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PlayStation to End Physical Game Disc Production in January 2028

Sony says rising consumer demand for digital downloads will make all new PlayStation releases available only as downloads or retail digital codes.

Overview

  • Sony announced on Wednesday that it will stop producing physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting in January 2028, with titles released before that date unchanged.
  • After the cutoff, new games will be sold through the PlayStation Store or at retailers as digital downloads or redeemable codes rather than on discs.
  • The company also confirmed phased closures of the PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita that will remove the ability to buy new digital content on those legacy systems.
  • The move prompted immediate pushback from collectors, preservationists and some retailers who warn it ends resale and lending markets, while analysts say Sony will cut manufacturing costs and boost platform margins.
  • The decision builds on a long shift to downloads — Sony reports roughly 80–85% of full-game sales are digital — and follows publisher moves such as Rockstar offering GTA VI only via download codes, raising questions about disc drives on future consoles.