Atari, Iam8bit, Lost in Cult, and Silver Linings Interactive are among the firms lamenting the loss of physical games.
Earlier this week, Sony announced its decision to discontinue the production of physical discs for new PlayStation games starting from January 2028. This move means that games will only be available in digital format, while titles released on disc before this date will remain unaffected. Sony has already started repurposing its last physical disc factory, with workers being trained to produce optical microlenses for power-consumption applications. Additionally, the company plans to shut down the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita by July 2027, preventing new content purchases once these stores close.
The shift towards an all-digital model by Sony has sparked concerns among developers and publishers who view physical media as crucial to the gaming ecosystem and its consumers. Several game companies, including Atari, Iam8bit, Lost in Cult, Silver Lining Interactive, Limited Run Games, and Strictly Limited, have expressed their disappointment at Sony's decision. These companies stress the importance of physical games for preservation, ownership, and consumer choice, emphasizing their commitment to providing physical editions whenever possible.
Despite the industry landscape evolving, these companies remain dedicated to meeting collector demand and offering players the option of physical media alongside digital formats. They aim to continue delivering games in various physical formats, ensuring that players can choose between discs, cartridges, key cards, or code-in-box releases.
