Sony to stop making PlayStation game discs from 2028

Sony has announced it will stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs from January 2028, marking the end of an era as the gaming giant completes its shift to digital downloads.

The company said all new first-party PlayStation titles released from January 2028 will be available exclusively through digital storefronts.

According to The Guardian, Games already released, or scheduled to launch on disc before the deadline, will not be affected.

"We'll continue to prioritise our resources to drive innovation in how players can access games and provide choices as to where players prefer to purchase new games, whether that's at retailers or PlayStation Store," Sony said.

The decision comes as digital gaming continues to dominate the industry.

Around 80 per cent of Sony's full-game software sales during the 2025 financial year were made through digital downloads, reflecting a steady decline in demand for physical copies.

The move is expected to reduce manufacturing and distribution costs, but it has sparked concerns among gamers who prefer collecting physical editions, trading games, or buying cheaper second-hand copies.

"Stripping discs improves margins but will likely require greater storage capacity, which is also increasingly expensive," said Joost van Dreunen, a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business.

Sony also confirmed it will begin shutting down the PlayStation Store for legacy PS3 and PS Vita consoles, starting in selected markets later this year before expanding globally in 2027.

Players will still be able to re-download games they already own, but they will no longer be able to purchase new games or add-on content once the stores close.