‘Your code is physically yours, forever. Until you lose it, let’s be real’: Github, wagging its finger at Sony’s own goal, is offering CD-ROMs of your code for a few days
GitHub announced it will allow developers to preserve their public code repositories on CD-ROMs, in a cheeky response to recent industry debate over physical versus digital media. The announcement comes as Sony confirmed the PlayStation 6 console will be digital-only, continuing the industry trend away from physical game ownership.
GitHub’s offer appears to be commentary on Sony’s decision and broader concerns about digital preservation and content ownership. The company framed the CD-ROM option as a way to ensure code remains accessible indefinitely, sidestepping reliance on cloud services and corporate platforms.
The move references a decades-old rivalry between Sony and Microsoft—Sony previously mocked Microsoft’s approach to game sharing in a PS4 promotional video, and GitHub (owned by Microsoft) is now using this moment to highlight the value of physical media and permanent code ownership. While the CD-ROM offer is tongue-in-cheek and unlikely to be widely adopted, it taps into growing concerns within developer and gaming communities about the long-term accessibility of digital content and the risks of platforms disappearing or restricting access.