Sony to cease physical PlayStation game discs by 2028

Beginning in January 2028, Sony will discontinue the production of physical discs for all new PlayStation games, transitioning entirely to digital sales through the PlayStation Store and other digital retailers. Titles released before this date will remain available in disc format.

The company stated that this change aligns with current consumer preferences, as digital purchases have become the dominant method for acquiring games. Sony Interactive Entertainment noted, “This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs. This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.”

Financial data from Sony’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 reveals that digital downloads represented 85% of full-game software sales on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with physical copies making up the remaining 15%.

The reduction in physical game sales has also impacted retail outlets, with stores heavily dependent on disc sales continuing to close. GameStop, for example, has shuttered over 1,300 locations in the last two fiscal years.

The announcement follows recent backlash from Grand Theft Auto 6 fans who expressed dissatisfaction upon learning that the game’s so-called “physical” edition would only include a download code rather than a physical disc, underscoring that some gamers still value owning physical editions.

In addition, Sony disclosed plans to shut down the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 3 in select markets later this year, with a global closure of the PS3 and PlayStation Vita stores scheduled for next year. After these closures, players will no longer be able to purchase new digital content on these platforms, although previously acquired games and content will remain available for download for the foreseeable future.