What Ubisoft Actually Thinks
Guillemot acknowledged both upsides and downsides to abandoning physical games, but ultimately suggested the shift would not disturb
the industry too much. That measured tone masks a fundamental split: what benefits publishers doesn’t necessarily benefit players.
PC Gaming Proved This Model Works
Guillemot pointed to PC gaming as his precedent. Steam and other all-digital storefronts have helped the PC market grow significantly. Ubisoft itself runs Ubisoft Connect, its own launcher, which lets the company avoid platform fees entirely and keep more revenue.
The math is straightforward: eliminate the middleman (retailers), eliminate physical manufacturing costs, keep the profit.
Sony’s Money vs. Player Ownership
Sony’s all-digital strategy follows the exact same logic. By removing physical disc sales, Sony captures nearly 100 percent of revenue from digital copies sold through the PlayStation Store. For first-party titles like Marvel’s Wolverine, that means full revenue with no retail cuts.
| Perspective | The Case For | The Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sony/Publishers | Higher profit margins, direct price control, no used game competition | None (for them) |
| Players | Supposedly more affordable machines down the road | No ownership, no resale, no game preservation, worse pricing power |
The problem is obvious: what works for publishers doesn’t work for players. Thousands of PlayStation fans have flooded social channels with angry comments disputing Guillemot’s not disturb
assessment entirely. They’re not wrong.
Why Sony Is Pushing This Now
Rising component costs likely pressure the decision. Producing the PlayStation 6 will be expensive, and going all-digital cuts costs significantly. Guillemot acknowledged this could lead to a more accessible machine
in terms of price, but that trades consumer rights for affordability.
Ubisoft’s Own Struggles Don’t Help the Optics
The timing of Ubisoft’s support is awkward. The company is currently in restructuring mode with ongoing layoffs and budget cuts. Its latest quarterly earnings were down nearly 10 percent year-over-year.
But there’s one bright spot: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag: Resynced has already sold over 3.5 million copies, crushing its full-year projections. That success likely makes Ubisoft even more convinced that going digital, where they control pricing and distribution, is the path forward.
The Real Story
Guillemot’s support for Sony’s move isn’t surprising. Publishers benefit massively from all-digital markets. What’s striking is how disconnected that remains from what players actually want. PC gaming did go digital, yes. But players had a choice. They could buy used games elsewhere, trade titles, or walk away. On PlayStation, in 2028, they won’t have any of those options.
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