PlayStation 7: Major Shift in Design Anticipated

A leading industry analyst predicts Sony may phase out physical PlayStation game releases by the PlayStation 7 launch. While the PlayStation 5 offers both digital and disc-based versions, market trends suggest a potential shift towards a fully digital future for subsequent consoles.

The decline of physical game releases is already evident. High-profile titles like Alan Wake 2 and Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 skipped disc editions at launch. The PC gaming market is entirely digital, and Xbox's moves – including the disc-less Xbox Series S and the upcoming all-digital Xbox Series X – point towards a similar trajectory. This raises questions about PlayStation's long-term commitment to physical media.

Though PlayStation continues to release physical copies of its first-party games, digital sales are significantly outpacing physical sales year after year. Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, a prominent figure in the industry, recently suggested on Twitter that PlayStation might maintain physical releases for only one more generation, hinting at a potential all-digital PlayStation 7. Piscatella also foresees Nintendo sticking with physical games for two more generations, while predicting an all-digital future for Xbox.

Analyst Forecasts a Single Generation Left for PlayStation Physical Games

Piscatella's insights carry weight, given his position as executive director at the NPD Group, a key market research firm tracking console, game, and accessory sales in the US. Xbox's internal strategy has long favored digital distribution, and while PlayStation still sees strong physical sales, the balance is steadily tilting towards digital.

Digital game sales are significantly more profitable for publishers due to reduced production, packaging, shipping, and retail costs. Therefore, even though Sony outwardly supports physical media, its promotional efforts – such as Days of Play and PlayStation Stars – actively encourage digital purchases. The eventual disappearance of disc drives in consoles seems increasingly likely. However, whether the PlayStation 7 marks the definitive shift to a fully digital ecosystem remains to be seen.