Sony has announced that all new PlayStation games released from January 2028 will no longer come on physical discs, marking one of the biggest changes in the gaming industry’s history as digital distribution becomes the company’s primary sales model.
Instead, gamers will buy new titles through the PlayStation Store or from retail stores that sell digital download codes. Sony confirmed the change in an official announcement, saying it reflects the way most customers now purchase and play games.
The company said games already released, or scheduled to launch before January 2028, will continue to receive physical disc editions.
Sony explained the decision by saying, “As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital.” It added, “This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs.”
Digital future sparks concern among gamers
The announcement comes only days after Rockstar Games confirmed that the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI will also launch without a traditional game disc, adding further momentum to the industry’s shift toward digital releases.
However, many players and gaming experts have criticized Sony’s decision. They argue that digital only games remove important consumer rights such as lending, reselling or trading purchased titles.
Gaming journalist Vikki Blake described the move as a “body blow to consumer rights.”
“It’s of huge concern for game conservation and a massive problem for gamers with lower disposable incomes who rely on part-exchanging or loaning games from friends to keep up with the AAA price tags,” she said.
She also recalled Sony’s famous PlayStation 4 advertisement that promoted physical game sharing.
“Just one console cycle ago, Sony made a tongue-in-cheek advert about how easy it is to share games on PS4 as a dig at competitor, Xbox. It’s not funny anymore, is it?”
Christopher Dring, editor of The Game Business, also expressed surprise.
“We still see millions and millions of PlayStation games sold as physical goods,” he said.
“It’s a significant business and there are lots of players that prefer to buy this way. It’s tough news for retail.”
Retailers question ownership of digital games
Independent retailer Lootbox Gaming also criticized the decision. The company called it “an attack on not only gamers and collectors, but also developers, publishers, distributors and retailers around the globe.”
A spokesperson added, “Essentially, this is an attack on anyone who cares about video games or cares about the right to own your purchases.”
Sony also faces criticism over digital ownership after confirming that more than 500 films and television shows purchased through the PlayStation Store will disappear from users’ libraries following the end of its licensing agreement with StudioCanal. The company said affected content will become unavailable from September 1.
The company has not responded to questions about whether it plans to introduce a system that would allow players to transfer ownership of digital games in the future. Meanwhile, Sony reported that digital downloads already accounted for about 80 percent of its full game software sales during fiscal 2025, highlighting how rapidly consumer buying habits continue to evolve.
