Niikawa Defends Physical Games Ahead of Sony's 2028 Disc Phase-Out

Q: With game discs disappearing in 2028, are players losing permanent ownership of the games they paid for?

Yes. As discs disappear, players are generally losing the traditional form of permanent ownership and moving to a system of licensed access. A disc gave buyers a tangible copy they could keep, lend, resell, or often still play years later without relying on a storefront. Under Sony’s 2028 plan, even a boxed PlayStation game will contain only a download code. That means access depends on a PlayStation account, Sony’s store infrastructure, and the platform’s licensing terms. In legal and practical terms, digital games are usually licensed, not sold outright. That matters because licenses can carry restrictions: they are typically non-transferable, cannot be resold, and may be revoked or become unusable if a game is delisted, an account is suspended, or required online services shut down. This is why critics, including Sohei Niikawa, argue the shift is not just about format but about control and preservation. That does not mean every digital purchase will suddenly vanish in 2028. Most buyers will likely keep access for years, and Sony has strong business reasons to maintain libraries. But the key difference is that long-term access is no longer guaranteed by possession of a disc. It is guaranteed only as long as the platform, servers, and license terms continue to support it. So the short answer is that players are not necessarily losing immediate access, but they are losing the stronger, more durable ownership rights that physical media once provided.

2 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jul 22

Sohei Niikawa said Sony’s 2028 move away from PlayStation discs would strip games of their value as keepsakes, arguing fans want something tangible to collect, display and have signed.
At Anime Expo 2026, the Disgaea creator said physical editions carry emotional weight that download-only releases cannot replicate, even if he understands Sony’s business logic.
Sony has indicated boxed games can remain on shelves after 2028, but with download codes instead of discs; Grand Theft Auto VI is set to use that format in November.
Niikawa said that if discs disappear entirely, Sony could eventually question the need for dedicated console hardware at all, reducing the setup to a television and digital delivery.
The debate lands as Niikawa prepares to release Demons’ Night Fever later this year with a physical edition, underscoring how some developers still see boxed games as part of fandom.