Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
Lords of the Fallen 2 Studio CEO Says More Games May Go Fully Digital by 2027 or Sooner
CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski believes physical game discs could disappear by 2027 or sooner, citing Grand Theft Auto 6 potentially skipping physical releases and Sony's planned end of disc production in 2028. Tyminski argues digital sales offer significantly higher revenue per unit for developers compared to physical releases, which incur higher costs and lower margins. Industry figures like Shawn Layden and Hideo Kojima have also commented on Sony's decision, with Kojima expressing concerns about the broader implications for digital ownership and access to art.
The Criterion Collection 40-Film Set Is Down To 50% Off
The Criterion Collection's 40-film, 49-disc Blu-ray box set is currently available for 50% off its original price, marked down to $400 from $800. This collection, released in celebration of the company's 40th anniversary in 2024, includes premium packaging and a 216-page compilation of essays. The set offers hundreds of hours of special features, including commentaries, documentaries, and interviews for each film.
Sony tells publishers they can still reorder physical game discs for games pubbed before 2028
Sony has informed publishers that they can still reorder physical PlayStation game discs released before January 2028, even after the stated end of disc printing. This comes after significant backlash from publishers and preservation groups regarding the initial announcement. Meanwhile, Sony's disc manufacturing plant in Austria is being repurposed for optical microlens production.
French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon declares 'Players have rights too!' over the death of…
French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has voiced strong opposition to the upcoming digital-only releases of Grand Theft Auto 6 and Sony's planned discontinuation of physical game sales. He argues that players will pay for games without ever truly owning them, leading to a loss of rights like resale and preservation, and is supporting a petition to save physical videogames.
Why we love Star Fox! Pure Nintendo Podcast E169
The Pure Nintendo Podcast episode 169 features a discussion on the Star Fox franchise, including its characters, action, and cutscenes, with a particular focus on the Nintendo 64 original and its potential for the Nintendo Switch. The hosts also touch upon the latest Nintendo Direct, the future of physical media, and other games they are currently playing.
Save Physical Games petition passes 125,000 signatures and tells Sony “Don’t Kill the Disc”
A petition on Change.org urging Sony to continue producing physical game discs has surpassed 125,000 signatures. The petition, launched by PNP Games Inc. owner Jade Pearce, argues for the importance of physical ownership and the negative impact of a digital-only future on local economies and consumer choice. Despite Sony's shift towards digital distribution and changes in manufacturing, the article notes past instances where public pressure influenced Sony's business decisions.
After PS5 Disc Controversy, Microsoft Confirms Halo: Campaign Evolved Will Come On A Disc
Microsoft has confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved will include physical discs for its PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S editions, despite Sony's recent announcement to phase out physical media by 2028. This move caters to players who value physical collections and raises discussions about game preservation and the potential elimination of the secondhand market.
Word on the street is that the PS5 Disc Drive has been "limited" to 1 per order, but it's actually been…
Sony has clarified that the "limit of 1 per order" for the PlayStation 5 Disc Drive was added in January 2026 due to high demand, not in response to the January 2028 discontinuation of physical game production. While the drive is still readily available at MSRP, resellers are already listing it for higher prices on platforms like eBay. The article advises against purchasing the drive solely for future game access, as new physical releases will cease in 2028, but notes its utility for existing physical games and 4K Blu-ray playback.
GTA 6 shipping without discs "feels unfair to studios still backing physical," Lords of the Fallen 2 boss says, and Sony's certainly not helping
CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski expressed concern over Rockstar Games' decision to ship Grand Theft Auto 6 without physical discs and Sony's planned discontinuation of PlayStation disc production in 2028. Tyminski argues these moves are unfair to studios still supporting physical releases, citing lower revenue and higher costs compared to digital sales. He confirmed Lords of the Fallen 2 will still receive a physical disc release, but acknowledged the increasing difficulty in justifying the format.
'I find it really sad': Hideo Kojima laments the current state of the videogame industry as companies turn…
Hideo Kojima expressed sadness over the impending end of physical game disc production by 2028, citing concerns for game preservation and player ownership. He worries that a shift towards streaming services could lead to a future where players do not truly possess their digital media, drawing parallels to the current state of the video game industry and its potential impact on other media like movies.
"This is all about control" - industry experts speak on Sony's move away from discs, and what this means for the PlayStation 6 and the cost of games
Sony has announced it will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts believe signals a disc-less PlayStation 6 likely launching in 2028. This decision is expected to reduce console manufacturing costs and shift the market further towards digital distribution, impacting game pricing and consumer ownership. While some see it as a necessary evolution, concerns remain about preservation and the second-hand market.
Hideo Kojima is "really sad" about PlayStation ending physical disc production, warns against "frightening" streaming-only future: "You don't actually possess the data yourself"
Hideo Kojima expressed sadness and concern over Sony's decision to end new PlayStation physical disc production in 2028, warning of a "frightening" future dominated by streaming-only access. He highlighted concerns about data ownership and the potential loss of access to games and movies if servers are ever shut down or content is removed. Other developers, like Larian Studios, have also voiced disappointment with the move.
Death Stranding director Hideo Kojima "really sad" about Sony ending physical disc production, and says lack of media ownership has "frightening" possibilities
Hideo Kojima expressed sadness and concern over Sony's decision to end physical disc production in January 2028, highlighting the frightening possibilities of losing media ownership with the rise of cloud streaming. He drew parallels to subscription services like Netflix, warning that a shift away from physical media could lead to a future where access to games and movies is revoked due to political or other changes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.