French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon declares ‘Players have rights too!’ over the death of physical discs
French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon has voiced strong opposition to major gaming industry announcements about phasing out physical media. Both Grand Theft Auto 6 and PlayStation have confirmed they’re transitioning to digital-only releases, eliminating physical disc sales. This shift has sparked significant controversy among gamers and reignited important debates about game ownership, consumer rights, and game preservation in an increasingly digital market.
Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, took to social media to argue that “Videogames are not mere merchandise—they are cultural assets,” calling for stronger protections for players. The transition to digital-only distribution raises concerns about consumer autonomy and long-term preservation, as digital ownership typically grants users limited licenses rather than permanent ownership rights. Players face potential permanent loss of access if digital storefronts close or services are discontinued.
Game designer Hideo Kojima has expressed pessimistic views on the future of game ownership under digital-only models. The loss of physical media removes consumer options to resell, trade, or independently archive games, concentrating control in the hands of digital platform operators.