Sony to End PlayStation Physical Disc Production by 2028

Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease the production and sale of physical game discs for all new PlayStation releases starting in January 2028. During a Q1 FY 2026 earnings call on July 31, Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao confirmed the company will proceed with the transition, noting that digital shares of full game purchases reached nearly 80% by 2025.

Tao attributed the decision to the broad progression of digitalization across all media types and asserted that the company does not expect the shift to negatively impact business. Sony has already begun repurposing its disc-manufacturing headquarters to produce optical microlenses. To maintain retail relationships, the company noted that publishers may still ship retail boxes containing digital download codes.

The announcement triggered significant backlash from collectors, preservationists, and industry experts. Some gaming groups organized a weeklong blackout of PlayStation content starting August 23. Opponents argue the shift undermines the resale market and long-term game preservation. Despite these protests and criticism from some publishers, Sony maintains that the move reflects consumer preferences and the financial reality that digital revenue now far outweighs the approximately $781 million earned from physical games in the 2025 fiscal year.