Sony has made some serious waves after announcing that the company will no longer make physical game copies after 2028, and it’s one of the handful of reasons that gamers have been turning their backs on the PS5 and embracing the Switch 2 instead. When it comes to consoles, Sony has been a go-to for millions of gamers, but the tides look like they are turning a little bit. As the company struggles to fully deliver on the once-promising PS5 era, gamers are looking to other options.
The future is looking bleak for physical media lovers. While services like Spotify have put a dent in CD and vinyl sales, other platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have made the thought of buying a DVD seem like an archaic act. Now, Sony has taken the next big step with video games. The announcement that Sony will stop making physical games after 2028 has sparked controversy. This is specifically for new games, but it still stings deeply, and some gamers have considered it the final straw when it comes to Sony-made products.
PlayStation’s Biggest Disc Producing Site Is Already Being Repurposed
While disc-based PlayStation games will still be releasing until 2028, Sony is already starting to cut back on its production of physical copies.
It isn’t just the end of physical games that have been inspiring longtime gamers to set aside console-specific loyalty. The PS5 has now been around for nearly six years at this point, and many loyal users have seen this generation as a bust. What was expected to be the future of the console feels barren, with many citing a lack of AAA exclusives and multiple price increases as other big reasons they have decided to leave the PS5 behind.
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Granted, there have been Switch 2 price increases, too. However, it’s still cheaper than the PS5 in general (plus, it’s portable). The fact that the PS5 Pro now costs $900 after it originally launched for $700 is mind-boggling. A variety of factors, like the RAM shortage and supply issues, have been claimed as the reasons behind these price increases, but it has proven to be too much for a lot of people who were once Sony die-hards. Paying that much for a console that hasn’t been putting out the number of AAA exclusives that many expected has pushed them to explore other avenues.
The Slow Death of Physical Media Isn’t Just a Sony Problem, But the Company Seems Determined to Lead the Charge
Also, even though Sony’s decision to stop physical game production in the next few years is upsetting, it definitely isn’t shocking. Even Nintendo has faced controversy over the Switch 2’s Game-Key Cards. Instead of an actual disc, the Game-Key Cards simply act as a license key. It’s another upsetting move away from physical media, but this route still at least allows gamers to own collectible boxes. Of course, that isn’t as satisfying as an actual disc, but it’s better than no box at all.
One of the biggest games to forego a disc is GTA 6. It’s no secret that the GTA 6 release date is going to be a massive moment for the industry, but the lack of a disc for its pre-orders has fans frustrated and confused. With the Standard Edition costing $80 and the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition being $100, many gamers who have grown up with discs are upset at paying so much when they don’t actually really own anything at the end of the day.
Even though both the Standard and Ultimate Editions of GTA 6 are both disc-less, the latter features exclusive content that keeps features like in-game shops, cosmetics, and even some side missions behind a pay wall.
The Switch 2’s Library Is Continuing to Grow Larger, and That’s Becoming Harder to Turn Down
It’s important to note that even though the PS5’s exclusive lineup has been slow to get rolling, this generation hasn’t been completely empty. There have been a handful of strong Sony exclusive games since the console launched, but as the Switch 2’s library expands its horizon beyond Nintendo’s reach, it’s understandable why so many gamers would want to choose it over the PS5.
The Biggest PS5 Exclusive Since the Console’s Launch
- Astro’s Playroom
- Demon’s Souls remake
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Returnal
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Astro Bot
- Death Stranding 2
- Ghost of Yotei
- Saros
There are even more games on the way, which is at least good news for those who are planning on remaining faithful to the Sony ecosystem. Marvel’s Wolverine‘s release date is slated for the busy September 2026 game calendar, and upcoming projects like God of War Laufey and Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet are expected to be strong additions to the lineup. It still might not be enough to win back the gamers who have opted for the Switch 2, though.
The Switch 2 isn’t the only change that gamers have been making. Instead of the Switch 2, others have been venturing into the world of PC gaming. Even though storefronts like Steam run on digital-only games, the library is significantly larger than what the PS5 exclusive roster has to offer at the moment.
With the Switch 2 being able to run games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Requiem, there are expectations that future heavy hitters like GTA 6 and The Witcher 4 will be able to run on it. The Nintendo console’s hardware is on par with the Xbox Series S, so something like a GTA 6 Switch 2 version definitely isn’t impossible. Major third-party games may not be an answer to ex-PS5 users’ exclusive woes, but it’s still a solid library that is only going to continue growing.
There are already plenty of PS6 leaks and rumors circulating, with some even claiming that the next-gen console will cost more than the Steam Machine. For those who haven’t seen the eye-watering price point, the Steam Machine costs $1,049 for just the base model. If the price of the PS6 is over $1,000 and doesn’t have any physical game releases, there is a good chance that an even larger number of gamers will skip buying the console altogether.
