Sony has made some serious waves after announcing that the company will no longer make physical game copies after 2028, and it's one of the handful of reasons gamers have turned their backs PS5 and embrace the Switch 2 instead. When it comes to consoles, Sony has been a favorite for millions of gamers, but the tide seems to be turning a bit. As the company struggles to fully deliver on the once-promising PS5 era, gamers are looking for other options.
The future looks bleak for physical media lovers. While services like Spotify have put a dent in CD and vinyl sales, other platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime have made the idea of buying a DVD seem like an archaic act. Now Sony has taken the next big step with video games. The announcement that Sony will stop making physical games after 2028 has sparked controversy. This is specific to new games, but it still stings deeply, and some gamers have considered it the last straw when it comes to Sony-made products.
PlayStation's main disc-producing site is already being repurposed
While disc-based PlayStation games will still be released until 2028, Sony is already starting to cut back on its production of physical copies.
It's not just the end of physical games that has inspired longtime gamers to put aside console-specific loyalties. The PS5 has now been around for almost six years at this point, and many loyal users have seen this generation as a bust. What was expected to be the future of the console feels barren, with many citing the lack of AAA exclusives and multiple price hikes as other big reasons why they've decided to leave the PS5 behind.
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Sure, there have also been price hikes on the Switch 2. However, it's still cheaper than the PS5 in general (plus it's portable). The fact that the PS5 Pro is now $900 after originally launching for $700 is astounding. A variety of factors, such as the lack of RAM and supply issues, have been claimed as the reasons behind these price hikes, but it has proven to be too much for many people who were once Sony die-hards. Paying that much for a console that hasn't released the number of AAA exclusives many expected has led them to explore other avenues.
The slow death of physical media isn't just a Sony problem, but the company seems determined to lead the charge
While Sony's decision to stop physical game production for the next few years is upsetting, it's definitely not shocking. Even Nintendo has faced controversy over the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards. Instead of an actual disc, the Game-Key cards simply act as a license key. It's another outrageous step away from physical media, but this path still at least allows players to own collectible boxes. Of course, it's not as satisfying as a real disc, but it's better than no box at all.
One of the biggest games to forgo a disc is GTA 6. It's no secret that GTA 6 release date will be a huge moment for the industry, but the lack of a disc for its pre-orders leaves fans frustrated and confused. With the Standard Edition costs $80 and GTA 6 The Ultimate Edition is $100, many players who grew up with discs are upset about paying that much when they don't really own anything at the end of the day.
Although both the Standard and Ultimate Edition of the GTA 6 are both discless, the latter having exclusive content that keeps features like in-game shops, cosmetics, and even some side quests behind a paywall.
The Switch 2's library continues to grow, and it's getting harder to say no
It's important to note that while the PS5's exclusive lineup has been slow to roll, this generation hasn't been completely empty. There have been a handful of strong Sony-exclusive games since the console's launch, but with the Switch 2's library expanding its horizons beyond Nintendo's reach, it's understandable why so many gamers would want to choose it over the PS5.
The biggest PS5 exclusive since the console's launch
- Astro's playroom
- Demon's Souls remake
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Return
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Astro Bot
- Death Stranding 2
- Ghost of Yotei
- Saros
There are even more games on the way, which is at least good news for those who plan to stay loyal to Sony's ecosystem. Marvel's Wolverinethe release date is slated for the busy gaming calendar of September 2026, and upcoming projects such as God of War Laufey and Naughty Dog's Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet expected to be strong additions to the lineup. It still might not be enough to win back the players who have opted for the Switch 2.
Switch 2 isn't the only change gamers have made. Instead of the Switch 2, others have ventured into the world of PC gaming. Although storefronts like Steam run on digital-only games, the library is significantly larger than what the PS5 exclusive list has to offer at the moment.
With Switch 2 being able to run games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Requiemthere are expectations that future heavy hitters like GTA 6 and The Witcher 4 will be able to run on it. The Nintendo console's hardware is on par with the Xbox Series S, so something like one GTA 6 Switch 2 version is definitely not impossible. Big third-party games may not be the answer to ex-PS5 users' exclusive problems, but it's still a solid library that will only continue to grow.
There are already plenty of PS6 leaks and rumors circulating, with some even claiming that the next-gen console will cost more than the Steam Machine. For those who haven't seen the eye-popping price, the Steam Machine costs $1,049 for just the base model. If the price of the PS6 is over $1,000 and has no physical game releases, there's a good chance that an even larger number of gamers will skip buying the console altogether.
