Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
SEGA has no plans to abandon physical media and still sees a lot of value in it
SEGA president and COO Shuji Utsumi stated that the company has no plans to abandon physical media and sees significant value in it. This comes amidst discussions about Sony's potential discontinuation of physical media sales in 2028. SEGA is actively developing strategies to support physical releases alongside digital.
PS5 developers are being told not to talk about physical games on socials
Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly enforcing strict social media guidelines for its developers, preventing them from discussing the company's decision to cease physical game releases after 2027. Despite significant online backlash and petitions, Sony appears prepared for the negative reaction and is maintaining a unified public front, with industry figures like Hideo Kojima and Yoko Taro expressing disappointment.
'Brick and mortar game retail is doomed' — Analysts report $7.2 billion second-hand game market could be in danger thanks to Sony's plan to retire the production of physical discs
Analysts predict the $7.2 billion used game market is in danger due to Sony's plan to end the production of physical discs starting in January 2028. Experts like Michael Pachter believe this will lead to the demise of brick-and-mortar game retail, while others like Kazunori Ito note that the market will shrink and eventually disappear. Sony cites a shift towards digital sales and community preference as reasons for the change.
Games Inbox: Is buying second-hand video games going to end?
Readers discuss the potential end of second-hand physical game sales due to the increasing prevalence of digital distribution. Concerns are raised about the loss of ownership and the impact on retailers like CeX. The convenience of digital is acknowledged as a major factor driving this shift, with some lamenting the decline of physical media.
Sony Issued “Strict” Social Media Guidelines Following Physical Disc Announcement – Rumor
Sony has reportedly implemented strict social media guidelines for employees following the announcement that PlayStation disc production will cease in January 2028. Former Santa Monica Studio writer Alanah Pearce stated these guidelines are the strictest she has seen, indicating Sony anticipated backlash. The company cited a shift in consumer trends towards digital media as the reason for ending physical disc production.
Analyst Says Sony Killing Physical PS5 Games “Dooms” Brick-And-Mortar Stores
Analyst Michael Pachter believes Sony's decision to discontinue physical PlayStation 5 game releases in January 2028 will be the "death knell" for brick-and-mortar game retailers. While the move may save Sony money, Pachter argues it is anti-consumer and ignores the significant role the used game market plays for consumers and retailers like GameStop, whose business is increasingly reliant on collectibles and hardware.
Disgaea Creator Says Sony May As Well Scrap PlayStation Consoles If It’s Killing Game Discs
Disgaea series creator Sohei Niikawa believes Sony should discontinue PlayStation consoles if it plans to eliminate physical game discs by 2028. Niikawa argues that physical editions foster a connection between fans and developers and serve as sentimental keepsakes. He suggests that executives making these decisions may not understand the value fans place on physical media.
We Need Physical Video Games
This opinion piece argues for the continued importance of physical video game media, contrasting it with the perceived downsides of an all-digital future. The author highlights personal experiences with physical games and discusses concerns about ownership, preservation, and the impact of digital-only distribution on the gaming landscape.
PlayStation "may as well eliminate the hardware" if Sony is ending physical discs, says creator of Disgaea RPG…
Sohei Niikawa, creator of the Disgaea series and former president of Nippon Ichi Software, has criticized Sony's decision to end physical game discs for PlayStation by 2028. He argues that physical editions are crucial for collectors, fans, and preserving game history, suggesting that if Sony eliminates discs, they might as well eliminate the hardware itself. This sentiment echoes concerns raised by other industry figures like Hideo Kojima and Yoko Taro regarding the future of physical media.
Sony should get rid of consoles too if they ditch discs, says Disgaea creator
Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa argues that consoles are redundant without physical games, suggesting Sony should eliminate hardware if they remove physical discs. He believes physical editions hold significant value as memories and keepsakes for fans. Niikawa's comments come as Sony moves away from physical media, raising questions about the future of console gaming and its appeal compared to PC.
Mortal Shell 2 sells out of physical Revered Edition PS5 pre-orders as players rush to buy the highly-anticipated game on disc
Physical pre-orders for the PlayStation 5 Revered Edition of Mortal Shell 2 have completely sold out, with publisher Playstack announcing that supply has been fully reserved across retailers. Due to manufacturing and shipping times, it is unlikely that additional copies will become available before the game's August 20th release date. The standard edition of the game remains available for pre-order.
Games Inbox: Which is better out of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3?
Readers debate whether Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the superior game, with many favoring The Witcher 3 for its story and characters. Discussions also touch upon the longevity of digital versus physical game sales, the unique economy of Counter-Strike skins, and concerns about Nintendo's recent game releases and pricing strategies.
PlayStation Ending Disc Production is “Extremely Anti-Consumer”, “Truly Ironic”, Say Analysts
Analysts are calling Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028 "extremely anti-consumer" and "truly ironic," predicting it will damage the industry's value and eliminate the $7.2 billion used game market. Despite Sony citing consumer trends, experts like Michael Pachter and Kazunori Ito argue it reduces consumer choice and is a "triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice."
Your CD and Blu-Ray collection won't last forever
The article discusses the phenomenon of disc rot affecting CD and Blu-ray collections. While acknowledging the issue, it reassures readers that there is no need for excessive fear regarding the longevity of their physical media.
Sony Ends Discs in 2028. Why Nintendo Won't Follow.
Sony plans to cease production of physical discs for PlayStation in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This move contrasts with Nintendo's continued support for physical media and retail partnerships. The article analyzes the historical and business reasons behind these divergent strategies, suggesting Sony's decision prioritizes efficiency and margin over retail relationships, while Nintendo's approach aims to maintain long-term market presence and cultural relevance by keeping its intellectual property circulating through physical touchpoints.
As Sony plans to kill discs, PS5 publisher says "physical games help us reach audiences that digital often can't," even if "digital distribution has made games more accessible"
Serenity Forge CEO Zhenghua Yang stated that physical games remain crucial for reaching audiences that digital distribution cannot, citing discovery in retail, gifting, and accessibility in areas with limited internet. While acknowledging digital's role in industry growth, Yang views physical and digital as complementary, enabling games to reach the widest possible audience. This comes as Sony plans to cease disc production in 2028, a move that has generated significant player backlash.
Two PlayStation Games Sold Over 10,000 Physical Copies in the Week Ending on July 11th – Analyst
Analyst Mat Piscatella noted that only two PlayStation games sold over 10,000 physical copies in the week ending July 11th, with only seven exceeding 100,000 for the year. Despite fan backlash, retailers like GameStop are not opposing Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, citing a natural shift towards digital media preferences.
Former Valve writer says PlayStation killing physical discs is no conspiracy: "You, the consumer, have made your…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek argues that consumers are responsible for PlayStation's move away from physical discs, citing a strong preference for digital purchases. He points to low physical sales figures and the popularity of digital-only services like Game Pass as evidence that players have driven this industry shift.
Only 7 PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year, says analyst, as commenters demand…
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella reports that only seven PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year, suggesting a decline in physical media sales. Despite fan outcry for physical discs, data indicates that digital sales are dominant, with over half of Xbox Series consoles and a quarter of PlayStation 5 consoles lacking physical drives.
As PlayStation kills discs, Nier Automata creator Yoko Taro is "saddened by the loss of physical media" and despairs over "the future" of games: "That's just the way things are going"
Nier series director Yoko Taro expressed sadness over the decline of physical game media, citing PlayStation's plans to end disc production and Nintendo's Switch 2 Game-Key Cards. He believes the industry is moving away from physical distribution, contrary to his expectations that limited editions would persist. Taro's comments reflect a broader concern about the future of games and the loss of physical ownership.
