Many developers at Gamescom 2026 have reportedly expressed their resentment towards Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision to end PlayStation physical games media.
During the latest episode of DF Direct, Digital Foundry’s John Linneman talked about his conversations with developers and publishers at Gamescom 2026 regarding Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision from PlayStation to end physical games media. This was the first major industry event he had attended since the discontinuation of physical games was announced by the company, giving him an opportunity to speak directly with the people who’ve been affected by it i.e. smaller developers and non-AAA publishers.
Linneman said that many of the developers and publishers he spoke with were “largely very upset,” mainly because they continue to see strong returns from physical game sales. In several cases, physical releases account for the majority of their revenue. Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision may have far greater consequences for smaller developers and non-AAA publishers than for the biggest players in the industry. As Linneman pointed out, major AAA studios are be better positioned to absorb the change, but smaller companies can depend heavily on the additional revenue, visibility and support generated by physical editions.
The discussion raised the possibility that publishers could increasingly look toward Nintendo Switch 2 as a platform for physical releases. Linneman said he got the impression that a lot of these game companies wanted to “put their weight behind” the console and help keep physical games alive.
While developers are unlikely to abandon the PlayStation platform, co-host Rich Leadbetter suggested that removing physical ownership could encourage consumers and publishers to consider alternatives. The discussion highlighted that console players value the ability to own, swap and sell their games, while PC offers a comparatively open ecosystem.
Following Digital Foundry’s discussion, The Washington Post journalist Gene Park took to Twitter/X to endorse the report, saying, “Glad more people are confirming. these are not just ‘rumors’.”
