CD Projekt Red won’t be abandoning physical releases
CD Projekt Red has reaffirmed its commitment to physical game releases despite industry trends toward digital-only distribution. The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2077 developer stated it has no intention of abandoning physical media, though it acknowledged the need to innovate to make physical releases worthwhile for consumers.
During Gamescom 2026, CDPR joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski emphasized the studio’s “affinity” with physical products, promising to “put out a box that’s going to make it worth your while.” This commitment comes as a response to PlayStation maker Sony’s decision to discontinue physical media support by 2028, a move driven by the dominance of digital purchases in the market.
The statement reflects broader industry tensions around the future of physical game releases. While digital distribution has become the primary sales channel on modern platforms, some developers and consumers continue to value physical media for collection purposes, offline play, and ownership concerns. CD Projekt Red’s position suggests the studio believes there remains a viable market for physical releases if they offer additional value beyond the digital product.