Overview
- Sony announced on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 that it will end production of physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting January 2028.
- The company said games already released or scheduled for disc release before January 2028 will be unaffected and that the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita will close on a regional timetable through 2027.
- Players and preservation groups have raised concerns because digital purchases are account-tied licenses that can be revoked, which complicates long-term access and archiving of games.
- Analysts say the move cuts manufacturing and shipping costs, boosts margins for publishers and platform owners, and effectively eliminates the used-game resale market that currently supports lower-cost access.
- The decision follows publisher actions such as Rockstar shipping Grand Theft Auto VI as a download-only product with boxed codes, and analysts say it increases the likelihood future PlayStation hardware will omit disc drives.