Recently, rumors popped up that Sony may be rethinking its commitment to an all-digital game future, thanks to supposed internal chatter at Microsoft about a "100% physical" Xbox Helix console. Now, industry insiders, both former and current, appear to be shutting down those rumors entirely, alleging that Sony will stick to its digital guns and have an all-digital console ecosystem by the end of December 2028.

Richard Browne, formerly of Sony and Psygnosis, commented on both new rumors in a new X post, claiming that there was no talk of a change in Sony's plans at the recent Gamescom industry expo, adding that publishers are "following their guidance for discless in 2028," and that Microsoft's new Project Helix would also likely be digital when it launches. While his commentary has largely been called into question, given he last worked at Sony in 2014, notable leaker, NateTheHate2, has also chimed in, echoing Browne's comments about Sony.

Unsurprisingly, there has been more than a little backlash following Sony's recent decision to end the production of physical games media in 2028. Much of that backlash has been met with questions from skeptics about the real-world success of physical media compared to digital, and even game preservation experts have highlighted that the death of physical media hardly changes the landscape, given the dependence on day-one patches.

Now, former Valve employee, and writer for Left 4 Dead, Chet Faliszek, has added his voice to the chorus questioning the backlash, with the writer arguing in a recent YouTube video that Sony's decision is purely a result of consumer choice. He argues that consumers and gamers created the circumstances that drove Sony to make the decision to end physical media production by preferring digital media.