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In response to Sony’s announcement to end physical media in 2028, the team here wanted to discuss the impact physical games have had in our lives. Let’s reminisce and ponder some great memories and just enjoy what Sony is taking away from us.

Downs

Where Do We Go From Here?

With Sony’s announcement that it will discontinue physical disc production beginning in January 2028, the gaming community was hit with a massive shockwave. Much of the conversation has centered around the loss of physical media, and understandably so. It marks the end of an era for many players.

At the same time, I can’t help but wonder how much of the outrage reflects the broader gaming audience versus an online echo chamber. Social media naturally amplifies the loudest voices, and there are certainly people capitalizing on the controversy for engagement. Ironically, I’d wager many of those same people haven’t regularly purchased physical games in years, meaning this decision won’t meaningfully change their buying habits.

Closing a Chapter

That doesn’t make the concern any less real.
For those of us who have spent years collecting, preserving, and sharing physical games, this isn’t just another corporate decision. It’s the closing of a chapter in gaming history. Losing physical media isn’t the end of gaming, but it is the end of a tradition that has been part of the hobby for decades.

For me, though, it absolutely does matter.
I’ve always been a physical-first gamer. If it’s a game I truly care about and a physical version exists, chances are I own it. Over the years I’ve built a library of more than 1,000 games spanning over 30 different platforms.

At the same time, I’ve also come to realize that maintaining a collection of that size isn’t practical forever. I’m passionate about preserving games, but unless you want your house to become a shrine dedicated to plastic cases, eventually you have to make some decisions.

That’s why I’ve gradually embraced digital gaming where it makes sense. Years ago my collection peaked at over 3,000 games. Since then I’ve reduced it to around 1,000 physical games, yet I haven’t actually lost access to most of those titles because I digitized them. Whether that’s through storefronts like Steam or through preservation methods like EverDrives and optical drive emulators, digital has already become a meaningful part of how I play games.

Still Disappointed

Sony’s announcement was still disappointing.

It wasn’t just the loss of discs—it felt like an entire way of playing games was being abandoned. If I decide to buy a PS6, or even continue collecting PS5 games, Sony has dramatically reduced the options available to someone like me. From my perspective, they’re essentially saying that customers who prioritize physical ownership are no longer worth accommodating. They know the overwhelming majority of players will continue buying games digitally, so any lost sales from collectors like myself are an acceptable tradeoff.

At that point, all I can really do is dust off my feet and move on.

The reality is that digital distribution is the future of gaming. That outcome has felt inevitable for years. The more important question now is what kind of future we’re supporting with our wallets.

Are we investing in platforms that value ownership and preservation? Or are we supporting increasingly closed ecosystems where games become little more than long-term rentals? Are we moving toward a future where ownership disappears entirely in favor of cloud subscriptions and Netflix-style libraries?

Those questions matter far more to me than whether a game comes on a disc or a download.

Looking Forward

Going forward, my own buying habits will probably shift. Nintendo’s cartridge-based releases will likely become my primary source for physical games, while PC platforms like Steam and GOG will handle most of my digital purchases. Thankfully, I’m not exactly running out of games to play. There are well over 10,000 games released over the past fifty years that I’d still love to experience. Missing the latest blockbuster every now and then isn’t the end of the world, especially when most people my age are already balancing careers, families, and responsibilities that naturally take priority over gaming.
Even so, I’ll always have a soft spot for physical games.

I know they’ll probably continue fading away, much like Sony has chosen to do with its own physical ecosystem. But physical games carry something that digital files simply can’t replicate: memories.

The Memories

One recent milestone perfectly illustrates that.

If you’ve read my quarterly blogs, you know one of my long-term goals has been completing the North American PS Vita library. While I’m still working on a few odds and ends, I recently crossed one of the biggest milestones by obtaining all 317 U.S. retail releases.

Ironically, the final game was (paid link) Supremacy MMA.

I have absolutely no attachment to that game itself. I’ve never played it, and I doubt it’ll become a favorite. But every time I look at that case on my shelf, I’ll remember what it represents. It marks the completion of a years-long hunt. It’s a trophy—not because of the game, but because of the journey. That’s a feeling a digital license simply can’t recreate.

Another memory that immediately comes to mind is buying Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

I remember preordering it as a kid and eagerly waiting for release day. Back then the internet wasn’t the all-encompassing source of information it is today. We didn’t know the entire roster months in advance. My internet connection was slow enough that watching trailers online wasn’t exactly easy, so much of the game remained a mystery.

On the drive home, I remember opening the case and flipping through the instruction manual. Every page revealed new characters alongside familiar faces. It felt like uncovering secrets before I’d even put the disc into the console.

Playing Locally With Friends

Not long after, I’d throw a handful of GameCube and Wii games into a bag along with several controllers before heading over to a friend’s house. We’d play whatever someone happened to bring. There weren’t endless YouTube reviews telling us what was good or bad before we ever touched the game. We simply experienced it for ourselves, talked about it afterward, and formed our own opinions.

Those are memories I still carry today.
That’s ultimately what physical media represents to me. An icon on a screen doesn’t carry the same emotional weight as picking up a cartridge or opening a game case. Holding that object instantly brings back memories of where I bought it, who I played it with, and what was happening in my life at the time.

It’s difficult to fully explain because it’s more of a feeling than a tangible feature.
I suspect it’s also a feeling that future generations of gamers may never experience in quite the same way.

What to do in Days Ahead

But I don’t think that means all hope is lost.

Physical discs may be disappearing, but the ideas behind them don’t have to disappear with them. Ownership, preservation, and sharing games with others are values that extend beyond any single format. We should absolutely make our voices heard when companies move away from consumer ownership, because if we don’t, those choices will only become easier to make in the future.

At the same time, we shouldn’t waste our energy mourning something that’s already been decided. Instead, we should focus on supporting the companies and platforms that still respect ownership. Buy physical releases where they’re still available. Support storefronts that let you truly own your purchases. Preserve older hardware and software when you can. Share your favorite games and the stories behind them with the next generation.

A leopard can’t change its spots, and Sony has made its direction clear. But that doesn’t mean we’re out of options. The format may change, yet our passion for games, the memories we’ve built around them, and the desire to preserve them for the future are things no company can take away.
Maybe future gamers won’t know the excitement of opening a game case on the ride home or discovering a favorite game sitting on a shelf years later. They’ll create different memories instead.

As for me, I’ll always be grateful that I got to experience both.

Andrew

Sony’s Decision

With the announcement of Sony discontinuing physical discs, I have sworn off the idea of the Playstation 6. I know this sounds extreme to some, especially when I own and play a Steam Deck. However, I feel the difference is sales and how much money is put into it. A vast majority of my Steam library came from sales where I got games for $1-10 a piece. Typically they were in the $7 or below range if I’m being extra specific.

Meaning, I did not put a whole ton of money into the games I play digitally, with most major releases being bought physically for another system. Take (paid link) Resident Evil Requiem for example or (paid link) Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD. Both games I bought physically, although Game Key Cards, but the point stands.

My Favorite Memories of Physical Purchases

We never know how precious childhood memories or any memory really is until it’s past. That’s why I’m going to dramatically pull out some tissues and tell you three different situations involving physical games that are pretty special to me.

Digimon World 3

So I was in, I would say, maybe 9th grade when I got this day. For reference, this was in 2009 or 2010 depending on the month when this fell in my lap. My mother actually called me while I was on the bus and asked if I had (paid link) Digimon World 3. She knew I played the games but couldn’t remember which ones I had. Anyway, she proceeded to tell me she was at Goodwill and they had a copy. This was back when they still put good games on the shelf for cheap around here. I believe it was a dollar but two dollars at max. I don’t remember when that changed over in my area.

The excitement I had the entire day to get back home was intense. I recalled playing some of Digimon World 3 as a rental at a local video store. However, they sold their “old” game after a while. I did luck into buying their (paid link) Digimon World 2 copy but unfortunately missed the 3rd game. I got home and immediately booted it up. That’s the same copy I have today.

Switch 2

This is certainly a very recent memory of mine but it’s something I definitely will hold in high regard for a while. This memory isn’t tied to any specific physical game I bought but more do the excitement I had when I went to pick my nephew up and go to GameStop to pick all the games up. These included (paid links) Bravely Default, Cyberpunk 2077, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, Mario Kart World and Guardians of Azuma. My nephew and I played a ton of Mario Kart that day and had a lot of fun with it.

That will always be a special memory because of the trip involved and also getting my (paid link) Switch 2 delivered at my house at 6:20 A.M. That’s something that would just be missed if we end up in an all digital market. The excitement won’t be there any longer, not in the same way.

Charle

Physical games and digital domination: the future to preserve history

Recently, Sony announced they are stopping production of physical discs in 2028. This means all new games from that point on will be sold exclusively online and digital only. This will allow them to experiment with dynamic pricing, which would give them a stronger market hold with pricing any game they put on their digital marketplace at any price. There will no longer be any options for physical discs. As popular and convenient digital games have become, they cannot replace that experience of buying a new game. Join me as we explore some memories I have about why physical game discs are vital to a hobby that is constantly evolving.

Memory 1:

Buying (paid link) Halo 3 at midnight launch at GameStop with friends from High School.

I’ll set the picture. 2007. My final year of high school and it was the era of Xbox 360, PS3, and Nintendo Wii. Growing up on Halo and Halo 2, the only answer to complete the story and this journey, was to go get Halo 3. And to make it better, I wasn’t alone.

The friends I went with were slightly younger than me, but I didn’t care. We all piled into a car, took a road trip to the next city from us, which was a thirty minute drive, and proceeded to get to GameStop. We got there about 9-10pm, and had to wait until 12:01 am to get our copies. Luckily, the moment the game was announced and pre orders were open, I worked my way through everything I could, saving up what little money I had to put towards Halo 3. As the hours dwindled down, we were able to play Halo 2 and other games in line, courtesy of GameStop. In the final thirty minutes, we knew it was go time.

Eventually, the time came to fall in line and go inside to pick up our games. There were quite a few people, and there was concern that they would run out, but that did not deter me from getting that game. Not only was this one of the last times I would be with this group of friends, but this game, Halo 3, marked the end of a journey that started with the launch of the Xbox.

There was the legendary edition, which came with the iconic Master Chief helmet and game, but I was happy with my limited edition. From that point on, I put in countless hours, playing Halo 3 as much as I could after high school and beyond. I would not trade that memory for anything.

Memory 2:

Getting Pokemon Soul Silver for DS over the course of time from my local game shop.

Long story short, there was one year in my life that was a time of big changes. I had moved out from my original place and scurried to find somewhere else fast.

It was my first summer in my new apartment and I was trying to get everything organized, and to build my new way of life for myself.

While finding stuff to do, I decided to check out the local game shop in town. Game Exchange. I’ve been there a handful of times, but never consistently. I decided to stop in and see what they had.

From there, I built a friendship with the staff there. I got to know everyone that worked there, what they got in, the types of games they got, and how trade ins worked. This store is the reason why my passion for Pokemon started again.

My holy Grail was getting Pokemon Soul Silver for DS. It came out in 2009, when I was in college and I couldn’t afford it. Well, the opportunity came one day that this store got a Soul Silver in, and I had to get it. I was informed about a layaway program they had and I could pay it off in 2-3 payments. After saving up and finally paying it down, it was mine. And because I did my research earlier to make sure it was authentic, I got the true DS game. Later on, I would keep track of the authentic box, and Poke Walker that the game came with.

Getting that game was incredible. Pokemon Silver was my favorite game growing up, after generation 1. And this was the best remake of the DS era. From that point on, I was on the hunt for authentic, DS and 3DS era physical Pokemon and other games. It made hunting fun again , as well as giving me a deeper appreciation for collection and preservation. These games were also not available digitally, so paying higher prices to get them was my only choice. By getting it from Game Exchange, I’m supporting a local game store, but I also get to be part of the journey getting this wonderful game.

This quest to get more DS games stressed to me the importance of physical games. This was documented history of a timeless era. I would do my best to play the best games that came out, and experience them fresh either again, or for the first time.