Digital Distribution
Ongoing coverage on Digital Distribution.
Latest coverage
The petition against Sony's decision to kill PlayStation physical discs has over 170,000 signatures
A petition against Sony's decision to end physical disc manufacturing for PlayStation in January 2028 has garnered over 170,000 signatures. The campaign, started by retailer PNP Games, argues against the loss of consumer ownership, reduced market choice, and damage to game preservation. The petition urges Sony to continue physical disc production beyond 2028.
Lords of the Fallen 2 Studio CEO Says More Games May Go Fully Digital by 2027 or Sooner
CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski believes physical game discs could disappear by 2027 or sooner, citing Grand Theft Auto 6 potentially skipping physical releases and Sony's planned end of disc production in 2028. Tyminski argues digital sales offer significantly higher revenue per unit for developers compared to physical releases, which incur higher costs and lower margins. Industry figures like Shawn Layden and Hideo Kojima have also commented on Sony's decision, with Kojima expressing concerns about the broader implications for digital ownership and access to art.
Digital-only GTA 6 Ultimate Edition screenshot literally says "buy more useless s***"
A screenshot from the Grand Theft Auto 6 Ultimate Edition reveals an in-game sticker that reads "buy more useless shit," sparking discussion about digital-only releases and the value of premium editions. The $100 Ultimate Edition offers digital items that do not impact gameplay.
Game History and Preservation
Hideo Kojima expressed concern about the future of game preservation following Sony's decision to end physical disc production for PlayStation. This move raises questions about long-term access to games and the potential loss of digital titles.
Save Physical Games petition passes 125,000 signatures and tells Sony “Don’t Kill the Disc”
A petition on Change.org urging Sony to continue producing physical game discs has surpassed 125,000 signatures. The petition, launched by PNP Games Inc. owner Jade Pearce, argues for the importance of physical ownership and the negative impact of a digital-only future on local economies and consumer choice. Despite Sony's shift towards digital distribution and changes in manufacturing, the article notes past instances where public pressure influenced Sony's business decisions.
GTA 6 shipping without discs "feels unfair to studios still backing physical," Lords of the Fallen 2 boss says, and Sony's certainly not helping
CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski expressed concern over Rockstar Games' decision to ship Grand Theft Auto 6 without physical discs and Sony's planned discontinuation of PlayStation disc production in 2028. Tyminski argues these moves are unfair to studios still supporting physical releases, citing lower revenue and higher costs compared to digital sales. He confirmed Lords of the Fallen 2 will still receive a physical disc release, but acknowledged the increasing difficulty in justifying the format.
"This is all about control" - industry experts speak on Sony's move away from discs, and what this means for the PlayStation 6 and the cost of games
Sony has announced it will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts believe signals a disc-less PlayStation 6 likely launching in 2028. This decision is expected to reduce console manufacturing costs and shift the market further towards digital distribution, impacting game pricing and consumer ownership. While some see it as a necessary evolution, concerns remain about preservation and the second-hand market.
Sony clarifies re-order support for existing PlayStation discs
Sony Interactive Entertainment has clarified its plans regarding the end of physical disc production, stating that publishers can still re-order existing PlayStation discs beyond the January 2028 end-of-production date. The company is shifting towards an all-digital future, which will also see the closure of the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita by July 2027. This move has drawn criticism from some companies concerned about game preservation and consumer choice.
Respawn Monday #6: Diablo IV Season 14, Dead by Daylight & Sony's Disc-Less Future — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The author shares thoughts on Diablo IV Season 14, noting its improved state since launch and the excitement of new character builds, despite some changes to unique items. They also discuss their experience with Dead by Daylight, preferring the Killer role and the challenges of learning new characters against skilled survivors, particularly on Asian servers where cheating is also noted. Finally, the article expresses concern over Sony's planned discontinuation of physical game production by 2028, highlighting the potential negative impact on regions like the Philippines with limited digital storefront access and the broader implications for game ownership and preservation.
Games Inbox: Is Nintendo Switch 2 and PC the perfect combination?
Readers discuss the potential of the Nintendo Switch 2 combined with PC gaming as a strong alternative to PlayStation and Xbox, especially in light of Sony's move towards digital-only releases. The conversation also touches on the importance of physical media for game preservation and the rising costs of PC hardware components like RAM and SSDs.
PS5 digital-only petition hits 100,000 as Sony allows some game discs after 2028
Sony is phasing out the production of new game discs for its consoles, with publishers only allowed to press discs for already-released games after January 2028. Despite a petition reaching 100,000 signatures and comments from Hideo Kojima, the company appears committed to its digital-first strategy, likely due to the majority of players already purchasing games digitally. This move impacts the availability of physical media and raises concerns about game preservation and streaming.
PlayStation to Allow Publishers to Re-Order Discs for Existing Titles After January 2028 – Rumor
A rumor suggests that PlayStation will allow publishers to re-order physical disc copies of existing games after January 2028, despite plans to cease new disc production. While some publishers are shifting to digital, this alleged policy change offers a potential lifeline for older titles. However, questions remain about the long-term availability and Sony's commitment to physical media preservation, especially as Xbox continues to support disc releases.
PlayStation’s Disc-Free Future Is Starting to Look Like a Walled Garden
Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to cease manufacturing physical game discs after January 2028 has been met with significant backlash, with many viewing it as a move towards a restrictive digital-only ecosystem. This shift prioritizes Sony's control over ownership and revenue, potentially alienating consumers and impacting retailers who rely on physical sales. The company's move is seen as a strategic business decision driven by increasing digital sales and a desire to control the market, rather than consumer preference.
Hideo Kojima Warns of 'Frightening' Digital Future After PlayStation Reveals Plan to End Physical Disc Production
Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has expressed concern about a 'frightening' digital future. This warning comes shortly after Sony announced plans to cease the production of physical PlayStation discs.
Sony says it will still make physical discs after 2028, as long as the game came out before then
Sony has stated that it will continue to produce physical game discs for titles released before 2028. However, any games launching after this date will be digital-only, marking a shift towards a fully digital future for the company's game releases.
Sony assures developers they can still order some games on disc after 2027 – but there's a catch
Sony has informed developers that while PlayStation disc production will end in January 2028, they can still re-order physical discs for games released before that date. This move, which suggests the PlayStation 6 may lack a disc drive, has prompted Microsoft to highlight that its upcoming game, Halo: Campaign Evolved, will include a physical disc. The article also touches on concerns surrounding the potential lack of a physical disc for Grand Theft Auto 6.
Halo: Campaign Evolved really, really wants you to know you can get a physical disc even if you buy it on PS5
Microsoft is highlighting that Halo: Campaign Evolved will include a physical game disc, even for PlayStation 5 purchases, contrasting with Sony's announced discontinuation of disc production by 2028. This move addresses concerns about game ownership and the potential lack of physical editions for future titles like Grand Theft Auto 6.
Sony still has to ration attachable disc drives sales to "1 per order" due to "high demand" despite plans to end production of physical discs for PlayStation games
Sony is continuing to ration sales of attachable disc drives to one per order due to high demand, despite plans to end physical disc production for PlayStation games in January 2028. This move aligns with changing consumer trends towards digital distribution, and it is speculated that the upcoming PlayStation 6 will not feature a disc drive. Microsoft is also reportedly exploring similar strategies for its future consoles.
Now is the winter of your discontent, console blaggards: the RPS team reflect on PlayStation going digital-only
Sony's decision to cease physical game sales on PlayStation in 2028 has sparked discussion about the implications for game preservation and digital distribution. While PC gamers have long adapted to digital-only, concerns are rising about the long-term accessibility of purchased digital titles and the control companies have over them.
Video games need an expiry date if they’re going to be digital only - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that digital-only video games should have a visible 'use by' date, similar to perishable supermarket items. This would inform consumers about how long they can expect to access purchased digital titles, especially as companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment move towards an all-digital future. The author suggests this transparency is necessary given the uncertainty of long-term digital game availability.
