PlayStation announced back in July that starting January 2028, all new PlayStation console games would stop being produced on physical discs, leaving players to purchase digital versions through the PlayStation Store or retail outlets. Sony cited changing player consumption habits and the entertainment industry’s gradual shift to digital. Now, however, things seem to have taken a bit of a turn.
JRPG Giant Reveals: Sony Is Actually Listening
Nippon Ichi Software‘s president and NIS America head Kenzo Saruhashi recently revealed in an interview that they’ve been in ongoing discussions with Sony about the future of physical games, and that Sony is “listening to a lot of player feedback.” He added that while axing discs might still be the direction Sony ultimately goes, the discussions could still change. In other words, for now at least, that door hasn’t been completely closed.
Physical Isn’t Just Optional!
This matters especially for NIS, given that NIS America has long published JRPGs like Disgaea and frequently produces limited and collector’s editions — physical games are a key part of these products. Saruhashi also stated that NIS will continue producing physical limited editions while maintaining the quality players expect. If PlayStation fully goes digital, JRPG publishers who rely on collector’s editions and physical merchandise will need to rethink their distribution strategies.
Player Backlash Continues — Will Sony Actually Backtrack?
Sony still hasn’t officially announced any reversal of the 2028 disc policy, so “PlayStation going back” remains only a possibility — not a confirmed change. Recent reports have surfaced about Sony potentially reaching out to developers about physical game opinions, though nothing has been officially confirmed. If Sony does adjust its plans due to player and industry pressure, the next few years could become a critical turning point for whether physical games stay in the console market.