Popular video game publisher Sony PlayStation has announced it will end production of physical game discs in January 2028. This comes amid technological shifts and users’ behavioural patterns.
According to a press release by Sony PlayStation on Wednesday, the transition will enable the company to align more closely with how most of its community prefers to access and play games nowadays.
The company mentioned that “consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital,” adding that “physical game disc production for all new games released on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028.”
After the date, the company will introduce new games on the PlayStation Store and make them available at retailers in digital formats only. According to the company, the transition is expected to have no impact on games that have already been released or will be released before January 2028 in disc format.
“This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today,” it added.
Sony reiterated its commitment to prioritizing investment in new ways for players to access games. The company said players will continue to have multiple purchasing options through the PlayStation Store and participating retailers.
“We remain committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience to our fans, and we thank you for your continued support,” it noted.
The development marks the end of an era for long-known video game discs, which were mostly popularized by PlayStation.
Although it wasn’t the very first gaming platform to use a video disc, the PlayStation’s instant success in 1994 turned the disc into a widely accepted choice for video games. The drive led to a battle for gamers with Microsoft’s Xbox. Meanwhile, Nintendo stuck with cartridges.
The PlayStation transition news comes a few days after Rockstar Games announced that its upcoming title Grand Theft Auto VI will be digital only, sparking anger from dedicated fans as the game is tagged the most-anticipated in years.
In April, Sony raised the price of its PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, and PlayStation 5 Pro consoles, as well as its PlayStation Portal peripheral, after citing continued pressures in the global economic landscape.
Also in selected regions, the company increased the monthly subscription price of its PlayStation Plus online gaming subscription service for new customers on May 18.
