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In a statement published online, Kim Bayley, CEO of ERA, said its data shows that 25% of under 25s use discs for gaming, and that discs should remain as a choice on top of digital.<\/p>\n
“Playstation\u2019s announcement that major games will no longer be available on disc is a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice,\u201d Bayley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year, millions of gamers still choose to buy physical copies because they value true ownership. A disc can be shared with family, traded in, collected, preserved and, crucially, still played years from now. A download licence often offers none of those freedoms.<\/p>\n
\u201cERA consumer data shows that 25% of under 25’s use discs for gaming and the total disc based games market was valued at over \u00a3300million in 2025, demonstrating that there remains a substantial and committed audience for boxed games.<\/p>\n
\u201cRetailers see this demand every day. Physical games continue to bring people into shops and give consumers real value through gifting, collecting and resale.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe industry should be embracing every legitimate way consumers want to buy games, not narrowing their choices. Digital distribution has transformed gaming and is hugely popular, but it should complement physical formats, not replace them.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsumers deserve the freedom to choose how they buy their entertainment. Removing discs doesn’t represent progress \u2013 it simply removes choice. That’s bad for gamers, bad for retailers and ultimately bad for the long-term health and preservation of our games industry.”<\/p>\n