Sony has revealed plans to discontinue the production of physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting in 2028. The decision comes as a response to the increasing trend among customers to purchase and download games digitally rather than through physical copies.
The move has sparked backlash from gamers who are concerned about losing ownership of their game collections. Sony’s communications director, Sid Shuman, explained in a post on the PlayStation Blog that physical disc production for new PlayStation games will cease in January 2028. Moving forward, PlayStation games will only be accessible through the online PlayStation Store, with retail copies in stores being offered exclusively in digital formats. However, games already released or set to launch with a retail version will continue to be available on discs.
In addition to this announcement, Sony also disclosed plans to close the online stores for its older PlayStation 3 and PS Vita consoles in select markets this year, with global closures set for 2027. The company cited the incompatibility of these older devices with modern commerce systems, including updated payment processing standards.
Last week, it was revealed that the highly anticipated game “Grand Theft Auto VI” will be launched with a download code rather than a disc in physical releases. Sony, together with Philips, played a significant role in developing the compact disc format and popularizing CD-based video games in the 1990s with the original PlayStation console.
The shift to digital gaming has been evident over the years, with more people opting to buy and download games online rather than purchasing physical copies from stores like EB Games or Best Buy. According to Daniel Ahmad, a games market analyst, Sony saw 78% of its full game unit sales in the past year coming from digital sources, while Xbox’s digital sales accounted for 90% during the same period.
Despite the rise in digital sales, physical game sales remain substantial, with 70 million physical PlayStation games sold last year. Mat Piscatella, a U.S.-based games industry analyst, highlighted that sales of new physical games in the U.S. totaled $1.6 billion during the 12-month period ending in May 2025, down from $11.5 billion in 2009.
The announcement has triggered negative reactions from gamers, developers, and others in the industry, with many expressing disappointment over the decision to halt physical disc production. Some emphasized the importance of physical games for preservation, ownership, and consumer choice.
Analysts predict an all-digital future for gaming, with Sony’s move suggesting that future PlayStation consoles, including the rumored PlayStation 6, may ship without disc drives. While consumers are increasingly embracing digital content, the decision to discontinue physical discs is seen as a strategic move by Sony to reduce costs, eliminate resale markets, and drive revenue through the PlayStation Store.
Reflecting on the shift, game creator Benjamin Rivers highlighted the unique value of physical releases in boosting visibility for smaller developers and preserving the cultural and artistic significance of video games beyond digital downloads.
