Sony to Transition to Digital-Only Releases for PlayStation Games by 2028

The era of physical game discs is coming to an end on PlayStation. Sony plans to halt the production of physical discs for all first-party and third-party PlayStation titles starting January 2028. While games released before this date will still be available in physical form, anything released afterward will be exclusively digital.

According to the company, this shift reflects a natural evolution in response to consumer preferences, as digital media continues to gain popularity over physical formats. This change aims to better align with how most players prefer to access and enjoy their games today.

Despite the trend toward digital sales, many gamers still cherish owning physical copies of their games. The discontinuation of discs doesn’t mean that Sony and other companies will stop selling game boxes in retail stores; these could simply contain download codes, similar to what’s expected with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.

It’s uncertain whether the next PlayStation console will include a disc drive, either built-in or as an optional accessory. While Sony hasn’t revealed specific features yet, there’s speculation that it will support backward compatibility with current-generation games, including their physical versions.

This decision raises concerns for collectors and advocates of game preservation, who have long pointed out the limitations of digital ownership. Digital storefronts can close, and purchases can be revoked, as seen with the recent case of Concord, which Sony pulled shortly after its release.

A Sony representative emphasized that when players buy digital content, including games, they are essentially purchasing a personal license for non-commercial use. This serves as a reminder that digital purchases don’t come with the same ownership rights as physical copies. Just last week, Sony removed hundreds of movies from users’ libraries, despite them having been purchased.

For game developers, the benefits of this transition are clear. Producing physical games incurs additional costs, and these games can be resold or traded at retailers like GameStop. By focusing solely on digital versions, the second-hand market for games, which has flourished for years, would effectively be eliminated.

Many companies have already been gradually moving away from physical formats. Microsoft has been including codes in boxes for certain titles for years, or releasing discs that require a full digital download. The launch of the Switch 2 introduced game key cards, which function as enhanced download codes.

Unlike single-use codes, game key cards can still be shared and traded. However, it appears that Sony is not considering any similar alternatives for physical media with the upcoming PS6.