Sony has announced that it will stop making physical disc versions of new PlayStation games starting January 2028. Instead, all new PlayStation games will only be available digitally through the PlayStation Store or as PlayStation Store digital codes sold by retailers.
The change only affects new games released after January 2028. Existing titles and games launching before that date will still be available on physical discs.
Sony says the decision is based on changing consumer habits, as most PlayStation users now prefer buying games digitally.
For many gamers, physical discs have always been one of the biggest advantages of consoles. They can be shared with friends, sold as used copies, or bought at discounted prices from retailers. Once a physical copy is sold, however, Sony and game publishers no longer earn money from future resales.
Physical copies also give players true ownership. As long as they have a working console and the game disc, they can continue playing even if a game is removed from an online store or a service shuts down.
Over the years, publishers have slowly moved away from physical media by releasing digital-only games or shipping discs that still require large online downloads. This has raised concerns among gamers about preserving physical game ownership.
At the same time, Sony also announced that it will stop allowing new purchases on the PlayStation Store for the PS3 and PS Vita later this year. Players will still be able to download games they already own, but only for the “foreseeable future.” Sony did not say how long that support will last, highlighting one of the biggest concerns with digital purchases you never fully control access to them.
While digital gaming has become the preferred choice for many players, especially on PC, removing physical discs also gives platform owners more control over game pricing since players can no longer rely on used copies or retail discounts.
Sony is the first major console maker to announce a complete end to physical game production, but if current trends continue, future consoles from Microsoft and Nintendo could eventually follow the same path.