Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
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.
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.
PlayStation Stopping Disc Production in 2028 is a “Fairly Dramatic Decision,” Says Former Executive
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden expressed surprise at Sony's decision to cease manufacturing physical game discs by January 2028, calling it a "fairly dramatic decision" driven by spreadsheet analysis of digital versus physical sales. Layden noted that while the move prioritizes revenue from the majority of players, it may alienate a global fanbase with inconsistent internet access, a factor PlayStation has historically considered.
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.
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.
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.
What on earth is happening to the video games industry? - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses frustration with the current state of the video game industry, citing issues like mass layoffs, Sony's focus on live service games, and Microsoft's acquisition strategy. Concerns are raised about the move towards digital-only sales and the potential high cost of future consoles like the PlayStation 6. Despite these criticisms, the reader acknowledges the strength of the indie scene and the resurgence of companies like Capcom.
Sony Isn’t Killing Discs Because Nobody Buys Them — It’s Killing Them Because People Still Do
Sony plans to discontinue physical PlayStation discs by January 2028, a move that has generated significant online backlash. Despite the increasing trend of digital game sales, a notable portion of consumers still prefer physical copies, leading to speculation about Sony's strategic reasoning behind this decision.
Microsoft-owned GitHub offers coders chance to put their work on a disc in response to Sony’s decision to kill physical media
Microsoft-owned GitHub is offering developers a way to put their code onto physical discs. This initiative is presented as a response to Sony's decision to discontinue physical media for its gaming platforms. The move by GitHub aims to provide an alternative for preserving digital work.
Sony reportedly already has another use for its disc factory after announcing end of physical PlayStation games
Sony is reportedly ending the production of new physical discs for PlayStation consoles in 2028. The company's disc factory in Thalgau, Austria, which currently produces around 300,000 PlayStation discs daily, will shift focus to manufacturing microlenses. This change, with a €30 million investment in the technology, is planned to begin mass production as early as next year, though the future of game preservation remains a concern.
PlayStation's disc-less future could "heavily influence" Xbox and Nintendo's approach to physical games, former Sony boss says, calling the decision "dramatic"
Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios head Shawn Layden stated that Sony's decision to discontinue physical disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2026 will heavily influence Xbox and Nintendo's future strategies. This move, described as dramatic, has sparked industry-wide concerns about game preservation and consumer rights, despite a recent increase in physical game sales in the US.
'Your code is physically yours, forever. Until you lose it, let's be real': Github, wagging its finger at Sony's own goal, is offering CD-ROMs of your code for a few days
Microsoft-owned GitHub is offering users a CD-ROM of their public code repositories for a limited time, a move seen as a jab at Sony's perceived shift towards digital-only game distribution. This limited-time promotion, available from July 2-6, 2026, allows the first 1,000 eligible users to receive a physical copy of their code. The article also touches on Microsoft's own efforts in digital preservation and potential layoffs within its gaming division.
I'll always be a physical media girlie, so I'm stocking up on these 4th of July PS5 game deals while I can
The author expresses a preference for physical media and plans to stock up on PlayStation 5 games during the 4th of July sales event before Sony potentially phases out disc support in 2028. Several physical PS5 titles, including High on Life, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, and Until Dawn, are currently available at record low prices.
End of an era — the historic PlayStation factory that manufactured 24 billion gaming discs is already being turned into a micro-optics lab, just days after Sony announced its digital push
Sony is repurposing its last remaining physical media factory in Austria, which previously manufactured billions of PlayStation discs, into a micro-optics lab. This move follows Sony's announcement to stop releasing PlayStation games on physical discs by 2028, leading to concerns among gamers about digital ownership.
Is GTA VI Part of the Final Push Away from Discs?
Grand Theft Auto VI's massive anticipated launch is fueling speculation about a potential shift away from physical discs in the gaming industry. While physical editions may still be released with download codes, the trend towards digital distribution and cloud-based entertainment suggests this title could be a catalyst for further change.
Sony’s Decision To Ditch Physical PlayStation Discs Is Getting Absolutely Clowned On
Sony's reported decision to cease production of physical PlayStation discs by 2028 has drawn significant criticism online, with even brands like Domino's and KFC joining in on the jokes. Players are expressing concerns about the loss of physical ownership and the perceived erosion of traditional gaming experiences.