Sony announced on Wednesday that it will release PlayStation games only in digital format from January 2028, not producing any physical discs.
Sid Shuman, senior director of Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, called the move “a response to changing trends in consumer preference”.
The change will save on production and distribution costs, but will also limit options for consumers, especially those looking to swap games or buy or sell on the second-hand market.
This decision came on the heels of news of a release date for the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI release and the announcement that the game would only be available as a digital purchase.
What did Sony say about the move away from physical discs?
“As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry shift from physical discs to digital, production of physical game discs for all new games released on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued beginning in January 2028.” Sony’s Shuman wrote in a PlayStation blog post..
After this date, new games will be available only on the online PlayStation Store “and in digital format only at retailers.”
The Japanese tech giant said the move will have no impact on games released before this date.
Shuman wrote, “This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media far outstrips physical discs.” “This change will enable us to more closely align with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.
Sony said it would “continue to work to innovate the way players access games and provide choice in where players choose to purchase new games, whether that’s at retailers or the PlayStation Store.”
What are the advantages and disadvantages of digital games?
Eliminating disc production should reduce costs in the game production process. This would remove the cost of creating and distributing discs as well as other associated expenses such as manufacturing and printing instruction booklets in physical form. However, these expenses are small compared to game development outlays.
There are many reasons why consumers are turning to online shopping and downloading, not least the convenience of ordering from the sofa and a controller in hand.
Additionally, a physical disk can be damaged or lost, dangers that do not exist with an online license for downloading.
However, discontinuing the disc may upset some players, possibly younger players with less disposable income.
The removal of physical games from the market appears to mean that it will no longer be possible to buy a second-hand game, or sell a game you no longer play, or swap or borrow friends’ games.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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