David Jaffe Says Sony's Shift Away From Physical Media Is About Survival

David Jaffe, the creator of the original God of War, says Sony's move away from discs comes down to the economics of modern game development. He argued that the company is not acting out of greed, but because the AAA business has become so expensive that survival is the real concern.

Jaffe said budgets for major AAA projects now regularly exceed $300 million. In that situation, boxes, disc printing, logistics, and retail work only add more costs for publishers, making physical releases harder to justify.

He also argued that digital distribution looks more attractive because it raises margins and cuts out spending tied to retail and production. In his view, that makes the digital route the more profitable option for companies trying to keep costs under control.

Jaffe added that third-party publishers are not fighting Sony's digital direction, because they benefit from it too. He said they see more control over sales and lower distribution costs in the shift, which gives them another reason to move away from discs.

He summed up his position sharply:

He also said third-party publishers are not likely to push back, adding that they would rather open champagne.

Do you agree with David Jaffe's take? Let us know in the comments!