After Sony announced that it would stop releasing PlayStation physical disc games starting in 2028, it triggered a continued backlash from players. However, just as the outside world was quarreling, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot publicly stood on Sony’s side, saying frankly that he did not think this decision would have a big impact on the game industry.
Ubisoft boss: PC has already proven it
During Ubisoft’s latest earnings call, Guillemot was asked what he thought of Sony moving away from physical discs. He said that the PC platform has already been almost fully digitized, and this change has helped the PC game market continue to expand. Therefore, he believes that PlayStation’s move to the same model will not have much impact on the overall industry. In other words, he thinks gamers will eventually adapt to digital, just like PC gamers have for years.
Players are still arguing, but Ubisoft chooses to support it!
Guillemot’s statement contrasts with that of many in the industry in recent times. Many developers, publishers and analysts have previously worried that full digitization will impact game preservation, the second-hand market and player ownership. Some people believe that the physical version can still reach some players that cannot be reached by digital platforms. However, Ubisoft clearly believes that the market has already moved towards digital, and PlayStation is just keeping up with this trend, rather than subverting the industry.