Sony's PlayStation to stop releasing games on physical discs
Los Angeles, July 1
Big news for video game fans: PlayStation is reportedly planning to stop producing physical discs for new game releases starting in 2028.
The news comes on the heels of Take-Two Interactive's Rockstar Games revealing that "Grand Theft Auto 6" will not launch with a disc version, but rather the option between a digital copy and a "code in a box" as the "physical" offering, as per Variety.
"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," PlayStation's senior director of content communications, Sid Shuman, said in an announcement published on the official PlayStation blog Wednesday. "Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only."
Sony clarified that this change will not affect any games already released, nor those scheduled to launch on physical discs before January 2028. That means upcoming titles such as Marvel's Wolverine, expected this fall, will still receive full disc releases, giving players time to continue enjoying physical editions before the industry shift takes effect.
Shuman cited this move to cease disc production as "a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Makes sense for the US market where internet is fast and reliable, but for developing countries like India, this is a huge blow. Many of us still depend on physical discs because data caps are real and internet speeds vary wildly. Sony should have kept both options alive.
Honestly, I'm not surprised. PC gaming moved to digital years ago, so consoles were bound to follow. But the "code in a box" option for GTA 6 sounds so anticlimactic! 😂 Might as well just go fully digital. At least we don't have to worry about scratched discs anymore.
This is bad news for the resale market in India. Many of us buy used games or lend them to friends to save money. With digital-only, you lose that flexibility completely. And what about game preservation? When servers go down, your entire library is gone. This move prioritises profits over consumer rights.
Finally no more swapping discs! 🙌 My younger brother always loses them anyway. Digital is just more convenient, especially in cities with good internet. Let's be real – how many of you actually still buy physical games? I've been all digital since PS4 and never looked back.
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