Sony Announces It Will Stop Distributing New Games on Discs Starting January 2028

Last week, pre-orders for GTA VI opened alongside the announcement that the physical version of the game would not include a disc, but rather a download code in the box. Many players were outraged by this decision from Rockstar, which sets a precedent for AAA game distribution. Sony announced today that in a year and a half, starting January 2028, it too will stop manufacturing and distributing new games on physical discs, making them available in digital format only.

PlayStation issued the following statement: "As part of the ongoing shift in consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry, which increasingly favors digital content over physical media, production of physical game copies (discs) will cease starting January 2028 for all new games launching on PlayStation consoles. After this date, all new games will be available for purchase in digital format only – both through PlayStation Store and at retailers. This change has no impact on games already released or on games expected to launch in disc format before January 2028. This is a natural step for Sony Interactive Entertainment, reflecting market trends and consumers' clear preference for digital media over physical discs. The transition will allow us to align our operations with how the majority of our player community now chooses to purchase and play games. We will continue to invest our resources in advancing innovation in game access and providing players with choices regarding where they prefer to purchase new games – whether at retailers or through PlayStation Store. We remain committed to continuing to provide our player community with the highest quality gaming experience and thank you for your ongoing support."

The cessation of production and distribution of games on discs is an earthquake that primarily affects the second-hand games market, alongside weaker markets where internet speeds are slow, leading to game downloads that take hours or even more than a day in some cases. This announcement is also likely a sign of the future with the PlayStation 6, which will most likely be digital-only without a disc drive, and it's possible the console's launch date may be close to when production stops, though at this stage this is only speculation without any official confirmation from Sony.