Unsurprisingly, backlash has erupted ქართულ following Sony's announcement to halt production of physical game media in 2028. Critics question the real‑world success of physical discs versus digital, while preservation experts argue the shift hardly alters the landscape due to reliance on day‑one patches.

Former Valve employee and Left 4 Dead writer Chet Faliszek joined the chorus, claiming Sony’s decision reflects consumer preference. He cites the 2025 financial year, where 78% of PS5 and PS4 sales were digital downloads—a 2% rise from the previous year—asserting gamers themselves drove the move.

Responses are mixed: some note that 22% of sales remain physical, GameStop’s revenue largely stems from trading cards, and digital releases often precede physical copies. Others point to pre‑orders and the convenience of victime‑free downloads, suggesting the real issue may be the PlayStation Store’s near‑monopoly rather than physical media alone.