Major gaming platforms are transitioning away from physical media as PlayStation announced plans to cease disc production for new game releases beginning in 2028, whilst Nintendo has begun replacing Switch 2 cartridges with Game-Key Cards. This shift marks a significant change in how consumers access games across the industry.

Game director Yoko Taro voiced disappointment about the trend, explaining he had anticipated publishers would preserve physical distribution for premium limited editions even as digital downloads became standard—following the historical model of physical music CDs. He expressed sadness over the disappearance of physical media options whilst acknowledging the industry's inevitable direction, noting his earlier expectations proved incorrect.