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PlayStation to axe physical discs and go fully digital, in huge blow to physical games media
"Consumer preference"? Yeah, right.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images
- Alex Raisbeck
Published: Wednesday, 1 July 2026 at 4:13 pm
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Sony has confirmed that it is bringing an end to physical disc production for future PlayStation releases.
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Physical discs have been a mainstay of PlayStation consoles since the original first launched more than 30 years ago.
But following what Sony describes as "shifting trends in consumer preference," it has been confirmed that, starting from January 2028, physical disc production will be halted for all new games.
It's important to note that, at the moment, all physical PS5 discs must be manufactured by Sony, including third party titles, meaning this change is not solely limited to PlayStation exclusives.
This also only affects games released in or after January 2028, meaning all games released before then will still be able to receive a physical PlayStation release.
In a post to the official PlayStation Blog, Sony noted that, "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 allow us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."
For many, this decision has only been a matter of waiting to see which console pulled the trigger first, and with the PS5 already foregoing the disc drive on its digital-only consoles, it's perhaps unsurprising that Sony was the first to do so.
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While the statement from Sony certainly suggests that this decision was taken in response to consumers shifting towards digital over physical media, the more cynical among us – i.e. me – would suggest that players have been somewhat forced into this.
Beyond the aforementioned digital-only consoles, which are sold much cheaper than those with a disc drive, it is now fairly commonplace for physical copies of games to come with a download code inside, rather than a disc, leaving no option at all for physical media lovers.
GTA 6 has been perhaps the most high-profile example of this, with the game set to launch with download codes for all physical copies.
While PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo have all denied such reasoning, many gamers hold the view that these steps are being taken, not to align with their perceived preferences, but to prevent the reselling of second-hand copies, thereby forcing players to purchase directly from these companies.
Such discussions have been at the centre of questions of ownership in gaming, with many digital games technically being leased to players who purchase them and could even be revoked at any time.
Considering the PS6 is on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if Sony's next console launches with a disc drive at all, or if the PS5 will be the end of the line.
Similarly, with PlayStation now having bitten the bullet, it seems to be only a matter of time before Microsoft confirms a similar move with regard to their upcoming console, Project Helix.
Regardless of how Sony chooses to handle this phasing out of discs, it's sad to see another nail in the coffin of physical media in gaming.
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Authors
Alex RaisbeckGaming writer
Alex Raisbeck is a Gaming Writer at Radio Times, covering everything from AAA giants to indie gems. Alex has written for VideoGamer, GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, PCGamesN and more.
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