Why would they shift to a much more expensive format? Game cartridges are in bigger trouble than disks. A 128GB PS6 cartridge could cost a small fortune in 2028. Unlike cartridges, discs aren't affected by the NAND crisis.

If disk manufacturing is becoming costly due to lower volumes, they should have made a $10+ gap between physical and digital just like Nintendo. This would have promoted digital more naturally and with a minimal outrage.

This move is meant to instantly force everyone into digital where they can theoretically make 35% more money per first party title, and twice more money for third party titles. Publishers like it too, as they no longer have to pay for manufacturing and retailers. Their tax pretty much goes from 50%~ to 30%.

I'm with everyone thinking they're not necessarily leaving physical media for good. They're very possibly just moving from disc to cart.

Here's why:

-Gamers are saying PS6 will be a hard sell for many reasons. SNY needs some new, cool, different stuff to offer. Game carts help solve that.

-PS5 got somewhat roasted for being too big and it's disc bulge. For PS6 a game cart slot helps solve that.

-PS6 will have a handheld model. Discs won't be an option for it on the go. Game carts help solve that.

-Disc to SSD transfer times are slow. SSD's are getting very expensive, especially the larger they get. Game carts help solve that. 

-Gamers in general want physical media to remain, some more so. SNY doesn't want to anger them too much. Game carts help solve that.

-SNY would prefer everyone to buy digital. A more expensive format, during a more expensive era, means game carts help to solve that.

I'm sure there's even more reasons that could be added, but you get the point. Game carts or something like it make a lot of sense.

SNY could go full blown digital only, physical customers be damned, but long term for the brand, game carts make sense, for another gen, or two.

Sony literally announced it'll provide digital media only.

"Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only"

"This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs"

I'm with everyone thinking they're not necessarily leaving physical media for good. They're very possibly just moving from disc to cart.

Here's why:

-Gamers are saying PS6 will be a hard sell for many reasons. SNY needs some new, cool, different stuff to offer. Game carts help solve that.

-PS5 got somewhat roasted for being too big and it's disc bulge. For PS6 a game cart slot helps solve that.

-PS6 will have a handheld model. Discs won't be an option for it on the go. Game carts help solve that.

-Disc to SSD transfer times are slow. SSD's are getting very expensive, especially the larger they get. Game carts help solve that. 

-Gamers in general want physical media to remain, some more so. SNY doesn't want to anger them too much. Game carts help solve that.

-SNY would prefer everyone to buy digital. A more expensive format, during a more expensive era, means game carts help to solve that.

I'm sure there's even more reasons that could be added, but you get the point. Game carts or something like it make a lot of sense.

SNY could go full blown digital only, physical customers be damned, but long term for the brand, game carts make sense, for another gen, or two.

Could just be plays on words.

-What does SNY consider physical vs digital? Discs actually spin and need physical movement to work. Game carts just sit still in a slot.

-PS Store doesn't sell game disc versions now does it? What if retailers can only sell digital but you can buy a cart version from the PS Store? It's implied that PS Store is tied to the same meaning as retailers, but that's not a guarantee.

-Physical discs may be an old trend, and digital is the go to trend, but the new trend is game carts in console gaming. Just like hybrid handhelds...

Again I could very well be wrong but it's just hard to believe SNY is legit pulling the plug.

Discs solve all of that (except PS6 handheld physical games) and to a much better effect than cartridges. Sony never had a problem to be solved; they created one out of nothing. It's just pure greed and arrogance that they can do whatever they want and people will accept it after a short priod of outrage. Xbox's slow death is feeding into their confidence. They seem to think they have no real competitors anymore.

SSD and highspeed cartridges use the same underlying technology. Their prices are going up together. A 128GB PS6 cartridge sold in 2028 at $100 might net Sony only $20 ($50 cost + up to 30% retailer cut). This isn't a real solution. Discs were actually a huge advantage to Sony but they chose to discard it because they think most physical fans will shut up and adapt to digital which makes a lot more money. Not to mention it would eliminate trading.

Yeah this is what happens when you don't have direct competition. 

The death of Xbox as a relevant platform means Sony are free to do what they want as they no longer fear losing their audience to the competition.

Sony is clearly talking about downloads, the second part quoted on my previous post very clearly talks about things already happening as consumers already preffer digital media (by their words).

Sony is pushing based on data from their own, there is no mistery here, GTA VI, the biggest game launch ever, is a code in a box, that's exactly what they are talking about.

Digital format only, following consumer trends (which means things already happening), there is no big play with words here.