PlayStation has announced it will stop releasing new games on physical discs from January 2028, marking a significant shift in the gaming industry's distribution model. While future games will still be available for purchase in shops, they will exclusively contain a digital code for download rather than a traditional disc.
This strategic move by Sony Interactive Entertainment follows a growing trend within the entertainment sector, where digital consumption has steadily overtaken physical media. The company stated that the decision reflects evolving consumer preferences, with digital media now significantly more popular than physical discs. This announcement comes shortly after Rockstar, another major game developer, revealed its highly anticipated title, Grand Theft Auto VI, would also launch without a physical disc.
However, the transition has not been universally welcomed. Gaming journalist Vikki Blake described the move as a "body blow to consumer rights," highlighting concerns about game conservation and the potential impact on gamers with limited disposable income who rely on reselling or loaning games to manage the high cost of new titles. Independent retailers have also voiced strong opposition, with Lootbox Gaming calling it an "attack on not only gamers and collectors, but also developers, publishers, distributors and retailers around the globe."
Christopher Dring, editor of The Game Business, acknowledged that while digital downloads are already the dominant method for PlayStation game purchases, millions of physical games are still sold annually, making this a substantial change for the retail sector and players who prefer physical ownership. The BBC has sought clarity from Sony regarding the future possibility of transferring ownership of digital games, a common practice with physical copies, but the company has yet to comment.
This development also follows previous criticism directed at Sony for removing over 500 films and TV shows from users' PlayStation Store collections without compensation, citing the end of a licensing arrangement with StudioCanal. These titles are set to disappear from collections on 1 September 2026. The shift to a fully digital model for games raises further questions about long-term ownership and access to purchased content.