Video game publisher Astrolabe Games unveiled their “AGO Manifesto” on July 10, stating that the company will manufacture and sell PlayStation 5 physical versions of all their currently unreleased titles that meet the basic requirements.
Astrolabe Games is a publisher based in China, and boasts a diverse catalogue of games across multiple genres, including the 3D rabbit metroidvania F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch. This year, it has released multiple titles including the console port of BLAZBLUE ENTROPY EFFECT X, a roguelike action spin-off of the BLAZBLUE series.
The “AGO Manifesto” comes as a response to the recent news of the discontinuation of physical disks for PlayStation, which is scheduled for 2028. The initiative was named after Astrolabe Game’s Chinese nickname “a-gou” (阿狗, meaning “a puppy”), and the English phrase “to give something a go,” symbolizing the company’s attempt to pursue physical publishing.
According to the official announcement, the initiative will cover all of Astrolabe’s unreleased titles which have been approved for PlayStation 5 before June 1, 2027, with the physical releases planned to roll out in the second half of 2027. The publisher guarantees that it will “produce, manufacture, and distribute at least a run at minimum order quantity of PS5 physical editions in at least one region (NA/EMEA/Asia).” However, the games might not be available in every territory worldwide, due to the regional differences in distribution conditions and market demand.
On the other hand, the publisher warns that, since this is a goodwill commitment, if the production of a PS5 physical edition is prevented by uncontrollable circumstances, they will not be liable for compensation. This includes the possibility of platform holders introducing policies that make production impossible, regional distribution partners reaching production capacity, developers choosing not to proceed with the production of a PS5 version, etc.
At the time of writing, Gurei, Fall Up and OMEGA PHENEX COMMENCED PROJECT SIX have already been confirmed as eligible titles and are set to receive physical editions in Q4 of 2026, the first half of 2027 and the second half of 2027 respectively. Additional games will be added to the initiative as they become available, given that they qualify for a physical PS5 release.
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What is the purpose of remove the physical disc edition on the PS5, that is like saying ok let’s not make no more blu-ray disc, u make gamers spend alot of money on the ps5 or the bundle between $500 to $560 and that is worldwide so whatever playstation headquarters spend more, I bet your make maybe 3 or 4 times more money as we speak, I believe that your need a second opinion because too many people are upset for the fact that, your want to go digital, like my self I love disc it is better, god for bet, that one day a hacker could go to the playstation server then control everything. Too many people will be disappointed so talk about and make it right because if your don’t, instead of 100% people of buying the PS6, U probably will get 20% or 30% people will get the ps6
Ya’ll know Sony isn’t stopping until 2028 yeah?
That doesn’t mean they’re not going to get pushback now..
This isn’t getting received well.
That’s the only way Sony’s is going to change back to physical, if dev teams demand it.
Don’t fall for this nonsense, it’s not until 2028 that Sony has stated it will stop disk production.
Now if this company is able to produce signed disks after this date which I HIGHLY doubt then we can give them props.
Support any dev who will continue to make physical discs until 2028, DO NOT SUPPORT Any Sony company, make them suffer for this idiotic decision. If you continue to support Sony in any way you are telling them you don’t care if you don’t actually own games any more and that they can continue to charge you over $100 for games. If you continue to support Sony you are part of the problem. Unless they come up with some way you can trade, sell or share you “game code” they will lose this battle. Go buy second hand, keep the discs alive, if you don’t we’ll end up like old cartridge games, people hoarding them because most got chucked and then charging several hundred dollars for a game from the 90’s.
The fact it’s been speculated for decades to happen, the fact sony was the company that revolutionized the disc in the first place, it is for them to decide in the end. But what the physical games that collect dust in your possession are too important to you? Well sell em, they will be more valuable once the discontinuation hits. Or you can shut up and use the ps plus catalogue and your 3 free monthly games that are all digital like most of your library like you have been.
Sony has control over the PlayStation ecosystem. The platform holder ultimately sets the rules of the platform, while developers operate within that environment. Sum this up to few words, “profitable and sustainable.” This article mine as well be “where will this company be in 5-10 years after 2028” Blockbuster, Kodak, Nokia, and BlackBerry all had loyal customers, but loyalty alone doesn’t stop technological shifts. Whether this company knows this already and is just misleading the community is unknown