Sony’s gradual phase-out of physical PS5 discs continues to cause discontent within the community. Now, a well-known insider is warning that this mistake must not be repeated with the PlayStation 6—otherwise, the new console risks a failed launch.
Growing Discontent in the Community
According to YouTuber Moore’s Law Is Dead, Sony underestimated the intensity of the backlash against the disc decision. Social media is flooded with criticism whenever PlayStation promotes new products, and many fans are canceling their PS Plus subscriptions, which are crucial to the company’s revenue projections. The insider believes that senior management is now closely monitoring this development, as it could lead to declining sales. A potential launch of the PS6 as early as 2027 is seen as crucial for Sony’s continued market dominance—the YouTuber considers a purely digital concept risky if the brand has already alienated its loyal customer base.
A Compromise on Collector’s Editions?
As a possible solution, the insider suggests continuing to produce small runs of physical discs for PS5 and PS6 games and marketing them more heavily as Collector’s Editions—similar to the success of limited-edition vinyl pressings in the music industry. Since collectors are willing to pay a premium for such editions anyway, this could cover production and shipping costs. While the insider considers an optical drive built directly into the console unlikely, a separately available USB accessory for reading discs seems financially feasible for Sony. A backward-compatible PS6 could continue to support both older and newer physical games in this way.
Not all analysts see a need for action
Other voices in the industry are more skeptical about whether Sony is even willing to back down. Industry consultant Dr. Serkan Toto told IGN that the company likely factored in the backlash from the very beginning. The uproar is likely to die down over time, and Sony is apparently willing to lose a portion of its customer base in order to push through the more lucrative transition to a purely digital future. The issue thus remains closely tied to the broader discussion about the retreat from the disc business—a trend that has recently fueled increased interest in PS5 jailbreaks and leads analysts to view Nintendo as the last console manufacturer to still offer physical games. Even the current PS5 Pro does away with a built-in drive and relies instead on an optional external model.
