CD Projekt Red has pledged to release a boxed edition of The Witcher 4 for PlayStation, even if Sony's future hardware policies prevent the inclusion of a physical disc. This commitment comes amid industry speculation that Sony may shift to a completely digital format for PlayStation games by 2028, potentially aligning with the launch of the PlayStation 6.
Michał Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt Red, stated that while the studio has no control over the inclusion of discs due to first-party manufacturing requirements, the company is dedicated to offering physical collector's items. "We're big fans of people having access to tangible, collectible things," Nowakowski told The Game Business, as reported by Eurogamer. "We're nerds ourselves, and we like that. We always supported that."
This means that even if a game disc cannot be included, CD Projekt Red intends to provide a physical box containing other "feelies" – a term for physical extras found in game packaging. This approach acknowledges the desire among many players to own tangible items associated with their favorite games, a sentiment that has grown as digital distribution becomes increasingly dominant.
While the size and scope of game boxes have diminished since the era of large cardboard packaging containing cloth maps and elaborate inserts, the concept of a physical product remains important to the studio. CD Projekt Red's stance suggests a continued effort to cater to collectors and fans who value the tactile experience of unboxing a game, even if the primary content is no longer playable directly from a disc. The studio aims to ensure that its releases retain an element of collectible appeal, offering physical content that players can enjoy opening and displaying.