Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, has announced on the PlayStation Blog that the format holder is stopping production of physical game discs for all new titles released on PlayStation hardware in January 2028.
As a result, new games will only be available on the PlayStation Store or at retailers in digital formats, but will have no impact on titles already released or launching prior to January 2028 on disc.
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. This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.
Digital game purchases have skyrocketed in recent years, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic where people were in lockdown. As such, physical media has been on the decline ever since, and some games aren’t even available on disc until after a digital version has been out for a while. Notably, Grand Theft Auto VI is launching as a digital-only title.
With rumours swirling about the PS6 launching in late 2027, and the confirmation now that Sony is ceasing production of disc games in January 2028, we can safely assume that the new system won’t have a disc drive built in.
[Source – PlayStation Blog]