All articles tagged with #physical media
Director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed he advocated for a physical release of Final Fantasy VII Revelation, but the final product uses key discs rather than full game data. The game launches simultaneously on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2 on April 8, 2027, with separate teams handling gameplay and optimization to ensure consistent quality across platforms.
Director Naoki Hamaguchi stated he advocated for a physical disc release of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation but lacked authority over final product decisions. The game will launch on April 8, 2027, with a 'key disc' requiring a large download, a compromise Hamaguchi called 'tricky' amid Sony's 2028 end of disc production.
BGR argues that purchasing 4K Blu-rays is a superior alternative to adding another streaming subscription due to higher bitrates, permanent ownership, ad-free viewing, fixed costs, and independence from internet connectivity.
Microsoft has officially rolled out the Xbox disc-to-digital feature to all console owners, allowing users to claim digital copies of supported Xbox One and Series X|S physical games. The feature, which began testing with Insiders in late August 2026, requires users to insert a disc to claim a digital license that can be played on consoles, PCs, and handhelds. While the move adds value to physical media, it includes strict terms: licenses are revocable if the disc is sold or loaned, and not all titles or publishers, such as Square Enix and Bandai Namco, are currently supported.
Microsoft has officially launched its disc-to-digital program for all Xbox users, ending the Insider testing phase. Inserting eligible Xbox One or Series X discs now grants a digital license, enabling Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming access. However, licenses are tied to physical possession; selling or losing a disc revokes digital access. Not all titles are eligible, and Xbox 360/original Xbox games are excluded.
Microsoft has officially rolled out its disc-to-digital program to all Xbox users, ending a month of Insider testing. The feature allows players to convert physical Xbox One and Series X discs into digital licenses, though eligibility varies by publisher and title. While the move eases the transition to digital-only consoles, critics warn that licenses are revocable and tied to physical media, potentially limiting resale value.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is in direct talks with Nippon Ichi Software regarding its plan to end physical disc production for PlayStation by 2028. While the official policy remains unchanged, executives suggest potential compromises like code-in-a-box models or exceptions for collector's editions following industry feedback.
Sony announced the end of physical disc production for new PlayStation games in January 2028, sparking widespread backlash. Nippon Ichi Software CEO Kenzo Saruhashi indicated ongoing discussions with Sony may alter this plan, while leakers suggest Sony is surveying developers to gauge the impact of the shift to digital-only releases.
Nippon Ichi Software CEO Kenzo Saruhashi confirmed ongoing discussions with Sony regarding the discontinuation of physical game discs in January 2028. While Sony maintains its plan to end disc production for new titles, Saruhashi suggests the company is listening to customer feedback and may explore alternatives like 'code in the box' or limited physical exceptions. The move follows a broader industry backlash, with other publishers like PM Studios adapting to digital-only models while mourning the loss of physical ownership.
Sony is reportedly surveying developers about its plan to end PlayStation disc production in 2028, potentially signaling a willingness to adjust its strategy amid significant industry and consumer backlash. While the company initially cited digital dominance as the reason for the shift, recent feedback from publishers and data on physical sales suggest a possible compromise, such as a phased reduction or continued support for limited editions, rather than a complete reversal.
Sony is reportedly surveying game developers about its plan to end physical disc production for PlayStation consoles in January 2028, potentially signaling a willingness to reverse course amid sustained consumer backlash. Leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead claims the survey, described as unusually large, indirectly asks developers about issues with physical sales. While Sony faces financial incentives to go digital-only, strong physical sales for titles like Marvel's Wolverine and ongoing fan protests suggest the company may be testing the waters for a compromise.
Sony is reportedly surveying game developers about its plan to end physical disc production for PlayStation consoles in January 2028. Leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead claims the survey asks for feedback on the digital-only strategy, suggesting Sony may be reconsidering its stance amid consumer backlash. While Sony had already retooled factories away from disc manufacturing, the move indicates a potential softening of its position. The controversy stems from fan petitions and boycotts, though some industry figures previously supported the shift to digital. Physical sales remain significant for some titles, complicating the transition.
RIAA reports first-half 2026 CD sales surged to 17.5 million (up 45.7% from 2025) with $171.1 million in revenue; Luminate also notes 16.3 million CD units sold in H1 2026, driven in part by special editions from K-Pop acts and Gen Z/millennials collecting CDs, with about half of buyers owning a CD player. Vinyl sales rose ~21% to 26.5 million, and other physical formats jumped 73% to 1.6 million, while streaming revenue grew 4.7% to $4.9 billion, underscoring that streaming remains dominant even as physical media rebounds.
Sony says reports of a 90% drop in PlayStation disc production were a misinterpretation: the expected decline is 10% in 2028, not a collapse to 10% of volume. Meanwhile, physical disc production for new games will end from January 2028, but existing titles and reorders continue, with manufacturing remaining in-house via Sony DADC. The clarification followed comments attributed to DADC chief Dietmar Tanzer. Analysts weigh potential impacts on the resale market and licensing, while Sony and industry figures discuss the broader shift from ownership to digital-access models.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma dodged a direct answer on whether the upcoming Project Helix will be disc-less, instead stressing the importance of both physical and digital libraries and announcing a digital entitlement for around 1,000 titles. Helix is described as a console-PC hybrid with development kits due next year, alongside a disc-to-digital initiative. Behind the scenes, Xbox has undergone restructuring that has cut about 1,600 jobs, with a further 1,600 positions expected to go by next summer.