Bloober Team plans to produce physical retail editions of its video games for as long as possible, studio leadership announced on Oct. 19, following Sony’s decision to phase out disc manufacturing.
Key points
- Bloober Team CEO Piotr Babieno announced the studio aims to release physical games for as long as retail distribution remains viable.
- The commitment follows Sony's decision to discontinue physical PlayStation 5 disc production starting in 2028.
- Babieno cited tactile connection as a primary factor behind releasing Onyx: The Dark Grip exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
- Upcoming releases such as Cronos: The New Dawn and a future Silent Hill remake could mark the studio's final PS5 discs.
The stance comes as platform holders accelerate the transition toward all-digital ecosystems, highlighted by Sony’s timetable to end physical PlayStation 5 disc production starting in 2028. Several development studios have since reaffirmed their backing for boxed media.
Commitment to Physical Media Distribution
Bloober Team Chief Executive Officer Piotr Babieno stated that maintaining a physical presence on retail shelves provides an irreplaceable link between game creators and players. The studio previously developed the remake of Silent Hill 2 and is working on an upcoming Silent Hill remake.
Collecting games also [made] an emotional connection between the game and me, between the studio which produced the game and me. This little emotional touch is so important that, I think in some way, we would lose the opportunity of being closer with our fans [without it]. So, if we are able to produce a [physical] retail version of our games, we would like to make them for as long as possible.
Babieno acknowledged the business forces driving console manufacturers away from discs, noting that digital distribution lowers logistics expenses and yields higher profit margins for publishers and platform holders.
Sensory Experience and Switch 2 Exclusivity
The studio addressed physical media while detailing its upcoming release, Onyx: The Dark Grip, which is planned exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Babieno pointed to sensory engagement as a core consideration in an era marked by artificial intelligence tools and graphics upscaling software such as Nvidia DLSS 5.
As humans, we have four other senses, and AI can deliver something for what you see, for what you hear, but why not touch? I think the physical element of gaming will always, always be there.
Future Release Pipeline and the 2028 Deadline
The timeline creates manufacturing constraints for Bloober Team’s future catalog on Sony hardware. With disc production set to conclude in 2028, the studio’s upcoming projects face varying distribution paths depending on their release dates:
- Silent Hill 2 Remake: Currently available at retail on physical disc media.
- Cronos: The New Dawn: Slated to launch on disc ahead of the platform transition.
- Upcoming Silent Hill Remake: Lacks an official release date, leaving its physical format status unconfirmed.
If the unannounced Silent Hill remake arrives after 2028, Silent Hill 2 and Cronos: The New Dawn will stand as Bloober Team’s final physical disc releases for the PlayStation 5 platform.
