Sony to End Physical PlayStation Disc Production by 2028

On July 1, 2026, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced it will cease production of physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting in January 2028. New titles will be available exclusively via the PlayStation Store or as digital download codes at retail. Sony justified the move as a natural adaptation to consumer trends, noting that digital purchases accounted for approximately 80% of full-game sales in fiscal year 2025. The company also announced the closure of the PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita, with global shutdowns occurring by July 2027.

The decision triggered widespread backlash from consumers and industry figures. A "Don't Kill the Disc" petition led by PNP Games garnered over 247,000 signatures, while others cancelled PlayStation Plus subscriptions in protest. Critics warned that the shift erodes true ownership, eliminates the secondhand market, and threatens game preservation. These concerns were intensified by Sony's simultaneous removal of over 550 purchased StudioCanal movies from user libraries due to expired licenses.

Analysts suggest this strategy signals that the PlayStation 6 will likely launch in late 2028 as a digital-only device to reduce manufacturing costs. While Sony clarified that re-orders for games released before 2028 will remain possible, it has already begun repurposing its Salzburg, Austria, disc plant to produce optical microlenses. Despite the outcry, Sony's stock rose following the announcement, reflecting the higher profit margins associated with digital sales.