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Sony's recent decision to end production of new games on discs from 2028 has reverberated widely among gamers. It now appears that the changes reach far beyond the PlayStation Store's catalogue. The manufacturer has begun restructuring its supply chain, preparing for a world without physical media. It's a sign that a reversal of digital distribution is unlikely. The consequences of this decision will be felt by far more companies than just Sony.
Disc factories are being repurposed
Sony DADC, the company responsible for producing optical discs, has begun preparations for a new phase of activity. The main plant in Thalgau, Austria, which currently produces around 600,000 discs per day, will be transformed. The company has invested about €30 million to start producing microlenses used, among other things, in modern electronics. According to the CEO of Sony DADC, roughly half of the plant’s current output is related to PlayStation. Once the release of new disc-based games ends, a significant portion of that volume will disappear. That is why Sony decided to prepare the factory for new tasks before 2028. Similar changes have already begun in Japan. The local plant reduced its workforce and stopped producing recordable optical media. Everything suggests the decision to abandon discs was made well in advance and covers the entire supply chain. This means a return to physical game releases is becoming increasingly unlikely. Sony is steadily preparing its infrastructure for the era of digital distribution.
Retailers and the Blu-ray market will also feel the consequences
The shift to digital sales will affect not only console manufacturers. The changes could also hit stores that sell boxed games hard, such as GameStop and other retail chains. Lower demand for physical releases means reduced sales and a diminished role for traditional retail outlets. For now, films on Blu-ray discs are not under threat, as their production will continue. However, the market for physical media has been steadily shrinking for several years. LG, Samsung and Oppo, among others, have already withdrawn from Blu-ray player production. There are also growing questions about the future of UHD Blu-ray players produced by Sony itself. If the trend towards digital distribution persists, further market segments could gradually disappear. For many collectors this means the end of an era. The games industry is increasingly moving towards a world without physical media.
Sony's decision to stop releasing games on discs is having consequences far wider than initially expected. The company is refitting its factories, and shops as well as the entire physical media market will feel the changes. All signs suggest that digital distribution will become the dominant way to buy games in the coming years.
source: flatpanelshd
