Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
Sony will move forward with its plans to stop making PS5 discs despite backlash
Sony has confirmed its intention to cease the production of PlayStation 5 game discs, despite significant backlash from consumers. The company stated its plans during a recent earnings call, indicating a continued shift away from physical media.
34% of PS5 discs and 50% of Xbox Series X discs are junk without a download, research finds: "It's deliberately undermining the value of physical releases"
Research by game preservation group DoesItPlay indicates that a significant portion of physical game discs for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are incomplete without substantial downloads. Approximately 34% of PS5 discs and 50% of Xbox Series X discs require downloads to fix bugs or access essential content, leading to concerns about the diminishing value of physical releases.
Sony will “cautiously” continue to kill physical games media
Sony plans to cautiously discontinue physical game media for PlayStation consoles in 2028, citing the overall progression of digitalization. Despite receiving significant community feedback and understanding the concerns, the company believes this move will increase profitability by shifting sales to the PlayStation Store. While digital sales accounted for 78% of PlayStation games in FY2025, the company acknowledges that some regions and single-player games still show a strong preference for physical copies.
Collectively, we chose a digital future for games – so why doesn’t it feel like our choice at all?
The author laments the decline of physical game sales and the closure of game stores, arguing that the shift to digital distribution, while convenient, has eroded player choice and the sense of occasion. This transition feels less like a conscious decision and more like a forced surrender to industry trends, impacting the ability to trade, resell, or even access games during outages.
PlayStation’s disc era ends in 2028, and Sony’s own sales data shows why it won’t budge
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease manufacturing PlayStation game discs in January 2028, citing the overall progression of content digitalization. Despite player backlash and concerns about physical media preservation, the company stated it will cautiously move forward with this decision. Analysts suggest Sony's move is driven by the significantly higher profit margins of digital sales compared to physical disc sales.
PlayStation says it will 'cautiously move forward' with its plan to end physical discs
Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed its plan to cease the production of physical discs for PlayStation games in 2028, despite significant fan backlash. CFO Lin Tao stated that the decision was driven by the ongoing digitalization of content and that the company will cautiously move forward with the plan.
Sony Breaks Silence On Physical Games, But Shows No Signs Of Backing Down
Sony is maintaining its plan to discontinue physical game discs by 2028, despite facing significant backlash from gamers who prefer physical media. The company shows no indication of reversing its decision.
Sony’s Latest PS5 Sales Data Shows Digital Pulling Even Further Ahead
Sony reported that 82% of all PlayStation 5 game, microtransaction, and DLC sales in Q1 2026 were digital, an increase from the previous financial year's average of 78%. Despite a player-led initiative to preserve physical games, Sony CFO Lin Tao stated the company will cautiously proceed with its digitalization plans, citing financial benefits and the steady progression of content digitalization.
Sony Defends Going Digital, But Says It Understands Players’ Love Of Physical PS5 Games
Sony is defending its decision to cease PlayStation 5 disc production in 2028, citing the overall progression of content digitalization. The company acknowledges the strong emotional attachment players have to physical media and plans to explore future engagement within the digital ecosystem. While digital adoption is high, developers like Ubisoft and Rockstar Games have offered differing perspectives on the shift away from physical copies.
Report shows 34% of physical PS5 games and 50% of Xbox Series X games do not work fully without a download first
A report indicates that a significant percentage of physical games for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X require downloads to be fully playable, impacting game preservation and offline play. The Nintendo Switch fares better, though its sample size is smaller. This trend highlights a shift away from fully playable physical media.
Every YouTube video PlayStation posts has hundreds of comments about physical discs
Sony Interactive Entertainment is facing significant backlash on YouTube following its announcement to discontinue physical game disc production for PlayStation consoles starting January 2028. Despite a clear industry shift towards digital distribution, with 78% of PlayStation games sold digitally in FY25, many fans are expressing their dissatisfaction in the comments sections of Sony's videos. Senior Director Sid Shuman cited evolving consumer preferences as the reason for the transition.
Sony finally discusses PS5 physical disc backlash and it's not good news
Sony Interactive Entertainment's Chief Financial Officer, Lin Tao, addressed investor concerns regarding the company's decision to cease PlayStation 5 physical disc production after 2027. Tao cited the overall digitalization of content as the primary driver for this shift, acknowledging community backlash but stating Sony will cautiously proceed with its plans. The company also discussed how it plans to differentiate its hardware from PCs in an increasingly digital market.
Sony knows "people have strong views" about it killing PlayStation discs, but that's not changing its mind: "We don't see that there will be any negative impact on our business"
Sony acknowledges strong consumer opinions regarding its decision to cease physical disc production for new PlayStation games in 2028, but maintains the move is driven by the overall digitalization trend. Despite concerns about game preservation and fairness to studios, Sony believes this shift will not negatively impact its business and plans to explore engagement within the future digital ecosystem.
Sony vows to press on with discless plans, saying "digitalization is progressing" across all media despite heavy protest from players
Sony has reaffirmed its decision to discontinue the production and sale of physical PlayStation game discs by early 2028, citing the overall progression of digitalization across all media. Despite significant player protest and petitions, the company stated it understands the community's strong feelings but will cautiously move forward with its digital-first strategy.
Sony Isn’t Backing Down From Ending PlayStation Disc Production Despite Backlash
Sony plans to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, despite backlash from the community. CFO Lin Tao stated the decision is driven by the ongoing digitalization of content across all media, not just gaming. While acknowledging consumer concerns, Sony aims to explore future engagement within the digital ecosystem.
FF7 Revelation Director Really Wants You To Have A Physical Edition For The Game
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi is actively working to ensure a physical edition of the game is released, despite the industry's general trend towards digital distribution. He acknowledges the complexities of platform-specific regulations but hopes to create a product that satisfies fans. The game is slated for a 2027 release on PlayStation 5, with previous installments also receiving physical versions.
Final Fantasy 7 remake director says he hopes Revelation will get 'some kind of physical edition' despite the industry and Sony's 'shift away' from discs
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi hopes for a physical edition of the game, despite Sony's shift away from discs. He acknowledges the industry trend towards digital distribution but believes there's still a place for physical copies, potentially including codes or key cards. Hamaguchi also expressed a desire to preserve the culture of physical game ownership and fan interaction.
Square Enix can't confirm a Final Fantasy 7 Revelation physical disc, but at least game director Hamaguchi is pushing for one
Square Enix has not yet confirmed if Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, set for a spring 2027 release, will have a physical disc edition, though game director Naoki Hamaguchi is advocating for one. Discussions are ongoing regarding the product lineup, with Hamaguchi hoping to offer a physical version similar to the multi-disc releases of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director is “Working” to Have “Some Kind of Physical Edition”
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi is working to ensure a physical edition of the game is released, despite the industry's shift towards digital distribution and Sony's planned end to PlayStation disc production in 2028. Hamaguchi expressed a desire to preserve the culture of collecting physical media for autographs and special editions, even if future releases might include a code instead of a disc. The game is slated for simultaneous release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
PlayStation’s Physical Games Still Sell Millions, Shows Data
Data indicates that physical PlayStation game discs continue to sell millions of units, despite ongoing debates about the future of physical media. This suggests a significant portion of the gaming community still prefers physical copies over digital downloads.