Sony Ends Physical PlayStation Game Discs, Moves Fully to Digital by 2028

Sony announced it will stop producing physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting January 2028, completing its transition to digital-only distribution. This decision follows digital downloads accounting for approximately 80% of Sony's software sales in fiscal year 2025. The company stated that consumer preferences have shifted significantly toward digital media, and the move aligns with how most players prefer to access and play games today.

From January 2028 onward, all new PlayStation game releases will be available exclusively in digital formats, though this change will not affect games released before that date. The shift to digital is also reflected in the retail sector, with GameStop closing over 1,300 physical stores in the past two years due to declining disc sales. Microsoft’s Xbox is similarly enhancing its digital offerings, reportedly testing a feature to convert physical game collections into digital libraries.

Rockstar Games recently launched Grand Theft Auto 6 solely as a digital edition, with physical disc packages containing only a download code. Industry expert Joost van Dreunen from NYU’s Stern School of Business noted that while eliminating discs improves profit margins, it also requires increased and more costly storage capacity.

Separately, Sony revealed plans to begin shutting down the PlayStation Store on older PS3 and PS Vita consoles, starting in select markets and expanding worldwide by 2027. The company cited the consoles’ age, around 20 years, and their inability to support modern secure payment systems as reasons for this closure.