Sony to discontinue bodily discs for brand spanking new video games launching on PS consoles from January 2028

Sony will discontinue bodily disc manufacturing for brand spanking new video games releasing on PlayStation consoles beginning January 2028.

The firm said the decision is “in response to shifting trends in consumer preference and the broader entertainment industry” because it transitions from bodily to digital codecs.

Starting January 2028, video games will likely be accessible solely in digital format by way of the PlayStation Store and different retailers. This change doesn’t have an effect on titles launched or launching on disc earlier than that date.

“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,” it stated.

“This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.”

As reported by Game File, Sony recorded that “nearly four in five purchases of full games” on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 have been digital over the previous monetary 12 months.

“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 the PlayStation Store.”

A Sony spokesperson later clarified to Game File that it’s “committed to delivering experiences from past generations to new platforms our players are using,” referring to the potential for video games to be misplaced as customers purchase entry to a recreation moderately than the total title on a bodily disc.

“[As with] all digital content, including games, movies, and music, players are purchasing a personal license for non-commercial use,” the spokesperson stated.

Ampere Analysis senior video games analysis analyst Piers Harding-Rolls instructed Game File that Sony’s resolution will “offset strain on margins from different instructions – improvement and staffing prices, for instance.

“The advantage of everything going digital for the industry is that sales can be tracked much more easily and there is less commercial risk for publishers wanting to continue selling via retail.”

Both PlayStation and Xbox have launched digital-only variations of their consoles to cut back prices. Last 12 months, Nintendo launched Game-Key Cards, bodily download-only copies of choose titles.

Rockstar additionally introduced that Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch as a download-only title this November.

Last week, Circana knowledge confirmed that the launch of the Switch 2 final 12 months contributed to a year-on-year improve in US bodily recreation spending for the primary time since 2009.

However, it was a small improve of three%, which Circana’s senior director Mat Piscatella described as a “temporary blip” in boxed gross sales.

“All other ecosystems are continuing to drop by double-digit percentages,” Piscatella instructed GamesIndustry.biz.

“At some point, this will all bottom out – perhaps we’re getting there now – until the console manufacturers decide to no longer produce units with physical drives.”