# Upcoming Souls-Like So Popular It Sells Out Of PS5 Preorders

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-16 23:07 UTC · Category: Technology

## Executive Summary
An upcoming souls-like game sells out its PS5 physical edition as Sony moves to end physical media.

## Intelligence Brief
The swift depletion of available physical inventory highlights a notable market appetite for disc-based games on the platform, contrasting sharply with broader industry shifts toward digital-only distribution models. Coverage from GamesRadar specifically emphasizes that this unexpected sales milestone serves as an accidental argument for the continued viability of physical media. Outlets note that this surge in physical preorder demand arrives precisely as Sony reportedly moves to end physical editions entirely.


This development occurs against a broader backdrop of industry transition, where console manufacturers and publishers increasingly favor digital storefronts over traditional retail distribution. The tension between digital efficiency and collector or consumer preference for physical discs forms the core context of the current media attention. As major platforms phase out physical disc drives and printed media, titles that buck this trend by offering physical editions capture disproportionate consumer attention and debate.


Future coverage will likely monitor whether the developers or retail partners will restock the sold-out PlayStation 5 physical edition ahead of the August launch date. Observers and industry analysts will also track how Sony's reported strategy regarding the phase-out of physical editions responds to unexpected retail successes like this one. Further updates will depend entirely on subsequent announcements from the game's creators, platform holders, and participating retailers as the release window approaches.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| gamesradar.com | Soulslike devs accidentally make a powerful case for discs: PS5-exclusive physical edition sells out as Sony moves to end physical editions | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAJBVV95cUxNNG11am5NZlphZ252QjJqU19SanlSUTZRMFE2NEZ0b1JFV2dvT2hwSGdzSlBHWlI5bm5xZGx2OHdfMTNWZThsR1hBOWNWWEFhOG50WHNnWXJPLV9mZHhGY29ZbG9USjhuUUtDRnl4b2NpNDZtanE2eG5sd3BSZ0VWMTVZdU1Cc2VWR2dYSXY1UkdJZ05Eb3lpMnlFU1AwYzJsQmdLLW1RcllTbEU5a19nX1JSUThNSHl4VDRFODFKaUpjSXc4UExDNS1OSjBzY1pYOTY3OS1KRXltQVc2d2Zfd2hsVEJRYzBTaTIwM3poSWRQVDZCcmZHWmFKRV9Db1V3bHFjLVY0OUZHNlhVRlNjMQ?oc=5) |
| OpenCritic | Mortal Shell II Launches This August With Early Access And A PS5 Physical Edition | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxPU2dXSXIyMzJhUUJkWE11TU9IX25WRjdTbjA1QjZMaDczbjhRcjhJTVBhNWZ4bU1QQnNqTkFaZ3ZOTURwekNWWi1XRmRrQURBVW44WDdmb1dtOGtFblhOek1adDMwSU9VSVE1ZktENWZQSWJ5MjNYRkgyX2xCaWFRTlluWnVMQ2FPRnZwT0tUYzFJQjRoOFJabDUwemNORFZ1bFBjS25HWUZOZS1ObkN2V0taRFVoUQ?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-16/upcoming-souls-like-so-popular-it-sells-out-of-ps5-preorders*