Sony is phasing out physical PlayStation game discs permanently.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed plans to cease the production of physical game discs for PlayStation, citing a shift in consumer preferences and the entertainment landscape moving towards digital formats. The company intends to stop manufacturing physical discs for PlayStation games by January 2028.

From that point onward, new PlayStation titles will only be available digitally through the PlayStation Store and select retailers.

“This is a natural evolution for Sony Interactive Entertainment as we adapt to consumer trends, with digital media increasingly preferred over physical discs,” stated Sid Shuman, senior director of content communications, on the PlayStation Blog. “This transition allows us to better align with how the majority of our community chooses to access and enjoy games today.”

In 2024, physical software sales represented a mere 3% of PlayStation’s total sales, according to Sony’s 2025 corporate report.

This announcement comes shortly after Rockstar Games stirred controversy by deciding to release Grand Theft Auto 6 exclusively through digital platforms. The physical edition of GTA 6 will include a download code in a box, leaving it uncertain whether Sony will completely eliminate physical retail or, similar to Rockstar, continue offering game boxes with download codes.

Analysts indicate that full-game digital sales now make up 80% of PlayStation software sales and 90% on Xbox. With recent price increases for gaming consoles, digital-only models are becoming more appealing to budget-conscious gamers. A PlayStation 5 with a disc drive starts at $649.99, while Microsoft’s Xbox will soon retail for $799.99 for the version with an optical disc drive.

The move to end physical discs aligns with the growing trend of digital sales, coinciding with the decline of dedicated gaming retailers like GameStop, which has reportedly closed over 1,300 locations in the last two fiscal years. Capcom’s latest earnings report noted that digital sales now account for 93% of all game sales, with expectations to rise to 94.5% this year.

The news of the end of physical PlayStation game production in just 18 months will undoubtedly be disappointing for collectors and preservationists.

Additionally, Sony’s announcement regarding the discontinuation of physical games coincides with the news that the PlayStation Store will no longer support PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita.

I guess it doesn’t fit on one Blu-ray, or even two.