PlayStation stops tracking playtime for physical PS5 games before Sony goes all-digital

Fans were already frustrated over PlayStation’s decision to stop producing new PS5 discs in 2028. Recently, players noticed that their PSN profiles show incorrect playtimes. Curiously, the issue predominantly affects physical games, amplifying the fury over Sony’s exclusively digital strategy.

What's causing the 0 hour bug?

Yappyboi1 is one of many Redditors who reported 0 hours displayed on console dashboards. In this case, the corrupted data involved Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and GTA 5 discs. A separate poster confirmed that digital games showed the correct playtime, but not Blu-ray-based titles such as Expedition 33.

The same gamer speculates that adding a digital license solves the problem. Another physical game which had downloadable DLC, Persona 3, was not impacted.

In all likelihood, the PSN profile bug isn’t connected to Sony prioritizing sales through the PS Store. Around the middle of June, PS5 console owners began seeing random adult games in their recently played lists. Sony removed the spam, but at the expense of statistics like hours played.

PlayStation Support continues to acknowledge the issue, but doesn’t provide many details or an ETA for a fix. Regardless, supporters of tangible media feel as if they are being punished. For now, PS5 discs remain accessible, but collecting them can introduce other compromises.

Another reason to resist digital

GTA 6 is an example of how purchasing physical games in retail cases comes with fewer perks. Instead of a Blu-ray inside, buyers who pre-order the Rockstar phenomenon will find a redeemable code. The studio may still include a paper map, but the format rules out trading or reselling in the future.

These gamers are also often forced to rely on downloads despite discs being available. Even when files fit on PS5 Blu-rays, day-one updates may be required. Reluctant consumers can’t entirely avoid being thrust into the era of digital games.

The PSN profile playtime snafu doesn’t prevent launching titles or enjoying immersive gameplay. Nevertheless, particularly for dedicated players, the risk of losing hard-earned PlayStation trophies is a concern.