Sony has announced a surprising decision in the gaming industry, saying it will stop producing games on physical discs starting in early 2028.
This means that after this date, players will no longer be able to purchase any new games on a CD, but games will only be available through the official PlayStation online store or in digital formats through retailers.
Sony justified its decision by saying it reflects "consumer trends ," noting that the majority of gamers today prefer to download games digitally rather than buy physical copies.
However, observers point out that the decision also holds clear commercial benefits for the company. The PlayStation digital store is the easiest way to buy games, and the digital system doesn't allow sharing or selling games used after playing, thus ensuring greater revenue for the company in the long run.
In its official announcement, Sony seemed to anticipate potential criticism from disc enthusiasts, emphasizing that its new move was a response to the current preferences of the majority of the gaming community. It also reassured its audience that it would continue to offer both physical and digital games through physical and online stores to ensure the best possible gaming experience.
Sony confirmed that the change will not affect games already released or those scheduled for release before the end of 2028, giving players a transition period of several years. However, this shift is not entirely unexpected, as many game companies have already begun the full digital transformation, and players have gradually moved away from physical copies.
A prime example of this shift is the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, expected to be the biggest game in history. Although the game will be released in a physical copy, the box will not contain a disc, but only a digital download code.
The digital transformation wasn't limited to games; it extended to the devices themselves. Since the launch of the latest generation of gaming consoles, both Xbox and PlayStation have released disc-free versions, confirming that the future is irrevocably digital.
