Ubisoft CEO: PlayStation Discontinuing Discs “Will Not Disturb” the Industry Too Much
At the start of July, Sony rocked the gaming world by announcing that the PlayStation division would no longer be releasing physical discs of new games by January 2028.
This is something that not only caught people off guard, but also rubbed them the wrong way. Here we are, weeks later, and the gaming world has still not accepted it, with even game developers weighing in on the topic.
Today, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has weighed in on the topic as well, and his answer might not be what some gamers want to hear.
Ubisoft Head Seems to Be OK With Physical Disc Games Ending
Speaking during the Q&A portion of Ubisoft’s financial earnings call, Doug Crutz from TD Cowen asked for Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot’s perspective if he has any concerns that could create a “demand headwind” either directly or indirectly, because it prevents gamers from recycling games to the used games market, and then using that to purchase new titles.
Guillemot answered, “What we saw on the PC is that it helped to grow the market. There’s also some pressure for the future on the cost of machines, and being able to be only digital will help to have a more accessible machine, I would say. As you said, there are pluses and minuses. But we think it will not disturb, too much, the industry.”
Guillemot’s statement directly contradicts what one analyst said: that Sony ending physical discs could wipe out the $7 billion used games market. Of course, given Guillemot’s company would greatly benefit from a digital-only gaming future might have something to do with his statement as well.
For now, we can’t say which opinion is correct, but we’ll just have to wait and see whether this will really not affect the industry all that much come 2028. If you’re a fan of physical discs or want gaming to go the digital-only route, leave a comment below and let us know.
In related news, we think Sony’s decision is based on the company’s thinking (assuming?) that gamers are too invested in the PlayStation ecosystem to leave even if they ditch physical discs.
Stay connected to MP1st and the latest news by following us on Bluesky, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Google News.
