The End of Discs: Black Myth: Wukong Publisher Discusses the Future of Physical Media
While the massive success of Black Myth: Wukong has been a game-changer for PM Studios, the publisher is facing a significant industry shift. Sony's announcement that it will end disc production for PlayStation by January 2028 is creating uncertainty for companies built around physical media distribution.
For the Las Vegas-based PM Studios, physical publishing has been a core business for two decades, helping bring titles from Korea and China to Western markets. Michael Yum, CEO of the company, described Black Myth: Wukong as one of their biggest risks, noting that its unprecedented success
The scale of Black Myth: Wukong's impact was so vast that it overshadowed much of the publisher's other work. However, the rise of digital-native gamers and Sony's upcoming shift away from discs present a major challenge. Michael Yum described the news as "sad and devastating," noting that while digital sales dominate, physical media still holds significant value in specific niches:
- Collectibility: Fans continue to seek physical versions of successful indie titles, such as Animal Well.
- Younger Audiences: Physical copies remain vital for children's games; for instance, roughly 80% of sales for Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen were physical.
- Practicality: The ability to share discs among family members remains a practical advantage over digital-only accounts.
In response to these shifts, PM Studios is evolving. The publisher is moving toward more digital titles and focusing on the AA market to mitigate risks. This includes taking on full publishing and investment roles for high-profile projects, such as the Telltale Games sequel The Wolf Among Us 2, providing the necessary funding and marketing support to bring major IPs to completion.
Yum also highlighted the rapid rise of Chinese developers, praising their speed and talent. He warned that the efficiency of Chinese studios could reshape the global landscape, potentially allowing giants like Tencent and NetEase to dominate if the rest of the industry fails to keep pace.
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