PlayStation's Disc-Free Future Is Like Apple's CD Drive Decision, Says Industry Analyst
Sony's decision to phase out physical PlayStation games has drawn comparisons to one of the biggest shifts in consumer technology. According to industry analyst Daniel Ahmad, PlayStation's move toward a digital-only future is similar to Apple's controversial decision to remove CD drives from its laptops—a change that initially sparked backlash but eventually became the industry standard. Ahmad argues that while today's reaction is emotional, digital distribution is becoming inevitable as player habits continue to evolve.
The comparison comes shortly after Sony confirmed that it will stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games beginning in 2028. The announcement triggered widespread criticism from collectors and long-time PlayStation fans, many of whom fear losing the ability to own, trade, lend, or preserve physical copies of their games. Despite the backlash, Ahmad believes the transition reflects the current state of the market rather than a sudden strategic shift.
Using Apple's removal of the optical drive as an example, Ahmad noted that the decision was heavily criticized at the time but is now rarely questioned because streaming and digital downloads have replaced physical media for most users. He expects the gaming industry to follow a similar path, suggesting that if the transition doesn't fully happen with the PlayStation 6, it likely will by the PlayStation 7. From a business perspective, a digital ecosystem also gives platform holders greater control over pricing, distribution, and profit margins.
Even so, many PlayStation fans remain unconvinced. Petitions calling on Sony to preserve physical games continue to gain support, while critics argue that digital-only purchases reduce consumer ownership and limit long-term game preservation. Whether the backlash eventually fades—as it did with Apple's hardware decisions—or fundamentally changes Sony's plans remains uncertain, but the debate has already become one of the biggest stories in the gaming industry this year.
