Not Just Fans, But Devs Are Also “Very Upset” With Sony’s Decision To Kill Physical Discs

Sony’s decision to end physical game production for PlayStation has gotten a ton of backlash from fans, collectors, and retailers. You’ve probably seen the online campaign fans have started against this move, and it seems like the backlash extends beyond just us consumers.

Developers and publishers are reportedly expressing serious concerns about what the shift could mean for their businesses. The claim comes shortly after Gamescom 2026, the first major industry event since Sony announced that new PlayStation games will stop being produced on physical discs from January 2028.

According to Digital Foundry’s John Linneman, the mood among studios is very negative.

Developers and Publishers Are Reportedly Unhappy With Sony

Speaking on the latest DF Direct Weekly podcast, Linneman said he discussed Sony’s decision with numerous developers and publisher representatives at Gamescom. According to him, many were “largely very upset” about the planned end of physical releases.

The reason appears to be financial. While digital sales dominate PlayStation overall, physical games remain particularly important to certain companies. Linneman explained that some developers and publishers still generate the majority of their returns through physical sales, meaning the loss of discs could have a meaningful impact on their businesses.

He also suggested that the biggest AAA publishers are less concerned because they have the scale to absorb the change. Smaller and mid-sized publishers, however, may not have the same flexibility.

There are also concerns about visibility. A physical game can occupy shelf space in stores and potentially reach customers who weren’t specifically looking for it. In an exclusively digital environment, smaller releases could find themselves competing for attention on the PlayStation Store against heavily marketed titles.

Linneman went as far as saying that there appears to be “a lot of resentment” toward Sony over the decision. He also believes some companies could put greater emphasis on Nintendo’s Switch 2, where physical releases remain an important part of the platform.

Sony Doesn’t Appear Ready To Reverse Its Decision

Will we see any change form the company? | Image Credit: Sony

Despite the reported industry frustration, there is currently little evidence that Sony intends to change course.

The company has already addressed criticism surrounding physical games but has given no clear indication that it plans to abandon its 2028 target. Other reports have also pushed back against speculation that Sony is preparing to delay the transition.

This makes the current situation particularly interesting. Sony appears committed to moving PlayStation toward an increasingly digital future, while some developers, publishers, and retailers reportedly believe physical releases remain commercially important.

There are also unverified claims that certain publishers could reconsider their PlayStation plans if physical releases are no longer possible. For now, Sony’s January 2028 deadline is still in place. Will the backlash bring about any meaningful changes? We don’t know. But the controversy is no longer limited to angry PlayStation fans.

Where do you think this situation will ultimately end up? Let us know in the comments!