by 
Sony’s decision to cease manufacturing physical game discs in January 2028 may have brought the wrath of gaming enthusiasts at large, but major publishers seem largely non-plussed by the decision.
Both Capcom and SEGA have indicated they don’t expect to be affected by the move, seeing as their business predominantly relies on digital downloads these days. And prior to Sony’s announcement, GTA 6 had already confirmed that it’d only be available as a code in a box.
It’s not surprising to see Take-Two bigwig Strauss Zelnick speak out in support of PlayStation’s decision, then, saying discs “don’t really make sense for the consumer” and that downloads are “much more convenient”.
Speaking as part of a Q&A with investors, the bullish executive said his company’s business is already over “90% digital” – a similar statistic to Capcom.
In fact, when you include microtransactions and DLC into the firm’s financials, its revenue is actually 98% digital – although that’s not really a fair comparison, considering there are no other ways to purchase Shark Cards or VC in NBA 2K.
Nevertheless, Zelnick’s comments are sure to rub an increasing irate consumer base the wrong way.
He said, as reported by IGN:
“Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed. It's already a digital business. So in certain instances, especially if it's a big game, discs just – and note I said discs – don't really make sense for the consumer.
Also, most instances you have to register online to play anyhow. So if you're already connected, who cares if you download digitally? It's all the same and it's much more convenient.
So that's where the world is going in our opinion and I think Sony understands that. We certainly understand that. It doesn't mean that we won't have physical additions now and then, I'm sure we will in the same way that there’s still vinyl in the recorded music business. But in other instances, it just won't make sense.”
Sony certainly has an ally in its corner with Take-Two, then – and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if other publishers are privately telling the platform holder similar things.
Remember, companies earn more money through digital downloads, which is one of the reasons why this is happening.
I do think it’s interesting how Zelnick specifically mentioned discs. Obviously GTA 6 will still have a physical presence, although boxes will simply include a download code which can’t be traded or resold once redeemed.
PlayStation has said it will continue to support retailers beyond January 2028, although it sounds like it’ll also be selling download codes in plastic cases. From my perspective, I think this represents enormous environmental waste.
Zelnick, of course, will ignore the backlash he’s inevitably about to receive: GTA 6, as a digital-only game, is poised to become the fastest-selling title in history. He says pre-orders have been “exceptional” so far.
Players are planning a “blackout” of PlayStation consoles later this month, but you could argue those protesting Sony’s decision would be better off boycotting games like GTA 6.
At the end of the day, the anticipated open world’s going to prove that whenever there’s consumer interest, fans are going to cough up – digital-only or not.