Sony has announced that it will stop producing physical discs for all new PlayStation games from January 2028. This move into an all-digital era reflects the changing preferences of gamers and aligns with the majority's purchase habits.

The decision comes as digital downloads now account for over 85% of full-game software sales on PS4 and PS5, while physical copies make up the remainder. The decline in physical games is mirrored by the shrinking retail landscape—GameStop has closed more than 1,300 stores over the past two years.

Despite this shift, some fans have expressed disappointment, with Grand Theft Auto 6’s “physical” edition including only a download code, rather than an actual disc. This underscores that for a niche group, the tangible experience of owning a physical game remains valuable.

Sony’s announcement also includes the shutdown of the PlayStation Store on PS3 in select markets this year and global closures next year, meaning players will no longer be able to purchase new digital content for these systems. However, previously purchased games and content will remain available for download.