‘It Will Not Disturb the Industry Much’: Major Publisher Doesn’t Believe PS5’s Disc Debacle Will Change Anything
Ubisoft chief executive Yves Guillemot has said Sony’s reported plan to stop making disc-based PlayStation games from January 2028 is unlikely to disrupt the games industry significantly. He argued that digital distribution helped expand the PC market and could enable more affordable hardware, although the change remains contentious because it may reduce consumer ownership and harm game preservation.
Guillemot’s comments follow SEGA’s description of digital distribution as crucial, while maintaining it would not entirely abandon physical releases. The article notes that US physical game sales have fallen sharply, and says publishers could benefit from removing used-game sales and physical distribution costs; however, fans continue to object to Sony’s apparent direction.
In short
- Ubisoft expects Sony’s digital shift to have limited industry impact.
- Digital-only hardware may lower costs, but consumer drawbacks remain.
- Physical games could become unavailable from January 2028.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those supporting digital-only distribution argue it represents natural technological evolution already proven successful in PC gaming. They point out that digital removes distribution costs that can be passed to consumers through cheaper hardware, and addresses industry concerns about used game sales undermining new game revenue. The transition, they contend, follows established precedent and enables market progress without fundamentally disrupting how consumers access entertainment.
The case against
Critics argue that eliminating physical media removes consumer ownership rights and creates preservation risks if server infrastructure eventually closes. They maintain that digital distribution requires reliable internet access, disadvantaging those in areas with poor connectivity or data caps, and that removing consumer choice between formats shifts control from buyers to corporations. Consumer autonomy and game preservation, they insist, are principles that should not be sacrificed for publisher convenience.
Explained simply
Sony is planning to stop manufacturing disc-based PlayStation 5 games from January 2028, meaning people would only be able to buy games as downloads rather than physical discs. This matters because physical discs are items people can own, share with others, and keep indefinitely, whereas downloaded games typically come with restrictions on transfer and may disappear if online services are shut down.
Major publishers including Ubisoft and SEGA have largely backed the move to digital-only sales, arguing that it helped expand the PC gaming market and could allow Sony to produce cheaper hardware. However, the shift has sparked strong opposition from gamers concerned about losing ownership rights and the long-term preservation of games that might become unavailable.
The change reflects broader market trends, with physical game sales in the US having fallen sharply in recent years. Publishers stand to benefit from eliminating used-game sales and removing physical distribution costs, though the move remains controversial because it may limit consumer choice and control over their purchases.
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