Sony's decision to eliminate disc-based games for its consoles starting in January 2028 is moving forward with no possibility of turning back. After weeks of controversy and criticism from gamers, the Japanese company broke its silence at the latest investor meeting to confirm that the plan is firm. Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao insisted that the digitization of content is an unstoppable trend affecting the entire entertainment industry, and that PlayStation is no exception. However, sales figures and community reactions reveal a more complex reality than Sony is willing to acknowledge.
The original announcement, made on July 1st, came as a bombshell. Just days before, it had been confirmed that 'GTA VI' wouldn't be released in physical format, and now Sony was closing the door on discs in its ecosystem. The user response was immediate and negative, with campaigns like #PSBlackout and #NoDiscNoBuy, but the company has maintained a firm, even arrogant, stance in some people's opinion. Now, the multinational has begun including a notice on the boxes of PS5 consoles with a disc drive, informing users that, starting in 2028, new games will only be available digitally on the PS Store and in retail outlets. This message, shared by the user Behind The Games, is already appearing in stores and leaves no doubt about the future.
Sony's position: no turning back
In the call with shareholders, Lin Tao addressed questions about the negative reaction from gamers. He assured them that they understand the strong emotional attachment to physical media, but that the decision was carefully considered and not taken lightly. "There are several reasons why we made this decision, the main one being that the digitization of content in general has continued unabated. Not just for PlayStation, but for all types of content," he explained. He also maintained that the company has received diverse opinions, but that they will move forward with their plan. This response has been interpreted as a sign that Sony's priorities are clearly aligned with investors, not users , and that reversing course is impossible.
Sony itself has already begun converting its Blu-ray factory in Austria, one of the world's largest, reinforcing the idea that the disc is losing ground in the industry and its demise is irreversible. It has also been leaked that the company has contacted major retailers to discuss physical editions containing download codes instead of discs, a practice already seen in some titles. In this regard, Lin Tao noted that "the physical format will still exist, even if it's with the codes inside a box," but this doesn't satisfy collectors or those who value the physical ownership of games.
The numbers don't support Sony's claim.
The analytics firm Alinea Analytics has published a study that dismantles Sony's argument about the dwindling sales of physical media. Analyzing 10 prominent PlayStation titles, the study reveals that games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth achieve 48% physical sales, and Astro Bot 45,8% . At the other end of the spectrum, titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Madden NFL 26 hover around 10-12%, but these are specific cases that cater to digital audiences. Analyst Rhys Elliott explains that single-player games with a strong collector's component continue to have a significant base of physical buyers, something Sony seems to be ignoring.
These figures contradict Sony's claim that physical media is becoming obsolete. In games like Assassin's Creed Shadows, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Monster Hunter Wilds, over 30% of PS5 sales are physical. Furthermore, profit margins must be considered: a physical sale of a €70 game nets Sony around €45, while a digital sale brings in the full €70. Therefore, the decision to eliminate discs is seen as a strategy to push players toward the digital store, where the company has more control over pricing and captures the entire profit margin.
Community and Anonymous reaction
The players' response was swift. The #PSBlackout movement called for a week-long digital strike in August, in which users pledged not to play or buy anything on PlayStation. However, many consider this measure insufficient. On Reddit, several users pointed out that a one-week boycott without major releases would have no real effect, and that the only way for Sony to change course would be to permanently stop buying digital games or abandon the platform altogether. "It's no different than when a toddler throws a tantrum for a while to see if their parents will buy them the toy they want," one user commented.
On the other hand, the Anonymous collective has issued a statement on Twitter (now X) in which they rigorously analyze the situation and issue two important warnings. The first is that the word "buy" in the digital realm does not mean ownership, but rather obtaining a limited-use license . Companies can remove content whenever they want, as has already happened with games and movies. The second recommendation is clear: if you enjoy music, video games, or movies, buy them in physical format while you can. In the case of video games, websites like Does it Play? tell you whether a disc actually contains the game or just an installer, so you can keep it and make backups.
Furthermore, it has been discovered that many physical PS5 and Xbox Series games do not work offline or require mandatory patches. According to data from Does it Play?, on Xbox Series only 50% of the 78 games tested worked out of the box, and on PS5, 34% of the 792 games required downloads to fix bugs or unlock content. This calls into question the supposed advantage of physical media, but also demonstrates that current discs are not as "physical" as they should be, since they depend on an internet connection and the companies' servers.
PlayStation's financial data and future
Sony's latest financial report reveals that the PS5 has sold 95,3 million units worldwide, with 1,6 million sold in the last quarter. Although hardware sales fell slightly, the company reported operating income of $1,2 billion, a 37% increase year-over-year. Most striking is that 85% of PlayStation game sales are digital , a figure the company uses to justify its strategy. However, this percentage has been artificially inflated because Sony has been pushing users toward the digital store with exclusive offers and special editions.
Looking ahead, Sony has assured that RAM supply is guaranteed for fiscal year 2026, but component shortages remain a concern. Regarding the upcoming PlayStation 6 , the company hasn't provided details, but all indications point to it being 100% digital, and a portable model is rumored. Meanwhile, Lin Tao has maintained that PlayStation will not lose its identity to the PC, as it will differentiate itself through its exclusive catalog, stable environment, and more affordable price. The transition to a completely digital ecosystem will be done "cautiously," but without looking back.
The controversy is far from over. While Sony insists that digitization is unstoppable, data shows that a significant portion of gamers still prefer physical formats for reasons of ownership, collecting, and preservation. The community has organized protests, but the company seems willing to ignore them, confident that its major exclusives like Marvel's Wolverine and God of War: Laufey will maintain user interest. However, the risk of alienating a loyal customer base and accelerating the exodus to PC is real and could have long-term consequences.
In short, Sony has made it clear that its commitment to digital is unwavering and there's no turning back. The warnings on PS5 boxes are already a reality, and the conversion of the disc factory in Austria is underway. Gamers who want to continue enjoying their games on physical media have just over a year and a half to buy their favorite titles, and speculators are already on high alert. The preservation of physical media, at least on PlayStation, is numbered, and it remains to be seen whether community pressure can change anything, although everything indicates that it won't.
