PlayStation is reportedly surveying game developers about their thoughts on physical game sales in the wake of significant backlash to the company's decision to cease production of physical game discs. This move by Sony comes as fans have vocally expressed their displeasure with the shift towards an all-digital future.
According to content creator Tom, who discussed the matter on the Broken Silicon Podcast, Sony has distributed a lengthy survey to developers. He claims that a question within the survey indirectly addresses the company's decision to discontinue physical discs, asking developers for feedback on the matter. Tom suggested that this indicates Sony may be aware of the negative reception and might consider a course correction.
This reported survey follows reports from gamescom where developers allegedly expressed strong disapproval of Sony's abandonment of physical games. While the existence of the survey is currently unconfirmed and should be treated with caution, it aligns with the strong sentiment observed within the development community.
Despite the developer feedback and fan outcry, Sony executives have indicated a continued commitment to their digital-first strategy. In a July investor Q&A, CFO Lin Tao acknowledged the strong opinions surrounding the decision, stating that the company understands the emotional connection many have to physical media. However, she also confirmed that Sony intends to proceed with its digital ecosystem plans, while continuing to explore how best to engage gamers within that framework.