Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has weighed in on Sony's decision to discontinue PlayStation discs by 2028, stating that the move has "pluses and minuses" but is unlikely to "disturb" the game industry substantially. Guillemot's perspective aligns with trends observed in the PC market, where digital storefronts have contributed to market expansion.
During a recent earnings call, Guillemot explained that the shift to digital-only platforms on PC has helped grow the market. He also suggested that eliminating physical media could lead to more accessible console prices in the future. "As you said, there are pluses and minuses," Guillemot commented, "But we think it will not disturb, too much, the industry."
This strategy mirrors the operational model of companies like Ubisoft itself, which manages its own PC storefront, Ubisoft Connect. By distributing games digitally through proprietary platforms, publishers can bypass platform fees charged by third-party retailers and digital stores, thereby retaining a larger share of revenue. For Sony, this means capturing a greater percentage of sales from its PlayStation Store compared to physical copies sold through retail partners. Some industry analysts have posited that the increasing costs associated with manufacturing next-generation consoles, such as the anticipated PlayStation 6, may also be a driving factor for Sony to seek cost savings elsewhere.
However, the transition to a discless future presents significant drawbacks for consumers. Concerns include the loss of true game ownership, potential challenges for game preservation over the long term, and the elimination of a used game market that typically offers more affordable options. The backlash from PlayStation fans on social media platforms underscores these consumer anxieties.
Ubisoft itself is currently navigating a period of restructuring, marked by layoffs, budget reductions, and delays in game development timelines. Despite these internal challenges, the publisher recently saw its earnings decline by nearly 10 percent year-over-year. However, the remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced has exceeded its projected sales for the entire year, surpassing 3.5 million copies sold.