Sega won't abandon physical games despite Sony's 2028 deadline to end PlayStation disc production. Sega president Haruka Satomi acknowledged Sony's decision makes business sense given weak physical PS5 sales data, but the company plans to keep producing cartridges and discs alongside digital releases.
Satomi told Famitsu that physical media remains important for certain markets and player segments. While digital distribution dominates in developed regions, physical games maintain stronger sales in emerging markets where internet infrastructure remains unreliable. Sega's strategy prioritizes both channels rather than betting entirely on one.
The comment reflects growing divergence among publishers on the all-digital transition. Sony's commitment to ending disc production by 2028 represents the most aggressive shift toward digital-only distribution. Microsoft maintains Xbox Series X support, though Game Pass pushes players toward subscription-based digital access. Nintendo continues bundling cartridges with most Switch releases, including the upcoming Switch 2.
Sega's position matters because the company publishes across all platforms and maintains significant leverage in Japan, where physical games retain stronger cultural presence than in Western markets. Franchises like Sonic, Total War, and Persona generate revenue through physical releases that justify production costs.
The broader industry trend still leans digital. PlayStation's physical decline stems from genuine player migration toward convenience and faster downloads. Yet complete abandonment leaves money on the table, particularly for Nintendo and publishers targeting global audiences. Sega's both-and approach acknowledges this reality. Physical media won't disappear quickly despite Sony's timeline. Market forces will determine whether companies maintain dual distribution or gradually phase out cartridges and discs as manufacturing costs rise and digital adoption accelerates further.