Assassin's Creed Maker Says PlayStation Killing Discs Has Pluses - Kotaku

What the report says

Kotaku reports that Ubisoft has become one of the first major game publishers to comment publicly on Sony’s recently announced plan to phase out PlayStation discs in 2028. During Ubisoft’s latest earnings call, CEO Yves Guillemot was asked how an all-digital PlayStation business could affect the market. He said the shift would have advantages and drawbacks, but suggested it was unlikely to significantly disrupt the wider industry.

According to Kotaku, Guillemot compared the situation to PC gaming, where digital storefronts helped expand the market. He also pointed to potential hardware cost pressures, saying a digital-only console could help make machines more accessible. The comments come amid debate over whether removing disc drives could lower manufacturing costs for future PlayStation hardware while increasing reliance on platform-run digital stores.

Kotaku notes that the move could benefit companies such as Sony by shifting more sales through the PlayStation Store rather than retail channels. However, the article also highlights consumer concerns, including reduced practical ownership, weaker preservation prospects, and the loss of a used-game market that can help lower prices. The report says PlayStation fans have been posting angry responses on Sony’s social and video channels since the announcement.

The article places Ubisoft’s remarks against the publisher’s own business pressures, including restructuring, layoffs, budget cuts and delayed development timelines. Kotaku reports that Ubisoft’s quarterly earnings fell nearly 10 percent from a year earlier, while Assassin’s Creed Black Flag: Resynced has exceeded full-year expectations, with more than 3.5 million copies sold.