- Sony has announced the discontinuation of physical disc production for new PS5 games starting January 2028.
- Sohei Niikawa, the creator of Disgaea, criticized Sony's decision at Anime Expo 2026, suggesting they should 'get rid of the hardware'.
- Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot commented on the announcement, noting that it could lead to cheaper consoles without disc drives.
- Dr. Serkan Toto stated that Sony is unlikely to reverse its decision due to the profitability of digital sales.
- Sony's rationale for discontinuing physical discs is based on shifting consumer trends towards digital media.
- Digital sales are more profitable for Sony, allowing them to keep a larger share of revenue compared to physical copies.
- Guillemot's comments reflect the fact that the majority of game purchases are already digital, following a decade of rising downloads.
Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation disc production by January 2028 is a significant shift towards digital gaming, reflecting changing consumer preferences.1
Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa expressed his discontent at Anime Expo 2026, stating, "If they're going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware, too." He emphasized the emotional connection fans have with physical games, contrasting it with the corporate perspective.23
Ubisoft's CEO, Guillemot, acknowledged the potential benefits of this transition, noting, "What we saw on the PC is that it helped to grow the market." He suggested that digital-only consoles could lead to more affordable gaming options, despite the backlash from fans concerned about game ownership and preservation.
Sony's rationale for this move is rooted in profitability; they retain a larger share of revenue from digital sales compared to physical copies.89
"Sony has over 120 million active PlayStation users," noted Dr. Serkan Toto, indicating that even a small percentage of cancellations in protest would not significantly impact the company.67
The decision has sparked a wave of online dissent, with many gamers voicing their concerns about the future of game ownership.
"I sympathize with physical media fans, but Sony will not reverse this decision," Toto added, highlighting the company's focus on digital profitability amidst rising console costs.
“Sony's move follows shifting consumer trends toward digital purchases, which are more profitable for the company. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games predicts Sony will not reverse the decision, as even a mass protest would be insignificant to its bottom line.”
Eurogamer.net
