Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
Report: Xbox is testing a feature to digitize physical games
Xbox is reportedly testing a new feature that would allow players to digitize their physical game collections for Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles. This disc-to-digital functionality would grant a digital entitlement tied to the physical disc, enabling streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming or access on PC for compatible titles. The feature is currently in internal testing, and its inclusion in future consoles is undecided, amidst Sony's announced pivot away from physical discs for PlayStation software by 2028.
Did you spend $80 for the PS5 Disc Drive? Well, by 2028 you'll have a nice white paper weight on your hands
Sony's announcement to end physical disc production for new PlayStation 5 games in 2028 renders the official PS5 Disc Drive accessory redundant for future releases. This shift to digital-only formats by 2028 impacts owners who invested in the drive, limiting their access to new games and the benefits of physical media like price comparison and game sharing.
Circana says that it seems unlikely that Nintendo will abandon physical media
Circana's Mat Piscatella suggests it is unlikely Nintendo will discontinue physical media, despite PlayStation phasing out physical games by 2028 and Xbox potentially following suit with their next console. This comes as speculation arises about Nintendo's future strategy regarding physical game releases.
Nintendo Could Inherit The Physical Gaming Crown By Default
Sony and Microsoft are rumored to be moving towards digital-only consoles for their next generations, potentially leaving Nintendo as the sole major manufacturer still supporting physical game releases. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella believes Nintendo will continue its own strategy, unaffected by competitors' shifts. While Nintendo Switch has a strong physical market share, a significant portion of its sales are digital, and some physical releases utilize Game-Key Cards, raising concerns about long-term game preservation.
Bethesda not-so-subtly brags about its physical Oblivion Remastered Switch 2 cartridge, mere hours after Sony announces…
Bethesda Game Studios is highlighting that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Deluxe Edition will be available on a physical game card for the Nintendo Switch 2. This announcement comes shortly after Sony revealed its plan to end physical disc production for new PlayStation games in 2028, sparking discussion about the future of physical media in gaming.
Evercade Publishes Instructional Video On Sharing Physical Games
Blaze Entertainment's Evercade brand has released an instructional video detailing how players can share their physical Evercade game cartridges with friends. The video explains the process for accessing over 700 retro and indie games across various Evercade hardware, including the upcoming Evercade Nexus.
"Long live physical media": Devs and publishers of Baldur's Gate 3, Silksong, and more call Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation games "genuinely heartbreaking"
Sony's decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs starting in 2028 has been met with dismay from developers and publishers. Many express sadness and a loss of desire to develop for the platform, citing the importance of physical media for preservation, collector value, and the joy it brings to players. Companies like Larian Studios, Lost in Cult, and Fangamer are particularly vocal about the impact on their work and their commitment to physical releases.
Analysts say Sony's digital-only plan 'almost certainly guarantees that the PS6 won’t arrive until 2028…
Analysts predict that Sony's plan to halt physical game production by January 2028 indicates the PlayStation 6 will launch in 2028, likely without a disc drive to reduce costs. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino's comments suggest the next-generation console might also incorporate handheld capabilities for a seamless, multi-location experience.
Sony kills game ownership and says it's all your fault
Sony is phasing out physical game discs for new PlayStation titles by 2028, effectively ending the concept of game ownership as players will no longer be able to buy, sell, or preserve physical copies. This move, driven by business decisions and a lack of competition, raises concerns about game preservation, consumer rights, and the loss of tangible connection to games and their creators.
"RIP PLAYSTATION 1994-2026" - Players are flocking to Sony's old PS4 anti-DRM video in the wake of its shock decision to scrap physical games
Sony announced it will cease production of physical discs for PlayStation games starting January 2028, shifting to an all-digital future. This decision has sparked significant backlash from players concerned about anti-consumer practices and the loss of permanent ownership. In response, gamers have revisited a 2013 anti-DRM video featuring Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes, highlighting the perceived shift in Sony's player-centric stance.
"We are profoundly disappointed" - boutique special edition game makers react to PlayStation's discless future
Boutique special edition game makers like iam8bit, Lost in Cult, and Red Art Games have expressed profound disappointment and protest over Sony's decision to cease production of physical game discs for PlayStation consoles in January 2028. These companies emphasize the importance of physical media for game preservation, ownership, and consumer choice, vowing to continue their efforts to release physical editions for as long as possible.
Xbox Reportedly Testing Feature Allowing You To Digitize Physical Discs
Xbox is reportedly testing a new feature called 'Disc2Digital' that would allow users to digitize their physical game discs and add them to their Xbox account. This feature would only apply to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games, with older Xbox 360 discs not supported. The move comes amid industry trends towards digital-only releases and potential future console designs without disc drives.
Next Xbox, Project Helix, Will Reportedly Not Have a Disc Drive
Reports indicate the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, will be a discless model, eliminating support for physical media. This follows PlayStation's announcement of ending physical disc production in 2028 and Rockstar Games' confirmation of no disc version for Grand Theft Auto VI. The move raises significant concerns for game preservation and the physical game market, with figures like Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation highlighting the challenges for archiving digital-only content.
Xbox might be following PlayStation's lead, as new reports claim Microsoft is testing a new disc-to-digital game feature called 'Positron', and the next-gen Project Helix console won't have a disc drive
New reports suggest Microsoft is testing a 'Positron' feature allowing Xbox users to convert physical game discs to digital formats for Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Concurrently, a next-generation console codenamed 'Project Helix' is rumored to launch without a disc drive, mirroring Sony's move away from physical media.
Xbox reportedly to follow PlayStation's example and ditch discs for next-gen console Project Helix
Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, is reportedly set to omit a disc drive, following Sony's rumored decision for the PlayStation 6. The company is also developing a feature to convert owned physical game discs into digital licenses, allowing players to play without inserting the disc, though this will not apply to older Xbox 360 or original Xbox titles.
Xbox sägs testa funktion för att digitalisera spelskivor
Xbox is reportedly testing a new feature that allows players to digitize their physical game discs, creating a digital license tied to the disc. This functionality is said to be limited to Xbox One and Xbox Series X games. The move comes as Sony plans to discontinue physical game releases on PlayStation consoles by 2028, raising questions about the future of physical media in gaming.
Evening Reading - July 1, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers several gaming news items, including patch notes for Mario Kart World, PlayStation's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in January 2028, and the reworking of the Endless Legend 2 dev roadmap. It also mentions Krafton's bonuses, Lethal Wedding hitting a Kickstarter goal, and a new Doom: The Dark Ages trailer. Additionally, the article touches on the shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita PlayStation Stores and a review of Rhythm Heaven Groove.
Physical media retailers respond to PlayStation's discontinuation of disc-based games
Sony has announced its decision to cease production of physical disc-based games for PlayStation consoles starting in January 2028. This move has drawn disappointment from physical media retailers like GameFly, Fangamer, and iam8bit, who emphasize the importance of physical media for ownership, preservation, and consumer choice. While GameStop and Limited Run Games have not yet commented, Sony cites shifting consumer trends for its decision, which may also suggest cost-cutting measures for future hardware.
Sony Will End Physical Disc Production for New PlayStation Games Starting January 2028
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease physical disc production for all new PlayStation games starting January 2028, shifting exclusively to digital releases. This decision reflects a growing consumer preference for digital media over physical discs. Existing physical games and those released before the deadline will remain unaffected.
Games Inbox: Why is Sony going digital-only with the PS5?
Readers express concern over Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to transition the PlayStation 5 to digital-only by January 2028, fearing the loss of physical media, resale value, and the impact on businesses like CeX. The move is seen as a step towards a future where consumers 'own nothing,' with some readers vowing to switch to Xbox or focus on retro gaming.
