Sony has made some serious waves since announcing that the company won't be making physical game copies after 2028, and that's one of the handful of reasons gamers are turning their backs. PS5 And embracing Switch 2 instead. When it comes to consoles, Sony has been the go-to for millions of gamers, but the tides seem to be turning a bit. As the company struggles to fully deliver on the once-promising PS5 era, gamers are looking for other options.
The future looks bleak for physical media lovers. While services like Spotify have cut into sales of CDs and vinyl, other platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime make the thought of buying DVDs seem like an archaic act. Now, Sony has taken another big step with video games. Sony's announcement that it will stop physical games after 2028 has sparked controversy. This is especially true for newer games, but it still stings deeply, and some gamers consider it the last straw when it comes to Sony-made products.
It's not just the end of the physical games that have long prompted gamers to set aside console-specific loyalties. The PS5 has been around for six years at this point, and many loyal users have seen this generation as a bust. What was expected to be the console's future feels barren, with many deciding to leave the PS5 behind, citing the lack of AAA exclusives and price increases as other big reasons.
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Yes, there has been a Switch 2 price increase, too. However, it's still cheaper than the PS5 in general (plus, it's portable). The fact that the PS5 Pro now costs $900 after originally launching at $700 is mind-boggling. Various factors, such as RAM shortages and supply issues, have been claimed as the reason for these price hikes, but it has proved too much for many people who were once Sony die-hards. Paying so much for a console that doesn't hold the number of AAA exclusives many expect has pushed them to explore other avenues.
The slow death of physical media isn't Sony's only problem, but the company seems determined to lead the charge
Also, while Sony's decision to discontinue physical game production for the next few years is disappointing, it certainly isn't shocking. Nintendo has also faced controversy over the Switch 2's game-key cards. Instead of an actual disc, game-key cards simply act as a license key. It's another awkward step away from physical media, but this route still at least allows gamers to own collectible boxes. Of course, that's not as satisfying as a real disc, but it's better than any box.
One of the biggest games to ever hit disc GTA 6. It's no secret that the GTA 6 The release date is going to be a big moment for the industry, but the lack of discs for its pre-orders has disappointed and confused fans. The standard version costs $80 and the GTA 6 With the Ultimate Edition at $100, many gamers who grew up with discs are disappointed to pay so much for not actually owning anything at the end of the day.
Both standard and final versions though GTA 6 Both are disc-less, with the latter containing exclusive content that features in-game shops, cosmetics, and some side missions behind a paywall.
The Switch 2's library continues to grow, and it's getting harder to close
It's important to note that even though the PS5's exclusive lineup has been slow to get rolling, this generation isn't completely empty. There have been a handful of strong Sony exclusive games since the console's launch, but as the Switch 2's library expands its horizons beyond Nintendo's reach, it's understandable why many gamers would want to choose it over the PS5.
The biggest PS5 exclusive since the console's launch
- Astro's Playroom
- Demon spirits Remake
- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
- return
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Astro Bot
- Death Stranding 2
- Ghost of Yotei
- Saros
There are even more games on the way, which is at least good news for those planning to stay loyal to the Sony ecosystem. Marvel's WolverineThe release date of the busy September 2026 sports calendar, and upcoming projects such as Laufey God of War And the mischievous dog Intergalactic: Heretic Prophet Strong additions to the lineup are expected. It still might not be enough to win back gamers who opted for the Switch 2, though.
The Switch 2 isn't the only change that gamers are making. Instead of the Switch 2, others are venturing into the world of PC gaming. While storefronts like Steam run on digital-only games, the library is much larger than what the PS5 exclusive roster currently offers.
With being able to run games like the Switch 2 Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil requestsFuture heavy hitters have expectations to love GTA 6 and The Witcher 4 Will be able to run on it. The Nintendo console's hardware is on par with the Xbox Series S, so something like a GTA 6 A Switch 2 version is definitely not impossible. Major third-party games may not be the answer to the specific problems of pre-PS5 users, but it's still a solid library that's only growing.
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Image via: Rockstar Games -
Image via CD Projekt Red -
There are already plenty of PS6 leaks and rumors circulating, with some even claiming that the next-gen console will cost more than the Steam Machine. For those who haven't seen the eye-watering price point, the Steam Machine costs just $1,049 for the base model. If the price of the PS6 is over $1,000 and there are no physical game releases, there is a good chance that an even greater number of gamers will stop buying the console.
