Ubisoft CFO confirms physical discs will stay for Assassin's Creed

Frédérick Duguet just handed Sony a quiet but significant rebuke. The Ubisoft CFO told investors on October 07, 2026, that the publisher will not follow PlayStation in abandoning physical media by 2028. This decision is not sentimental. It is a cold, hard calculation based on the fact that up to fifty percent of sales for major titles like Assassin's Creed still come from boxed editions in key markets. Dropping that revenue stream would be financial suicide for a company spending millions on AAA development.

The timing is sharp. Sony has publicly stated its intent to phase out disc production within the next couple of years. Ubisoft is saying no. They are betting that a huge chunk of their audience still prefers holding a game in their hands before playing it. This is a direct challenge to the assumption that digital is the only future for major console and PC releases.

The Numbers Behind the Decision

Duguet did not mince words about the financial reality. He noted that for their biggest releases, the physical format accounts for a massive portion of total revenue. In many countries, the boxed version is not a niche product. It is a primary driver of sales. For a title with a multi-million dollar budget, losing half of potential income because a player prefers a disc is not a viable business model.

This is not about nostalgia. It is about margin. Ubisoft is looking at the data and seeing that the collector and the casual buyer who prefers a physical object are still there in force. They are choosing to serve that market rather than chase a hypothetical all-digital future that their numbers do not support. It is a pragmatic move that prioritizes guaranteed revenue over ideological purity.

A Strategic Divergence

Sony is moving toward a fully digital ecosystem, a path that aligns with their hardware strategy and the convenience of instant downloads. Ubisoft is splitting the difference. They will continue to release games on disc, but they will decide on a case-by-case basis. Some projects might be digital-only, while others will definitely get a physical release. This flexibility allows them to target specific demographics and platforms without being locked into a single distribution model.

This creates an interesting dichotomy in the industry. You now have two major players with fundamentally different views on the role of physical media. Sony is betting on the convenience and control of a digital-only world. Ubisoft is betting on the tangible value of a disc. This is not a minor detail. It shapes how players buy games, how they collect them, and how publishers structure their marketing and sales strategies.

What This Means for Gamers

For the player, this is good news. It means that if you prefer to buy a physical copy of your next big Assassin's Creed or Star Wars game, you will have the option. You will not be forced into a digital-only ecosystem by the publisher. This is a win for collectors and for those who like the ritual of inserting a disc into their console or PC.

It also signals that the physical market is not dead. It is simply evolving. Ubisoft is acknowledging that a significant portion of their audience still values the physical object. This is a rejection of the idea that digital is the only way forward. It is a recognition that different players have different preferences, and a smart business model respects that diversity.

The Industry Implications

This move by Ubisoft could have a ripple effect. Other publishers may feel emboldened to keep physical releases on the table, knowing that a major player is still investing in the format. It challenges the narrative that the physical market is in irreversible decline. Instead, it suggests that the market is simply stabilizing at a level where physical sales remain a significant, if not dominant, force.

The decision also highlights the importance of data-driven decision making in the gaming industry. Ubisoft is not making this choice based on sentiment or tradition. They are making it based on sales data. This is a reminder that in business, the numbers often speak louder than the hype. If the data shows that physical sales are still strong, then that is where the investment should go.

Looking Ahead

The next few years will be interesting to watch. Will Sony stick to its guns and fully transition to digital? Or will they see the success of Ubisoft's strategy and reconsider? The answer will likely depend on how the market responds to the continued availability of physical games. If players continue to buy discs in large numbers, then the physical format will remain a vital part of the gaming landscape.

Ubisoft has made its position clear. They are not going anywhere. They are committed to serving their audience in the way that they prefer. This is a bold move in an industry that is often eager to embrace the next big thing. By sticking with the disc, Ubisoft is betting on the past, present, and future of physical gaming. It is a bet that could pay off in a big way.