The future of video game should not be written without the physical format

The physical format is still necessary: the debate that the industry should not consider closed.

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The decision of some companies to increasingly bet on the digital format has reopened a debate that seemed dormant after PlayStation’s announcement to end it starting in January 2028. In recent days, a highly shared post on social media has put back on the table an idea that many gamers have been defending for years: the physical format still has an important role and should not disappear.

Beyond personal preferences, the discussion revolves around a fundamental aspect for the industry: the coexistence of both models. The rise of digital has been unstoppable over the past decade, but that doesn’t mean the disc has lost its meaning for millions of gamers.

Digital and physical are not enemies, they can coexist perfectly

Those who buy a game in physical format don’t always do it for collecting purposes. For many, it’s a way to preserve their titles, lend them, sell them when they finish the adventure, or simply have the peace of mind that they are part of a tangible collection.

The digital format, on the other hand, offers obvious advantages: immediate access, convenience, purchases from anywhere, and increasing integration with services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. It’s a model that has changed the way we consume video games and will continue to grow.

However, one thing shouldn’t imply the disappearance of the other. The preservation of video games also involves maintaining alternatives. Throughout history, we’ve seen how digital stores have closed, licenses have expired, and games have disappeared from sale. In that context, physical editions continue to play an important role in ensuring that many works can still be enjoyed over the years.

Perhaps the future of the industry will be mostly digital, but that doesn’t mean we should close the door to those who still bet on the physical format. In the end, the best decision is not to force the player to choose a single path, but to allow each one to enjoy video games as they prefer. Because the more formats that exist, the more options players will have, and the better the legacy of an industry that is part of the culture of millions of people will be preserved.