"It's sad and devastating" – Black Myth: Wukong's physical publisher is mourning the loss of PlayStation discs
PM Studios has been doing physical game publishing for a long time. In its early days, around 20 years ago, the Las Vegas-based publisher brought the Korean rhythm-action series DJMax to the US, and since then it has carved out a healthy business from slapping a wide range of titles onto discs and cartridges. Read more
Black Myth: Wukong's physical publisher, PM Studios, is mourning the loss of PlayStation discs as Sony announced it will end disc production for the PlayStation in January 2028. CEO Michael Yum expressed sadness over the change, saying it's sad and devastating. Yum's company has been doing physical game publishing for over two decades and has backed more than a hundred games annually.
When PM Studios took on Black Myth: Wukong, it was considered a big risk, but the game turned out to be a massive success that covered everything else. Yum noted that the game's popularity led to the end of physical disc production for PlayStation.
Yum explained that many younger gamers are now accustomed to buying digital copies, making it difficult for them to understand how to use a physical disc. Although digital games account for the majority of sales worldwide, Yum emphasized that there's still a strong physical market for games aimed at younger players. He cited the success of Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen, which had roughly 80% of its sales in physical form.
Big IPs and indie titles with strong digital sales, such as Animal Well, also benefit from physical versions.
Yum highlighted the economic appeal of physical games, as they can be shared among friends, unlike digital copies tied to one person's account. He noted that the outcry over the end of physical discs is mainly due to players losing a choice. Despite the shift towards digital releases, PM Studios will continue to support physical publishing as much as possible, exploring unique ways to bring games to market, such as premium bundles and collectible editions.
To adapt to the changing landscape, PM Studios is focusing on digital titles and taking on full publishing responsibilities for various games, including My Time at Evershine and The Wolf Among Us 2. The publisher is also exploring AA games, which have recently gained popularity due to their higher quality graphics. Yum hopes this approach will help support indie games and allow PM Studios to take bigger risks on larger IPs.
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