The Japanese company SEGA has confirmed that it will maintain the physical format in its releases, in response to PlayStation's announcement to stop producing discs from 2028. President Shuji Utsumi defends the cultural value of boxed games.
SEGA has broken its silence following PlayStation's controversial decision to eliminate physical discs starting January 2028. In an interview with the Japanese magazine Famitsu, President and COO Shuji Utsumi stated that the company has no intention of abandoning the physical format, at least while there is demand.
“Originally we were a platform manufacturer and we continue to value our physical culture. Instead of abandoning it completely, we are facing the challenge of thinking and acting on the important aspects of digital technology in parallel,” Utsumi declared.
SEGA's stance comes at a time when the industry is moving towards digital distribution. PlayStation announced the end of disc production for 2028, which has generated criticism among collectors and fans who prefer to have a physical copy of their games.
Utsumi acknowledged that digitalization is a priority for the company's growth, especially on PC, where the digital market is rapidly expanding. However, he emphasized that the goal is not to completely replace physical editions, but to develop both distribution models simultaneously.
The executive highlighted that franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, Like a Dragon, and Persona are often released with special editions that include boxes, art books, and collectible items, products that continue to have high demand among fans.
For many players, discs represent more than just nostalgia: they allow for the preservation, exchange, and resale of games, as well as providing a sense of ownership that digital licenses do not offer. PlayStation's decision has reignited the debate about video game preservation and reliance on digital stores.
SEGA thus joins other companies that have shown interest in maintaining the physical format as long as there are consumers demanding it. For now, the company has not announced changes to its distribution strategy and will continue to release its titles in both physical and digital formats.
The big question is how the market will evolve after 2028. Whether more publishers will follow PlayStation's path or support a hybrid model remains to be seen. For the moment, Utsumi's statements offer some relief to collectors who feared the definitive end of boxed editions.
For the average player, this means that at least in the short and medium term, they will still be able to purchase SEGA games in physical format. The company bets on the coexistence of both models, without forcing users to choose only between digital purchases.
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