Will PlayStation games actually get cheaper once physical discs disappear? - Eurogamer
Sony's decision to move to digital-only media for PlayStation games by 2028 has sparked a debate about future pricing. Industry experts suggest that competition between publishers on digital storefronts may lead to more dynamic pricing and sales.
Why it matters
The shift away from physical media impacts consumer ownership rights and changes the economic model of the gaming industry.
Sony announced on 1st July that it will end all physical media on PlayStation , including for games not published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. All releases from January 2028 onwards will be digital-only, including code-in-the-box-style options at retail. It applies to all games releasing on PlayStation, including third-party titles, not just those produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Jacob Navok, former director of business development at Square Enix and now CEO of Genvid, laid out the argument on Twitter/X.
Competition between publishers is what drives pricing pressure, not competition between digital stores. This is because publishers set pricing on digital stores. Competition between stores like EGS and Steam improves the take rates for developers, not necessarily the price for... https://t.co/6ZZw8EUJ5v pic.twitter.com/0QLQmclwsG
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