Sony has announced it will cease production of physical discs for PlayStation games starting January 2028, moving to a fully digital distribution model. All new titles will be sold exclusively through the PlayStation Store.

Sid Shuman, senior director at Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, described the move as a response to shifting consumer preferences. “As digital media significantly outpaces physical discs, this transition aligns with how most of our community prefers to access games,” he wrote in a blog post.

The shift will cut production and distribution costs but eliminates the ability to swap games with friends, sell used copies, or buy second-hand. This is likely to impact younger gamers with limited budgets the most.

The announcement follows news that the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI will also be digital-only. Sony assured that games released before 2028 will not be affected.

While digital games offer convenience and eliminate risks of damage or loss, the end of physical discs marks the demise of the second-hand market, a significant change for the gaming community.

Source: www.dw.com