Physical Games
Ongoing coverage on Physical Games.
Latest coverage
Xbox is appointing someone to focus on physical games just to spite PlayStation
Microsoft is reportedly hiring a strategist to focus on the launch of physical Xbox games, a move seen as an attempt to gain a public relations advantage over Sony. This comes as Sony plans to phase out physical game support after 2027, a decision that has faced backlash. While Xbox has historically favored digital releases, Microsoft appears to be capitalizing on Sony's controversial decision.
Xbox Job Listing for Supply Strategist Hint at Continued Plans to Support Physical Games – Rumor
A new Xbox job listing for a Supply Strategist suggests the company plans to continue supporting physical game releases, contrasting with Sony's announced discontinuation of PlayStation disc production. The role involves coordinating physical game launches and managing supply chain strategies throughout the product lifecycle. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has previously stated a desire to offer players choices between physical and digital media.
Nintendo Make Key Decision on Future of Physical Gaming
Nintendo of America's Vice President and General Manager, Bill van Zyll, confirmed that the company has no plans to discontinue physical game releases, stating that both digital and physical formats will be supported for the Nintendo Switch 2. This decision comes as a relief to fans, contrasting with Sony's move away from physical media.
The best early Black Friday PS5 deals in Australia for 2026: the biggest Sony savings so far
This article discusses the upcoming Black Friday deals for the PlayStation 5 in Australia, noting that Sony's move towards digital-only games starting in 2028 and recent price hikes may dampen enthusiasm. The author emphasizes the importance of these sales for acquiring physical games before they become obsolete and highlights potential discounts on major titles and accessories like headsets and controllers.
The best early Black Friday PS5 deals in 2026: the biggest Sony savings so far
Black Friday 2026 PlayStation 5 deals are anticipated to focus on physical games and accessories, with Sony's shift towards digital-only releases and a price hike for the PS5 Pro impacting savings. While discounts on consoles are unlikely, bundles and deals on physical titles are expected to be prevalent, especially with major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon.
PS5 fans troll Sony over whether its new headsets are digital or not
Sony announced new PlayStation Pulse and Pulse Edge wireless headsets for the PlayStation 5, but the announcement was met with widespread criticism online. Fans are complaining about Sony's recent business decisions, including abandoning physical games and the perceived poor quality of previous headsets, overshadowing the new product details.
Sony makes twice as much money from you on PS5 compared to PS4
Sony is prioritizing monetizing existing PlayStation 5 owners over acquiring new ones, as the company makes significantly more revenue per user on the current generation console compared to the PlayStation 4. This strategy focuses on recurring revenue from services like PlayStation Plus and digital purchases, while physical game sales decline.
Saber Boss Reacts To The Death Of Physical Games And Rising Console Prices
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits shared his thoughts on the decline of physical games and the rising cost of consoles. While acknowledging the convenience of digital titles and his personal shift away from physical media, Willits noted that Saber still profits from physical game sales, particularly in Europe. He also speculated about a future "AI box" for games and expressed concern over current console prices, suggesting it will be interesting to see how Sony and Microsoft navigate this trend with future hardware.
Xbox Won’t Say If Project Helix Has A Disc Drive, But It’s Not Giving Up On Physical Games Yet
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma discussed the importance of hardware affordability and efficiency for next-generation consoles like the rumored Project Helix, without confirming if it will include a disc drive. While acknowledging Sony's move towards an all-digital future, Sharma emphasized providing players with choices for purchasing games, indicating Xbox's continued commitment to physical media options.
Lies of P director says he wouldn't settle for a game-key card on Nintendo Switch 2 because everyone at his studio…
Jiwon Choi, director of Lies of P at Nough Studio, stated that the studio plans a full physical release for the game's Complete Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2. This decision stems from the studio's identity as 'proud gamers' who value physical media and the concept of game ownership, contrasting with trends towards digital-only releases.
Ex-PlayStation boss doesn't know if Sony killing physical games is "such a big issue" since players need to download patches and extra data anyway
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida stated he doesn't understand why Sony's decision to stop producing physical game discs from 2028 is a major issue, as most games require digital updates and downloads anyway. While acknowledging the appeal for collectors, Yoshida, a digital-first consumer himself, believes players can still find games on sale digitally. This perspective contrasts with significant consumer backlash regarding game preservation and ownership.
Capcom Unfazed By Physical Games Dying Off
Capcom has stated that the decline of physical game sales will not significantly impact the company, as approximately 90% of its sales are now digital. This trend is reflected across the industry, with Nintendo and Electronic Arts also reporting a majority of sales coming from digital downloads. Sony is ending support for physical discs in 2028, citing consumer trends, though experts suggest this shift also relates to control and profitability.
PlayStation ditching physical games is "a bridge across the bad years" of high hardware costs, analyst says, but it means "casuals and youngsters will drift off to mobile, PC, and free-to-play even faster"
Industry analyst Rhys Elliott suggests Sony's decision to phase out physical PlayStation games by 2028 is a short-term strategy to offset high hardware costs. While it may improve margins during a difficult period, it risks alienating budget-conscious and younger players who might then drift to mobile, PC, or free-to-play markets.
An Xbox outage left physical games unplayable, tech lead says Microsoft is working to make sure that never happens again
Microsoft's Chief Technology Officer Scott Van Vliet stated that an Xbox outage which rendered some physical games unplayable should not have occurred. The company is investigating the issue, which involved disc-based entitlement checks preventing access, and plans to implement a fix in a future update to ensure this does not happen again.
Games Inbox: Why isn’t there a Skyrim remake?
Readers discuss the lack of a Skyrim remake despite numerous special editions, questioning why publishers don't prioritize such projects. Other topics include the viability of a PlayStation 5 boycott, the underutilization of tornadoes in games, and concerns about Capcom's yearly Resident Evil releases and Ubisoft's Far Cry franchise.
The PS6 will have bigger problems than not having physical games
The success of the PlayStation 6 is unlikely to be determined by its lack of physical game support, but rather by its price, launch titles, and hardware innovation. While the move to an all-digital future is controversial, consumer convenience and the prevalence of digital sales suggest it may not be the primary factor in the console's potential failure. More significant challenges include a presumed high price point, the difficulty of securing compelling exclusive titles, and the need for unique hardware features beyond what the PlayStation 5 offers.
Sega isn't "abandoning" physical games: president reminds everyone "we used to develop consoles," but says it's eyeing PC gaming in an increasingly digital future
Sega president Shuji Utsumi stated the company is not abandoning physical games but is focusing on improving digital releases due to the increasing global popularity of PC gaming. While acknowledging Japan's preference for physical media, Utsumi emphasized the need to strengthen digital products to reach a wider, global audience. Sega is also considering the important elements of digital media while simultaneously trying to make a shift, rather than completely abandoning physical culture.
Ubisoft CEO says ditching physical games "helped" PC gaming, and PlayStation ending discs won't "disturb" the industry much anyway
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot believes the discontinuation of physical PlayStation games will not significantly disrupt the industry, citing PC gaming's growth as evidence that a digital-only future can be beneficial. He suggests that eliminating physical media could lead to more accessible console pricing. While acknowledging the loss of the used games market, Guillemot stated that the overall impact on the industry will be manageable.
Physical Games Are “Irrelevant” To GameStop’s Business, Says CEO
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen stated that physical games are irrelevant to the company's business, with software now making up less than 12% of revenue while collectibles and hardware comprise the majority. He expressed indifference to PlayStation's potential shift away from physical discs, emphasizing the company's focus on other revenue streams like collectibles and his ambition to acquire eBay.
Commissioner says the EU can't stop Sony from ending physical games: "Companies are free to offer games and…
An EU commissioner stated that companies are free to decide how they offer games, implying that Sony's decision to cease production of physical game discs by 2028 is within their commercial rights. This statement comes as collectors and preservationists rally against the move, but it suggests legal intervention is unlikely. Analysts predict Sony will not reverse its decision, with future consoles like the PlayStation 6 potentially omitting disc drives entirely.
