PlayStation confirms end of physical discs for new games
Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed that physical game disc production for new PlayStation releases will end in January 2028.
Starting from that date, new games released on PlayStation consoles will be available through PlayStation Store and retailers in digital formats only. Sony says the change follows consumer preference and the broader shift from physical discs to digital purchases.
Digital-only at stores too
This is not limited to PlayStation Store. Sony specifically says retailers will continue to sell new PlayStation games, but only in digital formats. The company did not explain how those retail sales will work. This may include download cards, codes in boxes, or other digital purchase methods, but Sony has not provided those details yet.
Sony says the move will not affect games that have already launched on disc. It also does not affect games scheduled to release in disc format before January 2028.
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. Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format.
— Sid Shuman, Senior Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications
This means the current PlayStation 5 disc drive and the detachable PS5 disc drive are not becoming useless overnight. They will still work with existing disc-based games. The change only applies to new PlayStation releases after the January 2028 cutoff.
GTA 6 without a disc
The timing is also important because this follows recent reports on GTA 6 physical media confusion . A code-in-box release still keeps retail involved, but it removes the disc from the package. Sony is now confirming that this will become the standard direction for all new PlayStation games from 2028.
“Physical” GTA 6 game for PlayStation 5 has no disc in the box
Sony also announced separate PlayStation Store changes for older platforms today. The company says PS3 Store closures will begin in select markets in August 2026, while PS3 and PS Vita stores will close in all other countries in July 2027. Previously purchased content will remain downloadable “for the foreseeable future.”
Source: SONY
