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Sony recently announced its decision to stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028.
From that point forward, games will only be available in digital format, while previously released titles on disc will not be affected.
Reports indicate that Sony has repurposed its final physical disc factory in Austria, with workers being trained to manufacture optical microlenses for power-consumption applications.
Furthermore, Sony will be shutting down the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita by July 2027, preventing new content purchases once these stores close.
This move towards an all-digital model has sparked concerns among developers and publishers who view physical media as crucial for the gaming industry and its consumers.
To gauge the impact of ceasing physical disc production, we reached out to game companies for their insights on the implications for creators, collectors, and game preservation.
Iam8bit
Iam8bit specializes in creating premium collector’s editions of physical games, such as the Blue Prince Commissary Bundle for PS5 and an exclusive PS5 edition of Fear the Spotlight featuring unique cover and disc art.
In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, Iam8bit co-owners Jon Gibson and Amanda White expressed their disappointment with Sony’s decision to halt physical games production in 2028. They emphasized the importance of physical games for preservation, ownership, and consumer choice, values that have guided iam8bit since their first physical release in 2016.
Atari
Atari is renowned for its physical game releases, with recent announcements including a deluxe physical version of Barbie Rewind for PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2, accompanied by a Barbie doll.
The company also unveiled collector’s editions of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind and The Thing: Remastered, featuring steelbooks and additional physical items.
Atari emphasized its commitment to game preservation and catering to fans who value collecting physical editions as an integral part of their gaming experience.
Silver Lining Interactive
Silver Lining Interactive, based in Manchester, often releases physical versions of its games post-digital launch, citing this as a highly profitable aspect of their business.
Founder Luke Keighran highlighted the strong retail and wholesale markets for their games, noting that while day-one purchases may be challenging, the catalog business remains robust.
In a statement on LinkedIn, the company expressed disappointment with Sony’s decision and underscored the significant community of customers who value and cherish their physical game collections.
The company affirmed its commitment to keeping physical media accessible for players, emphasizing the importance of providing choices to the community.
Lost in Cult
Lost in Cult focuses on publishing art-focused video game books and physical editions of indie games, along with a label for curated indie games playable offline on PS5 and Switch.
The company has released physical editions of various titles, including Paper Trial, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow, Thank Goodness You’re Here, and Immortality.
Expressing deep sadness over Sony’s decision to cease physical disc production, Lost in Cult reiterated its commitment to preserving video games to the best of their ability.
Limited Run Games
Limited Run Games collaborates with developers to produce physical collector’s editions and merchandise, with their latest release being Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition for Switch 2, featuring physical items, a soundtrack CD, and a steelbook.
The company acknowledged Sony’s shift to full digital distribution as the end of an era but affirmed its dedication to meeting the demand for physical games and preserving the tradition of owning physical copies.
Strictly Limited
Strictly Limited specializes in publishing physical standard, deluxe, and collector’s editions of digital titles across various platforms.
The head of business unit, Sascha Hoffmann-Nowak, emphasized the importance of physical editions in ensuring players’ ownership and preserving video games as part of our cultural heritage.
The company committed to continuing the release of physical PS5 games and publishing physical editions regardless of platform changes, with tailored approaches for each release.
Video Game History Foundation
From a preservation standpoint, Frank Cifaldi, director of the Video Game History Foundation, noted that museums and archives have been preparing for a future without physical media.
He highlighted that while the majority of video games in recent years were not designed for physical media, efforts are needed to address how institutions can preserve digital-only content effectively.
“The vast majority of video games produced over the last two decades were not made for dedicated home video game consoles”
Frank Cifaldi
Cifaldi stressed the importance of industry collaboration to facilitate the preservation of digital content for future generations, urging meaningful solutions to address the challenges posed by the transition to all-digital distribution.