Sony to end new PlayStation game discs in 2028
Sony says PlayStation games released from January 2028 will be digital only or sold as download codes in boxes.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Sony will stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games from January 2028, the company said in a PlayStation Blog announcement. The change will push new releases toward downloads, narrowing options for players who still buy, lend or resell disc-based games.
Under Sony’s plan, PlayStation games released after the cutoff will be sold either as digital editions or as boxed copies that contain a download code, according to the company. Sony said games that come out before January 2028 will continue to be available on disc.
Sony Interactive Entertainment described the move as a response to how its customers now buy and play games. In its announcement, Sony said digital media has become the stronger consumer preference compared with physical discs, and said the transition would bring the company closer to how most of its community accesses games.
What will change
The policy applies to new PlayStation releases after January 2028, according to Sony. A boxed product may still exist, but for new games it can contain a code rather than a disc, meaning the player would need to redeem and download the game instead of installing or playing from physical media.
Existing disc releases are not being removed under the plan Sony described. Games launched before the January 2028 date will remain available in disc form, Sony said, though the company did not provide further detail in the announcement about how long those discs will stay in retail channels.
The Verge noted that Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro already ships without a built-in disc drive. That hardware choice fits a broader shift toward digital access, though Sony’s announcement is the clearest timetable yet for ending disc production for new PlayStation games.
Why players may object
The move follows a recent report by The Verge that the physical edition of Grand Theft Auto VI will come as a download code in a box. The Verge reported that decision drew a quick backlash from fans.
Digital games can offer convenience, including purchases without a trip to a store and access without swapping discs. The Verge noted that the trade-offs are significant for buyers who value ownership features tied to physical copies.
Without a disc, players lose the ability to resell a copy in the same way, and sharing becomes harder, The Verge reported. Players also depend more on continued access to console servers and the accounts tied to their purchases.
Sony did not frame the change as an immediate end to all PlayStation discs. The company’s announcement sets a future cutoff for new releases, while leaving earlier disc-based games available after January 2028.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.