Sony's decision to completely abandon PlayStation game discs by early 2028 may not just be a change in the way games are sold, but a move that could reshape the entire gaming industry. However, despite this significant shift, renowned Circana analyst Matt Piscatella believes there is one company that will not easily follow this path: Nintendo.
In an interview with Video Games Chronicle, Piscatella explained that what Sony announced was not surprising, but rather a natural result of market trends over recent years, where digital games have gradually begun to dominate over physical copies.
He added that Sony's decision, along with reports suggesting that Microsoft is considering shifting ownership of physical games to digital ownership, makes it reasonable to expect that both PlayStation 6 and the anticipated Project Helix will be entirely digital devices, with no support for discs.
“Due to consumer preferences and strategic decisions by manufacturers, we have reached the point where Sony has announced it will stop producing physical discs starting January 2028. This means a further decline in game sales at retail stores, even if companies continue to sell boxes containing download codes or special editions. It is now safe to assume that both PS6 and Project Helix will be entirely digital devices.”
Despite these predictions, Piscatella asserts that he does not see Nintendo abandoning physical games in the near future, but expects the company to stick to discs and cards at least until the end of the Nintendo Switch 2 lifecycle.
He pointed out that Nintendo has always followed its own philosophy, independent of its competitors' moves.
“I believe that Nintendo will continue to do what it wants, and I do not expect it to change its plans because of any steps taken by Sony or Microsoft. Nintendo will remain Nintendo… whether some consider that a good or bad thing.”
Piscatella believes that the shelves of game stores will not completely disappear after Sony's decision, but they will look different from what players are used to.
Instead of game discs, there will be more boxes containing digital download codes, along with special editions, memorabilia, and products aimed at collectors.
“The boxes will not disappear from stores, but we will see more digital code containers, more special editions, and memorabilia products. However, spending on physical games will continue to decline year after year.”
Despite his confidence in some predictions, Piscatella admits that no one can know what will happen in the coming years, especially since Sony's announcement is still very fresh, and the sector may witness unexpected developments in the days ahead.
“We are now trying to predict the future amidst a state of chaos. Today is still in its infancy, and everything may change today or tomorrow or even at the beginning of next week. The situation is indeed crazy.”
Despite the major controversy the decision has sparked, Sony has seen an immediate gain in the stock market, with its share price rising about 3.2% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange following the announcement.
Meanwhile, concerns have not been limited to players alone, as the famous director Hideo Kojima previously expressed concern about a future in which games and entertainment media are fully digitized, while analysts believe that Sony's decision clearly reveals the contours of its strategy for the next generation of PlayStation devices.
I have loved video games since the days of the family console, and I prefer adventure games like Tomb Raider and Assassins Creed (before the shift to RPG), I have no bias towards any home console; for me, the best is the one that offers the most outstanding games. What matters to me is the experience of compelling storytelling, for the story is the foundation of enjoyment more than gameplay.
Expect about eight years of continuous support.