Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
Major second-hand retailer warns loss of physical PlayStation games will mean higher prices for consumers and…
Sony plans to end the production of physical PlayStation game discs in January 2028, citing the significant demand for digital releases. This decision has sparked backlash from gamers, with a petition urging Sony to reverse course gaining over 250,000 signatures. Major UK second-hand retailer musicMagpie warns that the move could lead to higher prices and reduced choice for consumers, as physical games offer more affordable options and resale value.
Analysts say that 'digital is just too lucrative' for Sony and that PlayStation 'will not reverse' its decision to end physical disc production even in the face of fans cancelling PS Plus subscriptions
Analysts believe Sony will not reverse its decision to end physical disc production by 2028, despite fan backlash and subscription cancellations. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games stated that digital sales are significantly more lucrative for Sony, making the potential loss of 1% of PlayStation Plus subscribers insufficient to alter the company's strategy. The profit margins for digital sales, especially for first-party titles where Sony retains 100% of the revenue, far outweigh those of physical copies.
Self-service physical publishing for Indie developers and publishers announced
33 Games and Beyond The Pixels have partnered to launch 'The Forever Project,' a self-service initiative enabling independent developers and publishers to create premium physical game editions for PC and Mac. This collaboration aims to provide affordable and accessible routes to market for indies, allowing them to sell directly to consumers and bypass traditional distribution barriers. The project leverages 33 Games' manufacturing expertise and Beyond The Pixels' experience in IP creation and community building, with a service launch planned for August 2026.
"A hammer blow for games retail" - Experts weigh in on PlayStation's discless future, and the impact it will have on traditional game stores
Sony will cease large-scale production of new physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts are calling a "hammer blow" to the already struggling physical game retail market. This decision significantly impacts brick-and-mortar stores and the pre-owned games market, as physical copies lose their resale value and collectability. Experts suggest retailers will need to innovate with digital sales in-store to survive.
Backlash Against PlayStation Ending Physical Discs Won’t Result in Plans Changing, Say Analysts
Analysts believe Sony will not reverse its decision to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, despite industry backlash. Experts like Serkan Toto and Daniel Ahmad suggest that while Sony may acknowledge the criticism, the financial benefits of digital sales make a reversal unlikely. The move is seen as a natural progression driven by consumer trends and Sony's need to improve profit margins.
Your Loyalty To Sony Or Xbox Means Nothing, Analyst Says
Analyst Mat Piscatella states that consumer loyalty to platforms like PlayStation or Xbox means nothing to corporations, as profitability is the sole driver. With the projected high cost of future consoles and the significantly higher margins on digital game sales compared to physical discs, companies like Sony are prioritizing digital distribution. This shift is seen as irreversible due to the lucrative nature of digital sales, despite concerns about game preservation.
Over 220,000 People Petition Sony Not To Kill Physical PlayStation Game Discs
Over 220,000 people have signed a petition started by Canadian retailer PNP Games urging Sony not to end the production of physical PlayStation game discs in January 2028. The petition argues that physical media is crucial for supporting an entire industry, preserving consumer choice, and maintaining the concept of game ownership, contrasting it with an all-digital future.
The Daily Grind: Which MMO ‘feelies’ have you kept over the years?
This article discusses the nostalgic practice of 'feelies'—physical extras included in game boxes like maps, figurines, and soundtrack CDs—particularly within the MMORPG genre. It highlights examples from games such as RIFT, City of Heroes, The Lord of the Rings Online, and Guild Wars 2, and asks readers about any such items they still possess.
That free, two hour long Silent Hill game is getting a physical for some reason — and of course it costs $70
The free PlayStation 5 exclusive horror game Silent Hill: The Short Message is receiving a physical disc release for $69.99 as part of a deluxe edition from Konami and Limited Run Games. This limited edition includes bonus physical items, despite the game being available digitally for free. Pre-orders open July 10, with shipping expected early next year.
After Sony announces its sunsetting PlayStation discs, Hideo Kojima shares a warning about physical media: "What is happening to video games in 2028 might also happen to movies"
Hideo Kojima expressed concern over Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to discontinue physical game disc production in 2028, warning that the shift away from physical media could impact movies and other digital content. He highlighted the risks associated with streaming services and the potential loss of access to content if servers are shut down or distribution changes.
Sony Tries To Change The Subject After Killing PlayStation Discs
Sony announced plans to end support for physical game discs on PlayStation platforms by early 2028, a move that has drawn significant backlash from gamers. The company's subsequent attempt to shift focus to a new wireless fight stick was met with continued anger and disappointment. Analysts suggest the decision aims to increase Sony's control over pricing and distribution, eliminating the used game market and pushing consumers towards digital purchases.
Metal Gear Solid Snake actor David Hayter tells Sony "no disc, no buy" amid controversial decision to axe physical discs for new PlayStation games in 2028
Voice actor David Hayter, known for voicing Solid Snake, has voiced his opposition to Sony's reported decision to discontinue physical discs for new PlayStation games in 2028. Hayter stated "no disc, no buy," aligning with fans concerned about the shift towards digital-only distribution.
Sony killing physical PlayStation games has folks so angry that its announcement has even more views than Rockstar's GTA 6 trailer posts on Twitter
Sony's announcement regarding the discontinuation of physical PlayStation games has generated significant controversy, evidenced by its announcement post on Twitter receiving more views than Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer posts. Despite the higher view count for Sony's announcement, the engagement in terms of likes suggests a more negative reception compared to the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer.
Morning Consolidation
A petition urging Sony to continue producing new physical PlayStation media has garnered nearly 200,000 signatures amidst growing backlash. This comes as Sony appears to be phasing out new physical releases for its consoles.
PS5 social media makes first post in six days and gets annihilated by angry fans
Sony's PlayStation social media accounts have resumed activity after a week of silence, only to be met with intense backlash from fans regarding the company's decision to cease physical game releases after 2027 and shut down PlayStation 3 and Vita digital stores. Despite the widespread anger and fan protests, Sony's posts have focused on promoting a new wireless fight stick, the FlexStrike, rather than addressing the concerns about physical media.
'No way THIS is the first tweet PlayStation puts out after 6 days' — Instead of responding to the physical disc controversy, PlayStation is trying to advertise its new fight stick as fans refuse to back down
Sony Interactive Entertainment is facing significant backlash after announcing plans to cease the production of physical game discs for PlayStation 5 starting in January 2028. Instead of addressing the controversy, the company's first social media post after six days of silence was an advertisement for its new FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick, further angering fans who are demanding a response and urging the company to reverse its decision.
In 2009, late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said it'll take "20 years or so" for game purchases to…
Former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata predicted in 2009 that it would take approximately 20 years for digital game purchases to become the majority. With Sony phasing out physical PS5 games by 2028 and Rockstar Games opting for digital or code-in-box releases for Grand Theft Auto 6, his prediction appears to be nearly accurate. While Xbox has not yet announced similar plans, the trend towards digital distribution is evident across the industry.
'Physical media is what makes consoles the best place to play' — PlayStation fans pushing back against Sony's plan to end physical discs have managed to amass over 170,000 signatures in a bid to reverse the decision
PlayStation fans are protesting Sony's decision to end the production of physical game discs starting January 2028, with a petition amassing over 170,000 signatures. The petition argues that physical media offers true ownership, unlike digital licenses, and expresses concern over job losses in retail. This move follows the confirmation that Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch with a digital download code instead of a disc.
PlayStation social media accounts bombarded with complaints over its disc controversy
PlayStation's social media accounts have been inundated with complaints following the announcement that the company will cease support for physical game discs in January 2028. Fans expressed their dissatisfaction across platforms like X and Instagram, with many pleading for the company to reconsider its decision to move towards digital-only distribution.
The petition against Sony's decision to kill PlayStation physical discs has over 170,000 signatures
A petition against Sony's decision to end physical disc manufacturing for PlayStation in January 2028 has garnered over 170,000 signatures. The campaign, started by retailer PNP Games, argues against the loss of consumer ownership, reduced market choice, and damage to game preservation. The petition urges Sony to continue physical disc production beyond 2028.
