Sony will stop producing physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting in January 2028, a move that will lock out players in 122 countries where the PlayStation Store does not officially operate. The company says it is following a player preference for digital that significantly outpaces physical discs, with U.S. spending on new physical games dropping to about $1.5 billion in 2025 from $11.6 billion in 2008. After the cutoff, every new PlayStation game will be available only as a download, eliminating trade-in value and leaving disc-based games as the only way to play new titles in unsupported regions. Sony has told publishers they can keep ordering discs for games released before January 2028, so older titles will remain in print as long as it is worthwhile. The change also affects players in supported countries by removing the resale value of new games, which currently can offset purchase costs through trade-ins.
Sony Group CorporationSony's decision to end physical discs for new PlayStation games will reduce sales in 122 countries without PlayStation Store access and eliminate trade-in value, likely lowering game sales and console appeal.