Sony has reportedly sent game developers a survey asking for feedback on its decision to stop producing PlayStation game discs after 2027, according to an insider. However, the move is not expected to reverse the company’s plans.
Survey details emerge from leaker
YouTuber Moore’s Law Is Dead, known for leaking hardware specs, claimed in his latest video that Sony distributed a survey to developers regarding the phase-out of physical discs. He said: ‘There is a survey Sony sent out to developers – [that’s] what I was told by my contacts – that is a bigger survey than they’ve sent almost ever before, if not ever before.’
He added: ‘And there was a question in it basically trying to ask in a not direct way: is there an issue with how we sell games physically, or something – asking developers for feedback on killing discs.’
Backlash and developer criticism
Sony’s announcement that it will no longer produce PlayStation game discs after 2027 has drawn anger from players, including online protests and petitions. In July, Sony said it was ‘cautiously’ moving forward with the change. The company’s primary disc factory has reportedly already shifted its priorities to new technology.
While no other evidence supports the survey’s existence, several developers have publicly criticised the decision. Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima called it a ‘frightening’ prospect, and Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, described it as a ‘sad decision’.
Potential middle ground and PlayStation 6
Game developers and publishers stand to benefit from the move, as digital purchases are more profitable than physical ones. Even if developers oppose the change, it is unclear how Sony could reconcile the matter. External developers might print discs themselves if they wish, but that would likely be costly for publishers, and there is no sign of it happening yet.
Sony could be seeking a middle ground to make a bigger impact with the anticipated PlayStation 6 announcement, expected to launch in 2027. This could involve a planned cashback scheme currently in testing but not yet officially announced by Sony.
