Sony made waves after announcing that it would no longer be making physical copies of its games after 2028, which is one of several reasons gamers are turning their backs on them. PS5 Instead, it accepts Switch 2. When it comes to consoles, Sony has been popular with millions of gamers, but it looks like the tide is turning a little bit. As the company struggles to fully deliver on the once-promising PS5 era, gamers are looking for other options.
For physical media enthusiasts, the future looks bleak. While services like Spotify have put a dent in CD and record sales, other platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have made buying DVDs seem like a passé activity. Now Sony has taken the next big step forward in video games. Sony's announcement that it would stop making physical games after 2028 sparked controversy. This is especially true for new games, but it still hurts deeply, and some gamers saw it as the last straw for Sony's products.
It's not the demise of physical gaming that has inspired longtime gamers to set aside their console loyalty. The PS5 has been out for almost six years now, and many loyal users have considered this generation a bust. It feels bleak for what was expected to be the console's future, with some citing the lack of AAA exclusives and multiple price increases as other big reasons for deciding to leave the PS5.
Select the cover art to complete the equation.
start
Select the cover art to complete the equation.
Easy (15 seconds) Medium (10 seconds) Hard (5 seconds)
Of course, the Switch 2 price has also increased. But it's still generally cheaper than the PS5 (plus it's more portable). It's really surprising that the PS5 Pro, which originally launched at $700, costs $900. Various factors have been claimed to be responsible for this price hike, including RAM shortages and supply issues, but it has proven to be too much for many who were once Sony die-hards. Paying so much for a console that didn't release many of the AAA exclusives many people were hoping for made them look another way.
The slow death of physical media isn't just Sony's problem, but the company seems determined to lead the charge.
And while Sony's decision to stop making physical games for the next few years is puzzling, it's certainly not shocking. Even Nintendo has had some controversy over the Switch 2's game key cards. Instead of a physical disc, the game key card simply acts as a license key. This is another confusing move away from physical media, but this route at least allows gamers to own a collectible box. Of course, it's not as satisfying as a physical disc, but it's better than having no box at all.
One of the biggest games that will make you give up your disc is GTA 6. That fact is no secret. GTA 6 The release date would have been a huge moment for the industry, but the lack of discs for pre-order left fans disappointed and confused. The Standard Edition costs $80 GTA 6 The Ultimate Edition costs $100, so many gamers who grew up with discs are upset about paying so much without actually owning anything in the end.
Both Standard Edition and Ultimate Edition GTA 6 Both are disc-free, and the latter offers exclusive content that keeps features like an in-game store, cosmetics, and even some side missions behind a paywall.
The Switch 2's library continues to grow, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to say no to.
Even though the PS5's exclusive lineup has been slow to roll out, it's important to remember that this generation isn't completely empty. There's been a handful of strong Sony exclusives since the console launched, but with the Switch 2's library expanding its reach beyond Nintendo's, it's understandable why many gamers might want to choose the Switch 2 over the PS5.
The biggest PS5 exclusives since the console launched
- Astro's Playroom
- devil's soul make again
- Ratchet and Clank: Lift Apart
- returns
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Astrobot
- death stranding 2
- Ghost of Yotei
- saros
There are more games coming in the future, which is at least good news for those looking to stick to the Sony ecosystem. Marvel's Wolverine's release date is scheduled for a busy September 2026 gaming calendar, with upcoming projects including: Laufey, God of War And Naughty Dog's Intergalactic: Heretic Prophet A strong lineup is expected to be added. But it might not be enough to bring back gamers who picked up the Switch 2.
Switch 2 isn't the only change gamers have made. Instead of Switch 2, others are venturing into the world of PC gaming. Stores like Steam carry digital-only games, but their libraries are much larger than what PS5 exclusive games currently offer.
Switch 2 lets you play games like: cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil RequiemThere are expectations that future power hitters will like it. GTA 6 and The Witcher 4 You will be able to run on it. The hardware of the Nintendo console is on par with the Xbox Series S, so GTA 6 A Switch 2 version is definitely not impossible. Major third-party games may not be the answer to the exclusive concerns of older PS5 users, but they are a solid library that will only continue to grow.
-
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games -
Image via CD Projekt Red -
There are already a lot of PS6 leaks and rumors going around, with some even claiming that the next-gen console will be more expensive than the Steam Machine. For those who haven't noticed the eye-popping price point, the Steam Machine's base model costs $1,049. With the PS6 costing over $1,000 and no physical game releases, it's likely that a lot more gamers will skip buying the console altogether.
