Sony to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs by 2028

Sony to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs by 2028">

Sony announced Wednesday that it will stop producing physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting in January 2028, marking a move into an all-digital future. After that, every new release will be sold digitally through the PlayStation Store and other retailers. Games released before the cutoff will continue to be available on disc.

Physical copies have long been a staple of gaming culture, so for many players, saying goodbye to game discs will be bittersweet. However, Sony said the decision reflects how most players already buy and play games today. "This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs.

This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today," the company wrote in its announcement. According to Sony's financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, digital downloads accounted for 85% of full-game software sales on PS4 and PS5, while physical copies accounted for the remaining 15%. The decline of physical games has also been reflected in retail, with stores that once relied heavily on physical discs continuing to shrink as more players buy online.

GameStop has reportedly closed more than 1,300 stores over the past two fiscal years. The announcement comes just days after Grand Theft Auto 6 fans reacted negatively after learning that the game's "physical" edition would include only a download code inside the box instead of an actual game disc, highlighting that a group of gamers still value collecting physical editions. Additionally, Sony revealed on Wednesday that it's shutting down the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 3 in select markets later this year, followed by global closures of the PS3 and PlayStation Vita stores next year.

Once those stores close, players won't be able to purchase new digital content on those systems. Sony said previously purchased games and content will still be available to download for the foreseeable future. Why this matters: Sony's shift to an all-digital future for PlayStation games reflects a broader industry trend towards digital distribution.

This move is likely to have significant implications for game developers, publishers, and retailers, who will need to adapt to a changing market. For consumers, the shift may mean greater convenience and accessibility to games, but also a loss of physical ownership and the tactile experience of buying and collecting games. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, questions remain about the long-term impact of digital-only distribution on game preservation, accessibility, and the gaming community as a whole.