Overview
- Sony announced in July 2026 that it will stop making new PlayStation game discs from January 2028 and will shift new releases toward digital downloads and boxed download codes.
- Leads at indie studio Sandfall Interactive called the decision “super sad,” saying physical copies and store shelves give games a tangible identity that matters to both creators and players.
- Sandfall’s team said they pushed to produce a boxed edition of Clair Obscur despite higher production complexity and lower profit per unit because they wanted players to hold a physical option.
- The announcement has prompted large petitions, legal and regulatory complaints in multiple countries, and industry moves such as repurposing disc plants as publishers and retailers adjust.
- Preservation and resale advocates warn the change could make long-term access to games harder, while Sony and analysts point to rising digital sales and higher margins on store purchases as the business rationale.