Gamers Still Prefer Owning Physical Copies
Sony $SONY plans to end physical disc production for new PlayStation titles from Jan 2028, but a YouGov survey shows most US gamers are not ready to let go. 51% of console gamers prefer physical copies over digital (32%), mainly citing permanent ownership (81%). Source: Statista.
Sony $SONY has announced it will end physical disc production for new PlayStation titles starting in January 2028, part of the gaming industry's broader shift toward digital distribution. But a new YouGov survey of US console and PC gamers suggests many players are not ready to give up physical media. Among console gamers, 51% said they generally prefer discs or cartridges, compared with 32% who prefer digital purchases. Among PC gamers the picture is closer: 40% lean digital, while 32% still prefer physical copies. The single biggest reason gamers gave for sticking with physical copies was permanent ownership, cited by 81% of those who prefer them. The findings point to a gap between where the industry is heading and what a meaningful share of gamers say they actually want. Source: YouGov via Statista.