Sony Surveys Developers Amid Uncertainty Over PS Disc Production Halt
- Sony reportedly circulated a significant survey among developers regarding the decision to end disc-based game production.
- The company plans to reduce disc output by 10% starting in 2028, rather than ceasing production entirely.
- Industry backlash has been prominent, with notable figures like Hideo Kojima voicing concerns over the decision.
Concerns are rising about Sony’s commitment to phasing out PlayStation disc support following reports of a comprehensive survey sent to developers. The survey reportedly aimed to gather insights into the company’s decision to cease the production of disc-based games.
This revelation comes from the YouTube tech-reporting channel Moore’s Law is Dead, where host Tom stated, “There is a survey Sony sent out to developers – [that’s] what I was told by my contacts – that is a bigger survey than they’ve sent almost ever before, if not ever before. And there was a question in it basically trying to ask in a not direct way: is there any issue with how we sell games physically, or something – asking developers for feedback on killing discs.”
Currently, there is no additional evidence to confirm the existence of the survey, and inquiries to Sony regarding the report’s accuracy are pending. This development follows reports from Gamescom that industry sentiment towards Sony’s plans to end disc production has been largely negative. Social media backlash has led to Sony adopting stricter guidelines for staff, reflecting the discontent surrounding the announcement. Notably, long-time PlayStation collaborator Hideo Kojima has publicly expressed his concerns, although his professional relationship with Sony appeared strained at the time.
In July, Sony announced the gradual phase-out of PlayStation disc production starting in early 2028, attributed to declining physical sales and the increasing dominance of digital gaming, referred to as “consumer preferences.” This announcement sparked confusion regarding the timeline for disc production cessation, prompting clarifications that output would decrease by 10% in 2028 rather than dropping to 10% of total output. This raises the possibility of physical releases for titles scheduled for 2028, like The Witcher 4, despite CD Projekt Red’s previous statement expressing their lack of control over such decisions.
While it may be optimistic to expect Sony to abandon its decision entirely, there is potential for adjustments to the timeline of disc discontinuation based on developer feedback. This scenario raises questions about possible disparities in disc availability for different titles, as the discontinuation is not set to begin until 2028, allowing ample time for potential revisions to the plan.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
