Sony CFO Lin Tao says the company recognises the concerns expressed by fans and understands their emotional attachment to physical games. Nevertheless, Sony has no intention of reversing its decision to end physical PlayStation releases after 2028.

July became an especially turbulent month for PlayStation after Sony announced on July 2 that it would discontinue physical game releases. The Japanese company then remained silent on social media while hundreds of thousands of fans protested and demanded that the plan be abandoned. The following 29 days brought public statements, complaints, predictions about PlayStation’s future, and even calls for a PS5 “gamer strike” during August, yet Sony offered no official response. That silence has now ended, and the company has made it clear that it does not intend to retreat.

During the investor Q&A session held after Sony published its financial results, CFO Lin Tao explained that the company regards the digitisation of entertainment as an unstoppable trend and identified it as the main reason behind the decision. Some analysts nevertheless argue that abandoning physical releases is also a temporary response to the industry’s current crisis, which has been intensified by rising component prices and higher manufacturing expenses. Such a measure could eventually have damaging consequences for the size of PlayStation’s user base.

Sony nevertheless appears prepared to accept the possibility that some players may lose interest in the platform because of the change. The company remains committed to the direction announced 29 days earlier. “So, thinking about the future—and after much reflection, time, and careful consideration—we came to this conclusion. We will proceed with it, and we will do so cautiously,” Tao said regarding the planned end of physical game production in 2028.

Tao also acknowledged that Sony is listening to player feedback and recognises the emotional connection many people have with physical media. “We’ve received a range of opinions on this decision, and people have very strong viewpoints. We understand that the community has made these feelings known to us. Video games are a form of entertainment enjoyed by many people, and in many cases, the physical format is linked to cherished memories,” she said. “We understand these emotions. We want to take them into account. And, looking ahead to the future of the digital ecosystem, how we can engage players is something we’d like to continue exploring,” the executive concluded.

Sony responds to the backlash over ending PlayStation discs.

"We put in a lot of thought and time, and we cautiously considered this, and we came to this conclusion, and we're going to cautiously move this forward…" pic.twitter.com/qRKkEX6TN3

— AmericanTruckSongs9 (@ethangach) July 31, 2026

Sony Believes a Digital Console Can Still Compete Directly With PC

The company was also asked whether it had properly considered the long-term consequences of the decision. Questions focused on Sony’s future relationship with retail distribution networks and on how PlayStation would distinguish itself from PC if both platforms ultimately depended entirely on digital formats. PS5 and future PS6 owners could face a clear disadvantage because they would rely on a single storefront for their purchases. Tao responded that Sony would continue working with retailers in individual regions and noted that publishers could still sell retail boxes containing download codes, an approach that is becoming increasingly common in several markets, including with GTA 6.

“We don’t believe that the physical format is what differentiates PlayStation from the competition, including PC and other consoles. There’s a particular way of playing on PC. The curated content is one of our strengths, and the stability of the ecosystem is another. Also, compared to a high-end PC, our product is more affordable. Therefore, we don’t consider the disc itself to be a determining factor of differentiation. Looking ahead, we can coexist peacefully with PC games,” Tao explained.

Sony’s position can therefore be regarded as settled unless an extraordinary development forces the company to reconsider. The corporation continues to insist that PlayStation’s future lies in a completely digital model, even though a substantial part of its community remains firmly opposed to that direction.

Source: 3DJuegos