Killing PlayStation discs could make PS Store games cheaper, according to a former Square Enix exec
Sony has announced it will discontinue all physical media for PlayStation, ending an era of disc-based gaming on the platform. Starting January 2028, all new game releases will be digital-only, including titles from third-party publishers and even code-in-the-box retail options. This sweeping policy shift marks a significant transition toward an entirely digital future for PlayStation gaming.
The decision, announced on July 1st, represents a major industry moment as physical media becomes obsolete on one of gaming’s largest platforms. The move has generated discussion among industry figures about its broader implications, particularly regarding game pricing.
Jacob Navok, a former director of business development at Square Enix who now serves as CEO of Genvid, has argued that eliminating physical media distribution could actually lead to lower prices on the PlayStation Store. His reasoning suggests that removing the manufacturing, distribution, and retail costs associated with physical products could enable Sony to reduce digital pricing—potentially benefiting consumers despite the shift to a digital-only model.
This argument stands in contrast to historical trends where digital game prices have typically remained at parity with or exceeded physical retail prices. Whether publishers will pass on cost savings from eliminated physical production and distribution remains to be seen, as does consumer reception to mandatory digital-only purchases.
The policy applies universally across PlayStation releases, affecting not just Sony Interactive Entertainment’s own titles but all third-party publishers releasing on the platform. This represents one of the gaming industry’s most significant moves toward digital distribution in recent memory.