Sony surveys developers on ending PlayStation disc support

Sony Interactive Entertainment is surveying developers about its plan to end disc production for PlayStation consoles, according to Moore's Law is Dead, a YouTube channel citing developer contacts.

The survey is described as unusually comprehensive. "There is a survey Sony sent out to developers that is a bigger survey than they've sent almost ever before, if not ever before," Moore's Law is Dead host Tom said, as reported by Eurogamer. The survey seeks indirect feedback on ending physical game sales, asking developers whether they see issues with how PlayStation currently sells physical games.

Sony announced in July that it would end disc production starting January 2028, citing consumer preference for digital media. "This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," the company stated. According to Game File, four-fifths of PlayStation 4 and 5 games purchased last financial year were bought digitally.

The decision has drawn criticism from industry partners. Premium collectors edition specialist Iam8bit told GamesIndustry.biz it was "profoundly disappointed" by the move, while Lost in Cult said it was "deeply saddened." PM Studios' Michael Yum called the shift "sad and devastating."