A respected industry analyst has speculated that Sony might phase out physical game releases by the time the PlayStation 7 arrives. Currently, Sony offers a digital-only version of the PlayStation 5 alongside its traditional disc-based counterpart. However, shifting market trends and industry insights suggest that Sony may lean further into digital-only gaming for its future consoles.
All-digital format
The decline of physical game releases has been aapparent in recent years. Major titles like Alan Wake 2 and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 launched without disc editions, reflecting the growing dominance of digital formats. The PC gaming industry has already embraced an all-digital approach, and consoles appear to be following suit. Microsoft’s Xbox, for instance, introduced the discless Xbox Series S in 2020 and plans to release an all-digital version of the Xbox Series X later this year. These moves have sparked questions about whether PlayStation will also move away from physical game formats.
Although PlayStation continues to release physical copies of its first-party games, the numbers tell a different story. Year-on-year sales of physical games have been steadily declining, while digital sales have surged. Industry expert Mat Piscatella, an executive director at Circana (formerly NPD Group), recently shared on Twitter that physical games may persist for one more PlayStation generation, hinting that the PlayStation 7 could go entirely digital, akin to the PS5 Digital Edition. He also forecasted that Nintendo might retain physical game releases for two more generations, while Xbox players should “get used” to an all-digital gaming landscape.
Piscatella’s analysis carries weight, as Circana monitors sales data for consoles, games, and accessories across the U.S. market. Xbox has already heavily leaned toward digital formats, and while physical games still contribute significantly to PlayStation’s sales, the balance has been shifting toward digital purchases.
Profitable Shift
The preference for digital games also aligns with publishers’ financial interests. Digital sales are far more profitable, as they eliminate the costs of manufacturing, packaging, shipping, and retailer cuts. Recognizing this trend, Sony has been encouraging digital purchases through promotions like Days of Play and its loyalty program, PlayStation Stars. This raises the possibility that consoles with disc drives may eventually disappear altogether.
Whether the PlayStation 7 will mark the end of physical media or serve as a transitional phase remains uncertain.
Expected release date of PlayStation 7
Based on Sony’s past console release timelines, the PlayStation 7 is likely to debut around 2030. Sony typically launches new consoles every seven years, and with the PlayStation 5 released in 2020, this estimate aligns with the expected cycle. By that time, the gaming industry may look drastically different, potentially dominated by cloud-based gaming, subscription services, and fully digital ecosystems.
The evolution toward digital-only consoles appears inevitable, but how quickly this transition will occur remains a topic of speculation. For now, gamers can still enjoy the flexibility of physical and digital options—at least for another generation.
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