Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida has weighed in on Sony's reported plans to cease support for physical game discs by 2028, suggesting it may not be a significant concern for most players. Yoshida told Gamerbraves that he was unaware of the specific timeline but acknowledged the evolving landscape of game distribution. He stated that for many, the transition might not be a major issue because digital games already necessitate downloads for patches, DLC, and updates. "Even with physical disc games, in most cases, developers are constantly updating and adding game data anyway," Yoshida explained. "Anyone who chooses to purchase a physical version will still need to download new patches, DLC, or updates. So, not having a disc, I don’t understand if it’s such a big issue."
However, Yoshida conceded that the end of physical media would be a disappointment for collectors. "It would be a shame if physical games were no longer available to collect," he said. He also commented on the potential impact on pricing and the secondhand market. Regarding digital prices, Yoshida noted that "the digital price point can be anything," implying less control over pricing compared to physical releases. An industry expert suggested that Sony's move could be aimed at increasing price control and overall profitability. The absence of physical discs would also significantly affect the resale market, which Yoshida acknowledged could "become an issue" for those who buy and sell games.
While Sony's decision may offer business advantages, it has raised concerns among players regarding game preservation and other issues. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot echoed some of Yoshida's sentiments, stating that while there are "pluses and minuses" to the end of physical media, he believes it "will not disturb too much the industry."
Sony's potential move away from physical discs comes as the company navigates uncertainty surrounding the release timeline and cost of the PlayStation 6, influenced by ongoing memory and component shortages. The gaming industry has seen rising costs in recent years, with publishers like Sony exploring various strategies in response to market dynamics.