iam8bit, a company recognized for its physical gaming collectibles, has expressed profound disappointment following Sony's announcement that it will discontinue support for physical PlayStation discs beginning in 2028. The company stated that "Physical games are vital to games preservation, ownership, and consumer choice," values it has upheld since its first physical release in 2016. iam8bit affirmed its continued commitment to these principles, concluding with a sentiment of "Long live physical media."
The company maintains strong collaborations with various game developers and publishers, including Blizzard, Remedy, Capcom, Annapurna, and Xbox, on the production of physical games and merchandise. Beyond collectibles, iam8bit also releases vinyl soundtracks for titles like Arc Raiders and Persona, and actively funds and publishes games through its iam8bit Presents label.
Independent developer Aeternum Game Studios also reacted to Sony's impending shift, reiterating its own dedication to providing physical editions of its games. The studio pledged to "work urgently to bring every game we create--and those already on the way--tangibly to your shelves before that fateful early 2028 deadline." Aeternum added that it would not abandon its commitment to physical releases despite potential industry changes, promising that "Your shelves will keep being filled with stories."
While Sony continues to sell millions of physical, disc-based games annually, the overall trend indicates a year-over-year decline, a trajectory anticipated to persist across the industry. Sony's decision to cease disc support in January 2028 implies that the PlayStation 6 will likely not accommodate physical discs. Reports also suggest that Microsoft's upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix, may follow a similar disc-less path.