Buying discs doesn't protect you anymore. Almost everything requires a server connection and they can require you to upgrade to play.
I have a physical copy of Overwatch 1. When Overwatch 2 came out, it was an "upgrade" to Overwatch 1, and they simultaneously killed all Overwatch 1 servers. Nobody can play Overwatch 1 anymore.
Maybe Nintendo Switch is the way. It seems physical copies only protect you on platforms where offline use is standard.
I have a physical copy of Overwatch 1. When Overwatch 2 came out, it was an "upgrade" to Overwatch 1, and they simultaneously killed all Overwatch 1 servers. Nobody can play Overwatch 1 anymore.
Maybe Nintendo Switch is the way. It seems physical copies only protect you on platforms where offline use is standard.