The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. 

This week's story:

• Sony announces it will end physical disc production by January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles
• Microsoft confirms 3200 layoffs alongside four studio divestments in major shakeup for Xbox

Hosted by industry experts, Tom and Alex, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/
• https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/07/06/resetting-xbox/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/original-switch-console-lineup-to-be-discontinued-in-europe-by-mid-february-2027
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/video-game-history-foundation-calls-on-the-esa-to-find-a-way-to-legally-preserve-digital-only-games-for-research/