TOKYO, JULY 2 — Sony will stop producing new games for its PlayStation console in physical disc form from 2028, in line with the company’s efforts to accelerate the transition to digital distribution, the German News Agency (dpa) reported.
Sony said that starting in 2028, all new PlayStation game titles will only be offered in digital format.
The company said consumer demand for digital purchases is increasing, with approximately 80 percent of PlayStation 5 games now purchased digitally.
However, some players still prefer physical discs because they can be resold or used as collectibles.
Sony said games published before 2028 as well as existing titles will continue to be offered in their current format.
The move reflects an industry trend that is increasingly shifting from physical media to digital distribution.
For example, the highly anticipated “Grand Theft Auto” game will also only be released in digital format.
In fact, the editions sold on the market only contain download codes instead of game discs.
Sony also announced that the download stores for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita will be closed by the middle of next year.
The decision also shows that digital games can become unavailable when publishers or platform operators terminate online services.
Meanwhile, rival Nintendo is taking a hybrid approach to some titles for its Switch 2 console.
For certain games, the cartridges sold do not contain the game itself, but instead only contain a digital license key that allows users to download the game.
Unlike fully digital purchases, games acquired through the system can still be transferred to other users.
— BERNAMA-dpa
