Key facts
- Sony will cease new PlayStation game disc releases in January 2028.
- New games will be exclusively digital downloads or via codes from retailers.
- The change reflects a significant industry shift towards digital media consumption.
- Previously purchased digital content will remain accessible.
- The PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita in the US will close in July 2027.
Sony announced on Wednesday that it will stop releasing new video games for its PlayStation console on physical discs beginning in January 2028. This strategic shift is driven by evolving consumer preferences and industry trends that increasingly favor digital distribution over physical media. Following this date, new games will be available exclusively through the PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only, meaning gamers will need to download titles directly or obtain a download code.
The announcement comes amid anticipation for the upcoming exclusively digital release of Grand Theft Auto VI, which has raised concerns among some gamers about the elimination of a secondhand market. Sony clarified that this transition will not affect games already released or scheduled for release before the January 2028 deadline. The company noted that the move is a natural adaptation to consumer trends, as digital media preference significantly outpaces physical discs.
According to Piers Harding-Rolls at Ampere Analysis, the purchasing trends of gamers are clear, with digital game sales rising from 13% in 2013 to nearly 80% in 2025. Despite this trend, some gamers have expressed concerns about choice, the ability to access older physical games on new consoles, collecting physical games, and long-term game preservation. Harding-Rolls also noted that the shift to digital will negatively impact specialist games retailers and the secondhand market.
This decision has renewed speculation that the next-generation PlayStation 6 console will be digital-only. In related news, Sony also announced the closure of the PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita in the US in July 2027. While the company stated that customers will be able to download previously purchased content for the foreseeable future, it did not commit to lifetime availability.