Sony plans to stop producing new PlayStation games on disc starting in 2028, but a well-known developer is speaking out in favor of keeping physical games. Piotr Babieno, head of Bloober Team and the man behind the successful *Silent Hill 2* remake, wants to continue offering his games as traditional retail versions for as long as possible. In a new interview, he explains why physical releases offer far more than just another way to buy games.
Bloober Team Wants to Offer Physical Games for as Long as Possible
These remarks appeared in an October 18, 2026 GamesRadar interview in which Babieno and Tymon Smektała, the new Executive Director of Broken Mirror Games, discuss the future of horror and the value of physical releases.
He acknowledges the economic advantages of digital releases, yet he refuses to abandon retail versions prematurely. As long as the technical and financial conditions permit, he intends to keep releasing his games on disc. For him, the decision goes beyond the physical medium’s monetary value.
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Instead, he values the personal connection that a physical collection fosters. A game on the shelf reminds him of the experience and the people who created it, and he worries that a full shift to digital could partially erase that emotional bond between players and studios.
The former Dying Light developer also supports this view
Tymon Smektała, who previously spent many years at Techland working on the Dying Light series and other projects, shares this view. He now sits on the leadership team at Broken Mirror Games, Bloober Team’s horror-focused publishing division.
Smektała says he comes from a generation that naturally collected video games, so physical boxes, packaging, and memorabilia feel essential to gaming culture.
He also acknowledges that decisions by major platform operators are crucial, so a studio’s wishes alone cannot guarantee the future of retail releases. Both developers therefore support keeping physical games alive while accepting the industry’s economic shift.
Sony is now pursuing a different strategy
These remarks gain extra weight given Sony’s planned phase-out of new PlayStation discs. In July 2026, the company announced it would stop producing physical disc versions of newly released PlayStation games starting in January 2028.
Already-released titles will still play from disc, and the decision does not apply to re-releases of older games. The move has sparked debate about the future of traditional retail, the used market, and the long-term availability of digitally purchased content.
Just days ago, PlayStation co-founder Ken Kutaragi also weighed in on the shift. In our article “PlayStation Inventor Causes a Stir with Statement on Disc Phase-Out,” we reported his view that the transition to digital distribution makes economic sense.
Bloober Team takes a different tack. Babieno acknowledges that digital releases are easier and cheaper for companies, yet he argues that economic benefits do not cover every aspect of the gaming experience.
Why Physical Games Remain Especially Appealing to Horror Fans
Physical releases still hold a firm place, especially in the horror genre. Games like *Silent Hill 2*, *Resident Evil*, and classic survival horror titles have attracted numerous collectors over the years.
For some gamers, special editions, elaborate packaging, and rare originals are just as appealing as the games themselves. With the Silent Hill 2 remake, Bloober Team has proven that classic horror franchises can thrive with modern technology.
Whether the studio’s future projects will continue to be released on physical discs depends on several factors, including the release platform, potential distribution partners, and the production capabilities available at the time. Babieno’s statement is therefore not a definitive announcement of a specific retail version. Rather, it makes it clear that the studio would like to continue supporting physical releases whenever possible.
The developer sees new limits even with modern hardware
The interview also asks how much further video game technology can advance. Babieno doubts that ever-higher resolutions and slightly better lighting alone will keep games interesting. He believes developers should focus more on how players perceive and experience a game.
One example is *Onyx: The Dark Grip*, a new horror project in development for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The title is designed specifically for handheld play, aiming to strengthen the direct link between player and device. Though such design choices don’t directly involve physical media, they reflect a shared philosophy: for Bloober Team and Broken Mirror Games, a great gaming experience depends on more than raw performance or elaborate graphics.
Physical games remain a point of contention in the gaming industry
These remarks come as several companies debate the future of traditional game media.
Nintendo has already stated that physical releases on the Switch 2 will remain part of its strategy, while Microsoft is drawing attention with a job posting that explicitly mentions the global distribution of physical Xbox games. However, none of these moves guarantees that future console generations will rely on discs or cartridges indefinitely.
Physical games cost more to produce and distribute, whereas digital distribution lets publishers earn higher margins. At the same time, questions remain about the long-term availability, resale, and true ownership of digital content. In this debate, Bloober Team aligns with those who want to keep physical games around for as long as possible.
This stance does not amount to a direct challenge to Sony. Instead, Babieno is stating a personal and business position that contrasts with the industry’s growing digitization. Whether his studio can fully achieve this goal after 2028 remains to be seen, given planned changes to the PlayStation business. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
