- Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot says Sony’s plan to end physical game disc production won’t have a major impact on the industry
- Guillemot says there are pros and cons to the decision
- He says, “I think it will not disturb the industry too much”
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot doesn’t think Sony’s decision to retire the production of physical game discs will have a considerable impact on the industry.
Guillemot’s comment comes from an earnings call following the release of its first-quarter 2026-27 sales (via VGC), during which the CEO was asked if Sony‘s plan to end disc production starting January 2028 could have a positive or negative effect on the future of the games industry.
While many disagree with Sony’s decision, and some analysts predict it will endanger the $7.2 billion second-hand game market, Guillemot doesn’t believe it will have a major impact on the industry at large.
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“What we saw on the PC is that it helped to grow the market,” Guillemot said. “There’s also some pressure for the future on the cost of machines, and being able to be only digital will help to have a more accessible machine, I would think.
“As you said, there are pluses and minuses, but I think it will not disturb the industry too much.”
Sony announced its plan earlier this month and saw overwhelming backlash from fans. According to Wedbush Securities managing director of strategic planning Michael Pachter, Sony’s plan to phase out discs in two years is now a threat to the used game market.
“Realistically, at least one-third of games have been sold historically as used, and the games that were sold also provided currency to the gamer who traded them in as cash to pay for new games,” Pachter said. “Brick and mortar game retail is doomed.”
Sega president Shuji Utsumi has also addressed the controversy and said that while the digital shift is “crucial,” the company still understands the importance of physical media.
“If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too,” Niikawa said. “A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way.”
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