Developer Survey Reignites Hopes for PS6 Physical Discs

Sony reportedly sent a large survey to game developers asking whether there are problems selling physical PlayStation games. The questionnaire was broader than the company’s usual developer surveys and included questions that appeared to probe concerns about ending physical disc releases.

A technology content creator who discussed the survey on a podcast said the questionnaire was “bigger than they’ve sent almost ever before, if not ever before” and included a question framed to ask whether there is an issue with how Sony sells games physically. The creator attributed the information to contacts in the developer community and said those contacts indicated Sony sought feedback about stopping disc production.

The survey comes months after the company announced it will end physical disc production for new PlayStation titles starting January 2028. Developers reportedly raised concerns at Gamescom about the decision, and some players and retailers reacted strongly when the policy was revealed.

The creator pointed to current sales of Marvel’s Wolverine as an example of ongoing demand for physical copies, saying the title “is still selling plenty of physical copies.” He suggested Sony may be collecting developer feedback in light of sales data and community reaction.

Sony has not confirmed the survey or released details about its contents. The company has previously maintained the 2028 timeline. In July, Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao told an interviewer that Sony had “received various opinions” and planned to consider community feedback while exploring how to engage players in a future digital ecosystem.

The reported survey, public reaction to the 2028 announcement and comments from company executives form the current public record on Sony’s shift toward a digital-first distribution model. The account of the survey is based on the creator’s contacts and has not been independently verified by the company.