Physical PlayStation Games To Be Discontinued

[Moonface]

Sony has shared via the PlayStation Blog that "in response to shifting trends in consumer preference, new games will be released on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only" starting in January 2028.

As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028.  Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format. 

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. 

We’ll continue to prioritize 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. We remain committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience to our fans and we thank you for your continued support.

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As someone who prefers physical games, this is a shit move. I also bet Sony doesn't remotely adjust their game prices despite not having to spend money on printing and shipping discs once this change takes effect.

[Dragon Lord]

You can read my rage about this in the other topic, so I'll keep it short here: PlayStation needs to die.

[Moonface]

Oof, so I just saw a comment that said maybe this isn't just for first party titles, but that it might be for every PlayStation game. I thought it was going to be that Sony just doesn't want to do physical games but third parties have their own choice on the matter, but I guess Sony has full say over disc production for any games coming to their console? That seems incredibly over the top if so. I know that if Sony had only a digital console then sure, no third party has a choice of making a disc but while disc drives are still a thing for PlayStation consoles it should be up to publishers. Like, if literally nobody can make PlayStation discs that even includes companies like Limited Run Games whose whole thing is doing limited runs of physical game copies that didn't get them.

[Dragon Lord]

Yes. It's just like when they ended production of Vita carts and that killed the ability for all publishers to make Vita games. PlayStation keeps full control over the ability to produce game discs on their systems and once they end production, it ends for everyone.

Unless a company can find a way to bypass this limit, then not even third parties will be able to make physical games. Companies like Limited Run Games, Video Games Plus and many other small companies that have produced physical versions of games that would have otherwise remained digital only are now going to lose a huge chunk of their businesses.

[Moonface]

I could understand it for things like the Vita because it used a format exclusive to it, but unless Sony is planning to stop producing Blu-Ray discs (which are used for more than just their games) then can't third parties just continue making physical copies of their games like they already do? Surely Sony doesn't have total control of even pressing game data to discs?

[Metallix]

I don't have much hope for PS6. If there's no disk option I won't get it and it will probably be $800-950.

Been a HUGE PS fan, owning all of their hardware since PS1.

[Moonface]

I don't have much hope for PS6. If there's no disk option I won't get it and it will probably be $800-950.

Even if it does have a disc option, it won't serve much use when no PS6 games will be on a disc.


One thing that really irks me about this is PS5 models with a disc drive cost more than their digital only counterparts, and anyone who spent that extra money did so because they wanted physical options, yet come 2028 that preference is being kicked to the curb. This move should have been implemented for the PS6 onwards, and not during the active lifespan of a console that not only offered a disc drive option but also charged more money for that option.

[Mr EliteL]

Yeah I'm not fond of losing physical, terrible decision. Pretty much messing with all us older players who bought physical copies, younger players less likely to mind, I suppose some would have adopted preference for physical like us that would mind too.