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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Ken Kutaragi, the architect of the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, says Sony’s move away from game discs has created “friction” with dedicated players. He understands why a disc represents ownership to fans, but says maintaining disc infrastructure is no longer economically reasonable for a networked platform.
What Ken Kutaragi said
In an interview with VGC’s Andy Robinson at the Game Republic New Horizons event on 16 October 2026, Kutaragi said Sony’s handling of the transition had “caused some friction with game enthusiasts.” His comments are his personal assessment, not a new PlayStation policy announcement.
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Kutaragi said, “I understand that physical discs have become a metaphor for ‘owning’ games. I really understand that mentality…” He added that he understood why players were upset but did not think continuing to dedicate resources to discs was economically reasonable, describing the disagreement as possibly “a mentality issue.”
He also suggested that Sony’s current leadership may see PlayStation less as a traditional console and more as a network-connected content terminal. Kutaragi associated that outlook partly with people from Gaikai and other streaming businesses joining the organisation. That observation does not mean every PlayStation game is already streaming-only; it describes how he believes the platform is being positioned.
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When Sony plans to stop making new game discs
Sony executives have said manufacturing of new PlayStation game discs is planned to end from January 2028. Chief financial officer Lin Tao cited the digitalisation of content as the main reason and said Sony would proceed cautiously after considering strong community opinions.
The announced date concerns manufacturing new discs. It does not establish that every existing physical game will vanish immediately, that retailers will stop selling remaining stock on that date, or that all future releases will necessarily have identical availability in every country.
Why Sony says the economics have changed
Sony’s reported sales mix shows why its leadership considers discs a shrinking part of the business.
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| Measure | Reported figure | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Full-game purchases | 78% digital | Sony’s fiscal year ending 31 March 2026, as reported by Ars Technica; this is a company-period purchase mix, not a universal figure for every market or game. |
| US physical game units | 297 million to 37 million | Circana figures comparing June 2008–June 2009 with its latest reported year in 2026; the comparison covers the US and different time periods. |
| Game revenue, April–June 2026 | $1.2 billion digital; $128 million physical | Sony’s FY26 Q1 figures reported by Tom’s Hardware; these are company financial results, not an independently audited estimate in the report. |
Digital distribution removes manufacturing, pressing and much of the physical logistics required for discs. It also delivers games instantly and supports a store-and-network model that Sony says is easier to operate at scale. Sony has argued that discs are no longer a major platform differentiator, while curated content, a stable game environment and a lower total cost than a high-end gaming PC remain central to PlayStation’s value.
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Why players treat a disc as ownership
The dispute is not only about delivery technology. A physical copy gives the buyer a tangible object and several forms of control that a digital licence generally does not provide in the same way.
- Resale: Owners can sell a used disc and recover part of its cost. Digital copies cannot normally be resold through an equivalent open second-hand market.
- Lending and sharing: A disc can be handed to a friend or family member, subject to the game’s platform and account requirements.
- Price flexibility: Used retailers and clearance sales can make physical games cheaper than their digital-store prices.
- Collecting: The box, disc and printed materials have value as a personal collection.
- Preservation and access: A disc can remain playable after a retailer listing changes, although patches, licences, account checks and online services may still affect how a particular game works.
Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden expressed the underlying concern directly: “If you can’t sell a thing, that means you don’t own a thing. And if you don’t own it, then what are you buying?” He described the possible effect on the brand as significant.
Digital convenience versus physical control
| Question | Physical disc | Digital purchase |
|---|---|---|
| How do you receive the game? | Buy, ship or collect a disc and install it. | Download from the PlayStation Store after purchase. |
| Can you resell it? | Usually, through a second-hand transaction. | Not through an equivalent standard resale process. |
| Can you lend it? | Yes, by transferring the disc, subject to platform requirements. | Access is generally tied to the purchasing account. |
| Up-front convenience | Requires stock, delivery or a store visit. | Immediate download when the store and internet connection are available. |
| Long-term dependence | May still require patches, updates or online services. | Depends on account access, store availability, downloads and any required servers. |
Neither format guarantees permanent access in every circumstance. A disc may contain only part of a modern game, while a digital purchase depends on account authentication and the continued ability to download it. The formats differ most clearly in resale, lending and the buyer’s ability to hold a transferable object.
What the change means for PS5 buyers
Will PS5 games still be available physically?
Based on Sony’s stated plan, new-disc manufacturing is targeted to stop in January 2028, not immediately. Physical PS5 releases and remaining inventory can therefore continue before that date, but Sony has not established that every title, region or retailer will receive a disc edition up to the cutoff.
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Should you buy physical games before 2028?
Buy physical editions when resale, lending, collecting or access to used-game prices matters to you. The date alone is not proof that a particular game will become rare or more valuable, and no guaranteed scarcity premium has been announced. Check the edition’s contents: some discs require substantial downloads, online servers or account entitlements.
Do digital games count as ownership?
A digital purchase gives you a licence and account-based access under the store’s terms. It provides convenience and, while the title remains available to download and run, practical access to the game. It does not provide the same resale or lending rights as a transferable disc, which is why Kutaragi described the disc as a metaphor for ownership rather than merely a storage medium.
The trust problem Sony still has to solve
Sony’s financial data supports its argument that digital delivery is now the dominant business model. Kutaragi’s comments show why that economic case does not settle the consumer question. Players are weighing convenience and lower distribution overhead against control, resale, preservation and the reassurance of possessing something tangible.
The unresolved issue is whether PlayStation can explain digital access clearly enough to preserve that trust as disc production winds down. The January 2028 target marks a major change in manufacturing, but the relationship with physical-game buyers will depend on how Sony handles existing libraries, retail availability, offline functionality and long-term access.
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