for Game Pass deals ‘got the rug pulled from under them’ it’s claimed…
Lux and Samira announced for 2XKO
After the finals for 2XKO at Evo 2026 today, the developers decided to treat us to something special — namely a full reveal of the remaining characters for the game's first season.It was shown that Lux, the Lady of ...
Efzimfotase alfa demonstrated improvements in bone health in treatment-naïve pediatric patients with hypophosphatasia achieving median difference of 1.67 vs placebo in RGI-C Score at week 25 in MULBERRY Phase III trial
Positive results from the MULBERRY Phase III trial showed that efzimfotase alfa (ALXN1850), an investigational enzyme replacement therapy, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in bone health in children (2 to
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Release Schedule: Why iOS 27 Signals September Date
The just-released second developer beta of the next iPhone software helps confirm what is likely to happen and when for the next iPhones’ release date.
AI coding agents gain trust as developers skip reviews
AI coding agents like Cursor are increasingly trusted to work autonomously, with a rise in AI-generated code reaching production directly.
Star Wars Eclipse "literally cannot be finished" without more staff, insist striking Quantic Dream developers
Striking staff at Quantic Dream have warned that if the studio proceeds with layoffs, its upcoming Star Wars Eclipse game "literally cannot be finished".
Guilty Gear: Strive DLC character Robo=Ky launches July 2
Guilty Gear: Strive downloadable content character Robo=Kuy will launch on July 2, developer Arc System Works announced.
Star Wars Eclipse in danger of cancelation, claim striking Quantic Dream developers
Workers protested in Paris over proposed layoffs at the Star Wars Eclipse studio…
Quantic Dream Developers Strike to Save Star Wars Eclipse, Warning that 115 Layoffs Would Doom the Unfinished Game
Quantic Dream developers are striking to save Star Wars Eclipse, warning that 115 layoffs would leave the unfinished game without a future.
‘This is a safe place.' Angel City Games celebrates adaptive sports
The three-day event at El Camino College is bringing together people of all ages and skill levels. Lolita Lopez reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026.
'The Invite' review: Olivia Wilde's sex comedy is outrageous fun
Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton dazzle as flirty neighbors.
Samsung will soon start charging to access its smart home API
Regular users could get caught by Samsung’s new $4.99 monthly charge for individual developers.
Elroy Air to Become Publicly Traded Company via Business Combination with Inflection Point-led SPAC
Elroy Air, Inc., a leading U.S.-based technology developer of autonomous heavy-cargo drones for defense, rapid response and commercial logistics, and Columbu...