Boutique special edition game makers – which produce high-quality collector’s editions for passionate fans – have come out to protest Sony’s decision to end production of discs for physical games .

The decision by Sony, made yesterday, would see production of discs for PlayStation games cease in January 2028. Sony, the only company able to create such discs, would be effectively taking a sledgehammer to the physical market, leaving only code-in-box releases as a possibility for those desiring a tangible game to hold in their hands.

IAm8Bit, a popular creator of boutique game editions – which include vinyl releases, limited physical batches of digital-only games and opulent merch bundles – posted the following on its social media accounts:

“We are profoundly disappointed by Sony’s decision to suspend physical games production in 2028. Physical games are vital to games preservation, ownership, and consumer choice, values that have guided iam8bit since our first physical release in 2016. Our commitment to these values remains unchanged. Long live physical media.”

The disappointment was echoed by Lost in Cult, a company that has built a reputation for boutique indie releases of games such as Cult of the Lamb and I Am Your Beast.

Lost in Cult wrote: “As a company on a mission to preserve video games, we are deeply saddened by the recent news from PlayStation on ending physical disc production from 2028. We aim to do everything in our power to preserve video games to the best of our ability and will continue to do so for as long as we can.”

Finally, Red Art Games joined the fray, announcing its dedication to keep “the physical spirit alive”. Based in France, Red Art has brought a variety of niche or retro games to the PlayStation 4 and 5 with high-end physical releases.

Red Arts’ statement reads: “In 2018, Red Art Games was founded by collectors for whom physical games are an integral part of the overall gaming experience. For us, physical copies of games are not just products, they’re gaming itself.

“Sony’s announcement regarding the phase out of physical media in 2028 has hit us deeply; for us at Red Art Games this is not just an industrial decision. It is a shock that strikes at our very core, as our love for the PlayStation disc is inseparable from our identity.

“For us, physical gaming is more than a format, it’s about ownership, preservation, and passion. We remain fully committed to our mission of bringing you premium physical editions of games you love.

“While the industry landscape evolves, our dedication to your shelves remains unchanged. We are already planning our future lineup and are more determined than ever to keep the physical spirit alive. We’re committed to bringing physical games to PlayStation consoles for as long as we can.”

While all companies mentioned are standing firm against this decision, it’s worth highlighting that this is undoubtedly a major hurdle for them, and an example of how Sony’s choice to end physical support for its console ripples out and impacts others around it.

Whether these companies can continue to thrive without physical PlayStation games is a big question for a small but heartful industry, as is what future collector’s pieces look like without the presence of an actual, material, game.