PS Physical Discs Might Survive After All, Says Nippon Ichi CEO

Nippon Ichi Software is in active talks with Sony over its plan to end physical PS game discs by 2028, and the policy could reportedly be adjusted.

Well, this is a plot twist nobody saw coming. Sony's plan to kill off physical PlayStation discs by 2028 might not be as set in stone as we thought — and one veteran Japanese studio is right in the middle of the pushback.

According to an interview with Kotaku, Nippon Ichi Software and NIS America president Kenzo Saruhashi revealed that the company is currently in active negotiations with Sony over the disc phase-out. The industry has been watching this policy closely, and it sounds like there may now be room for adjustment.

If you know Nippon Ichi, you know they've built a big chunk of their identity around physical releases. Beyond standard retail versions, their signature deluxe limited editions — packed with physical discs, exclusive merch, and all the collector goodies fans love — are a core part of their business. Sony's plan to scrap discs entirely would hit that model hard.

Speaking at PAX West, Saruhashi said the company currently has the same official information as everyone else. But he made it clear that Nippon Ichi intends to keep putting out high-quality physical limited editions to serve core collectors. As for what form those releases might take if discs do go away, he noted that a "code-in-a-box" digital alternative is only one possibility — not a done deal.

Here's the encouraging part: Saruhashi said that during the discussions, he could clearly feel Sony actively taking in feedback from both players and publishers. The situation isn't set in stone, and future policy could still be adjusted or adapted.

That lines up with what we've been hearing elsewhere. Sony has reportedly been sending out special surveys to game developers to gather opinions on the physical business, which suggests the company is genuinely paying attention to the backlash and the concerns coming from the industry.

So no, your shelf of boxed games isn't doomed just yet. Nothing is confirmed, and talks are clearly ongoing — but for collectors and physical-media fans, this is the first real sign of hope in a while.

What do you think — should Sony keep physical discs alive, or is it time to fully embrace digital? Let us know in the comments.