Questions are swirling around PlayStation’s long-announced decision to phase out physical disc support, following a report that Sony has dispatched an unusually large survey to developers seeking feedback on the move. According to the claim, the questionnaire included a veiled probe into whether the industry has any concerns about how games are sold physically, effectively asking studios for input on the decision to stop producing disc-based titles. The disclosure comes as the gaming community continues to weigh in on a policy Sony first outlined in July, with the actual discontinuation of disc production not scheduled to begin until early 2028.
The story originates with the YouTube tech-reporting channel Moore’s Law is Dead and its host Tom, who has never publicly revealed his surname. “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 said. “And there was a question in it basically trying to ask in a not direct way: is there any issue with how we sell games physically, or something – asking developers for feedback on killing discs.” The images below illustrate the physical media at the heart of the debate.
It is worth noting that there is no independent evidence beyond this single source to confirm the survey’s existence, and Gamer24h has reached out to Sony for comment on the report’s veracity. The story arrives at a sensitive moment, following reports from Gamescom that industry reaction to Sony’s disc-ending plans has been decidedly unfavourable. Much of the backlash has played out openly on social media, where the topic has become a flashpoint for debate. Sony has reportedly implemented newer, stricter guidelines for its staff in response to the surrounding controversy.
The broader conversation has drawn high-profile voices, including long-time PlayStation partner Hideo Kojima, who spoke out publicly on the matter. YouTube tech-reporting channel Moore’s Law is Dead
Sony has reportedly implemented newer, stricter guidelines to staff
Long-time PlayStation partner Hideo Kojima even spoke out publicly
his relationship with Sony regarding new game Physint
A Policy Built on Digital Dominance
Context for the current stir dates back to July, when Sony announced it would begin winding down PlayStation disc production from early 2028. The company cited dwindling physical sales and the overwhelming dominance of digital distribution – characterised by Sony as “consumer preferences” – as the driving rationale. The announcement was met with a mix of backlash and confusion, particularly around the pace of the transition.
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