Analysts Predict PlayStation 6 and Project Helix Will Likely Be Digital-Only and Arrive in 2028

With the announcement that Sony will cease production of all physical discs for PlayStation games by 2028, analysts are speculating that both the PS6 and Xbox’s Project Helix may be designed as digital-only consoles, set to launch in the same year.

This perspective comes from various analysts reacting to the news. Mat Piscatella, a senior director at Circana, stated that it’s now reasonable to conclude that both the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix will not support physical media. He also pointed out that Nintendo plans to continue producing physical cartridges for the Switch, at least until the end of the Switch 2’s lifecycle.

“Physical media in video games will only last as long as console manufacturers permit it, and we’re now one step closer to its demise. It’s a somber moment for the gaming community,” Piscatella remarked.

Dr. Serkan Toto from Kantan Games echoed Piscatella’s sentiments, agreeing that while Nintendo will maintain physical releases for a while longer, Xbox is likely to follow PlayStation’s lead in moving away from discs. “Would anyone be surprised if Xbox mirrored PlayStation’s approach with their next hardware?” he questioned.

In a follow-up, Daniel Ahmad, director of research and insights at Niko Partners, added, “This decision ensures that the PlayStation 6 will launch without a disc drive, signaling Sony’s commitment to an all-digital future. Many anticipated Microsoft would make this announcement first, but Sony has taken the lead.”

In a blog post, Ampere Analytics analyst Piers Harding-Rolls also discussed the digital-only trajectory for the PS6. He noted that the standard version of the PS6 will likely not feature a physical disc drive, as Sony seeks to cut costs for its next-gen console. There’s a possibility that an external disc drive could be offered for playing older PS4 and PS5 games, but this could frustrate gamers who prefer physical collections. A system for transferring older physical media to digital licenses might help ease some of these concerns, though it could be complicated.

Harding-Rolls also highlighted that the timing of this change in January 2028 suggests the PS6 will launch that same year, predicting a release at the end of 2028. Previously, analysts had anticipated the next generation of consoles to debut between late 2027 and early 2028.

Alongside the discontinuation of physical games in 2028, Sony is also preparing to close the digital stores for the PS3 and Vita next year.