The discussion surrounding the future of physical games has intensified following Sony's surprising announcement to cease production of physical PlayStation discs by January 2028. This bold move has sparked massive protests from gamers, collectors, independent retailers, and various industry associations that have relied on physical media sales as a crucial revenue source for decades.
Ubisoft's Contrasting Viewpoint
Amidst the storm of criticism and controversy, Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, has expressed a contrasting opinion. He is confident that the complete shift towards a digital ecosystem will not significantly shake up the video game industry's business structure but rather represent a natural progression.
Investment in Digital Transformation
During a Q&A session following Ubisoft's first-quarter financial report, Guillemot acknowledged that this major transition would have both positive and negative impacts on the console ecosystem. He emphasized that such changes are not new and have been successfully navigated by the personal computer industry in the past.
The PC Industry as a Precedent
As seen in the PC realm, which moved away from physical discs to embrace online distribution platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Microsoft Store, the market has continued to thrive. Guillemot noted, “What we see in the PC sector is that this transition has fostered market growth. There are also pressures on production costs for future devices, and relying solely on digital distribution can make hardware more affordable.”
Cost Efficiency and Consumer Accessibility
Moreover, Ubisoft pointed out that eliminating disc drives from future console hardware could significantly reduce manufacturing costs. This efficiency opens up opportunities for producers to market consoles at more consumer-friendly prices, potentially accelerating adoption worldwide.
Resistance from Loyal Fans
Despite being viewed as a logical evolution by major developers, this policy has faced fierce opposition from a loyal user base. Discontent is evident through the numerous complaints on PlayStation's official channels and an online petition against the discontinuation of physical games, which has garnered over 340,000 signatures from players worldwide.
Physical game enthusiasts are concerned about losing their absolute ownership rights over purchased products, the demise of the secondhand game market, and the long-term reliance on digital servers.
Sony's Industrial Shift
Nevertheless, the wave of protests does not seem to deter the Japanese tech giant. Reports indicate that Sony has begun a complete overhaul of its main production facility in Austria. The plant, which previously focused on manufacturing PlayStation optical discs, is now being repurposed to produce high-tech optical microlenses, following an investment of €30 million (approximately Rp528 billion, assuming an exchange rate of €1 to Rp17,600).
Embracing a Digital Future
Workers at the facility have also completed specialized training to support the new, more modern production line. For Ubisoft, this new chapter signifies an era of efficiency in line with global trends. Although traditional collectors and retailers must adapt to the harsh reality of the future without physical discs, the mainstream industry seems united in the belief that the future of game distribution lies entirely in the digital realm.
Source: https://www.esports.id/read/ubisoft-yakin-era-digital-playstation-tak-akan-guncang-industri-game-19115
