A report recently stated that Sony plans to include a detachable disc drive on its PlayStation 6 console, which may still be a few years from release. This was seen as a solid move from gamers who still desire physical copies of their games. According to the report, an unnamed source said the move was justified by the PlayStation 5 disc drive hitting internal targets.
Videos by ComicBook.com
However, a new financial report from Sony casts doubt on the future of physical game sales. In Sony’s 2025 Corporate Report, it was revealed that physical software sales have continued on a downward trajectory, now making up only 3% of game and network service revenue for the company. This is down from 6% in Sony’s 2020 Corporate Report and shows a worrying trend for gamers who are still dedicated to physical copies.
Digital Gaming Appears Poised to Take Over in the Next Console Generation
The Insider Gaming report was met with praise among PlayStation fans, since a detachable drive is easier to replace and allows both physical and digital gamers equal access to future titles. It’s no secret that physical game sales have been an industry concern in recent years as digital downloads, subscriptions, and cloud gaming have become more ubiquitous. People have looked at PlayStation as one of the last bastions of physical games after the Switch 2 implemented key cards that don’t fully contain game data, and Xbox opted to abandon physical media in favor of its “gaming anywhere” approach.
However, Sony’s 2024 sales figures call into question the company’s plans to maintain access to physical games. Physical sales appear to be consistently shrinking, while hardware is consuming a larger part of the pie. In an era of Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, customers have expressed an increased unwillingness to pay for individual titles, preferring to pay for access to games rather than the games themselves.
While physical sales are still substantial enough to continue to support, will Sony be forced to change its mind in future years? Last month, in a Q&A with investors (via VGChartz), Sony Senior Vice President Sadahiko Hayakawa expressed the company’s desire to shift away from a hardware focus and look more toward creative projects. “In the gaming business, we are moving away from a hardware-centric business model more to a platform business that expands the community and increases engagement,” said Hayakawa.
Even if Sony wants to maintain access to physical games, it will have to play by rules other than its own if it wants to continue to grow its gaming projects across different platforms. Personally, I feel like the widespread acceptance of game access licenses, combined with the cost-effectiveness and conveniences of subscription services, has put physical games on their last legs. Music has undergone a similar transition from CDs to MP3s to Spotify-like subscription services in recent years, with the majority of audiences no longer expecting or needing to purchase physical media.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Most Viewed
-
Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics
