Sony’s announcement that it will stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games from January 2028 has raised many questions among players. Here are the key points.
What exactly is changing?
From 1 January 2028, new PlayStation games will be released only in digital form, through the PlayStation Store and digital codes sold by retailers. Sony’s head of content communications, Sid Shuman, described the decision as a natural evolution, reflecting the fact that most players now buy their games digitally.
Will my existing discs stop working?
No. Games already released on disc will continue to work on consoles with a disc drive, and games released on disc before the cut-off date will continue to be available physically.
Can I still buy and sell second-hand games?
Yes, for existing disc games. The second-hand market for titles released before 2028 will continue. What disappears is the possibility of buying, selling or lending physical copies of new releases.
What about the next PlayStation?
Sony has not given details of its next console. With new games no longer available on disc, many expect it to be sold without a built-in drive, or with an optional external one for players who want to use their existing collections.
What do players lose?
- Resale value: physical games can be resold; digital purchases generally cannot.
- Sharing: lending a disc to a friend is easy; sharing digital games is restricted.
- Ownership: digital games depend on your account and the store’s licence terms.
- Collecting: for many players, a shelf of games is part of the hobby.
What do players gain?
- Instant purchases and downloads.
- No discs to damage or lose.
- Frequent digital sales.
- Less packaging and plastic.
Tips for the transition
- Keep a console with a disc drive if you have a large disc collection.
- Watch your storage: digital games are large, so an extra SSD may be needed.
- Back up your account security: use two-factor authentication, as your library depends on your account.
- Think about connection speed: downloads of 100 GB or more can take hours on slower connections, something to bear in mind in more rural parts of the islands.
For independent game shops, the change will mean shifting further towards retro games, collectables and accessories.
