Killing PlayStation discs could make PS Store games cheaper, according to a former Square Enix exec

A former Square Enix executive has suggested that the end of physical media for PlayStation could lead to lower prices for games sold on the PS Store. Sony announced on July 1st that all games, including those not published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, will be digital-only in Japan starting January 2028. This applies to most titles, including third-party releases.

Jacob Navok, who previously served as Square Enix's director of business development and is now CEO of Genvid, explained the reasoning behind this potential price reduction on Twitter/X. Navok argues that competition among publishers is what drives pricing pressure, not competition between digital stores like the Epic Games Store or Steam.

The store itself sets the price on these platforms, not the publishers. According to Navok, this means that the competition between Steam and the Epic Games Store primarily impacts the percentage of revenue developers receive, rather than the actual price paid by consumers. In cases where a game competes directly with others on the same platform, prices often drop due to this competition.

Navok predicts that as the PlayStation Store becomes entirely digital-only, this trend will accelerate, resulting in more frequent sales and dynamic pricing similar to what's seen on Steam. However, it's important to note that while cheaper games could result from this change, there are still concerns about digital ownership rights and the lack of a physical option for those who prefer it.

Ultimately, whether this trade-off benefits players depends on individual perspectives. Sony appears committed to its decision to phase out disc-based games, as evidenced by a warning notice now displayed on new PS5 consoles that have disc drives, informing users of the upcoming cessation of physical media support as of the beginning of 2028.