Bad news for fans of physical media: Sony has announced that it is abandoning game discs. From January 2028, 'physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued,' according to a statement by Sid Shuman, senior director of global content communications at PlayStation.

The move is driven by consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry's shift towards digital media. While there’s merit in the convenience of downloading and playing from your couch, some gamers are left questioning what Sony was thinking. The vast majority of video game sales across all platforms are already digital downloads, making disc releases a relic.

However, backlash against an entirely digital future is evident. The much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI has sparked controversy as it will only be available digitally, with 'physical' copies containing only a download code. This shift raises questions about content ownership and the potential for Sony to misuse their power over consumers’ purchases.

Despite these concerns, Shuman’s statement suggests that Sony is prioritizing innovation in accessing games and providing choices on where players can purchase new titles. However, this comes with the caveat of retro gaming's uncertain future, as Sony plans to discontinue the digital PlayStation Store for legacy consoles like the PS3 and Vita.