Physical Publisher Mourns PlayStation Disc Phase-Out
PM Studios CEO Michael Yum calls Sony's end of disc production 'sad and devastating' but sees opportunity in AA games and Chinese development speed.
The physical publisher behind the disc release of Black Myth: Wukong is reacting to Sony's plan to stop making PlayStation discs. PM Studios CEO Michael Yum described the 2028 phase-out as a sad and devastating blow to a business that still sees strong demand for boxed games, especially for family titles.
Yum told GamesIndustry.biz that his company backs over a hundred physical games yearly. He cited the children's game Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen, where roughly 80% of sales were physical. The executive, a self-described primary PlayStation player, noted a generational shift, saying his own digital-native children get confused about putting a disc in.
Adapting to a Digital Future
PM Studios is exploring new models as disc production ends. The publisher is looking at offering game codes in collectible boxes. Yum emphasized a focus on premium bundles and fan service to maintain a physical presence. He argued that removing the disc option upsets consumers, even if digital dominates sales. For families, the shareable nature of a physical copy retains economic appeal. Yum, who has twins, said he prefers buying one disc they can share rather than two digital licenses.
The company reports healthy physical sales for indie hits that first succeeded digitally, like Animal Well. Collectors often return to support a physical version after a digital launch. Yum stated, "The fans come back to support the physical version of the game. The collectors are buying stuff."
Betting on the AA Market
With time running out for PlayStation discs, PM Studios is expanding its digital publishing efforts. It is taking on full publishing duties for titles like My Time at Evershine and is involved with Telltale's The Wolf Among Us 2. Yum said his company provided funding and operational support to help finish the long-gestating sequel. The goal now is to take bigger risks on bigger IPs.
Inspired by the monumental success of Black Myth: Wukong, Yum sees major potential in the AA (mid-tier) game market. He believes these titles, with their higher graphical quality, attract more immediate attention in crowded digital storefronts than many indie games. However, the publisher remains a champion for indie developers, helping them finish projects and release on platforms like the upcoming Switch 2.
To mitigate the higher risk of AA projects, PM Studios seeks games with attached IP, credible developers, or strong wishlist numbers. Yum said, "We will make sure that it has something to it... Anything we can do to help reduce some of that risk."
The Rise of Chinese Development
Yum highlighted the rising influence of Chinese AA development teams, praising their speed and talent. He has been working extensively with Chinese developers and called their output incredible. Yum warned that these teams are setting a new bar for production speed and cost, suggesting they could take over if the rest of the world does not keep pace. He pointed out that giants Tencent and NetEase already own a significant portion of the industry.
Despite this focus, most of PM Studios' upcoming slate features Western developers. The publisher also continues to support physical collectors through its recently launched community platform, Panax. Yum said the platform recently went viral due to a trophy-tracking feature and promises more benefits for publishers and collectors. The company plans to advocate for physical games until the very end.
