Sony's decision to stop releasing games on physical media from 2028 continues to spark debate. Many players hoped the company would change its stance, while analysts consider such a move inevitable.
Gaming market analyst Piers Harding-Rolls believes that the transition to fully digital distribution was only a matter of time. According to him, physical editions require additional costs for disc production, logistics, and retail sales, whereas the digital model allows Sony and publishers to retain a larger share of revenue. Additionally, every purchase in the PlayStation Store generates a commission for the company.
The expert also noted the rising costs of console production. In his opinion, if the PS6 costs around $1000, it will significantly reduce the device's audience. Therefore, Sony is looking for ways to increase the profitability of its ecosystem even before the launch of the new generation.
Harding-Rolls called the abandonment of discs "generational planning." He believes that Sony decided to make one major change rather than support two game distribution models simultaneously.