Sony refuses to back down from killing physical media despite massive backlash; I hope Xbox doesn't follow their example, even though it's likely it will

A person in a black suit and mask stands on a metal platform in a server room, dropping several optical discs toward a dark pit near consoles.

After weeks of backlash and ridicule from gamers, fast-food companies, game designers like Hideo Kojima, and even a politician, Sony has finally made an official response to all criticism launched at the company for its decision to end physical game disc production for PlayStation consoles from 2028 onwards.

This response comes from Sony's first-quarter financial report for 2026, where during a Q&A session, Sony's Chief Financial Officer, Lin Tao, was asked about this controversial decision via a live interpreter who pointed out Sony had already announced its plan to end game discs a year and a half in advance.