Sony will stop making PlayStation game discs from 2028 as digital sales reach 80% of total
Sony announced on Wednesday that it will stop manufacturing physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting January 2028, a full shift to digital distribution as downloads now account for 80% of its full-game software sales.
Sony sets 2028 deadline for all-digital games
Sony will cease manufacturing physical discs for all new PlayStation titles from January 2028, moving to a fully digital distribution model. The company said the change will not affect games already released or scheduled for disc before that date, but all new releases thereafter will be available only through the PlayStation Store or as digital codes from retailers. The decision represents a fundamental shift for the platform, which has used disc media since the original PlayStation in 1994.
Legacy console stores to close in stages
In parallel, Sony announced it will begin shutting down the PlayStation Store for its 15- to 20-year-old PS3 and PS Vita consoles. The PS3 store closes first in Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua this August, followed by additional Latin American and Middle Eastern markets later in 2026. All remaining stores for both systems will shut down in July 2027. Once the stores close, users will no longer be able to purchase new digital content, though previously bought games will remain downloadable for the foreseeable future.
We understand this news may be disappointing for PS3 and PS Vita players. The PS3 and PS Vita represent an important era in our PlayStation history, so this was not an easy decision.
- PS3 Store closes in Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua
- PS3 Store closes in additional Latin American and Middle Eastern markets
- PS3 and PS Vita stores close in all remaining markets
- Sony stops producing physical discs for new PlayStation games
Digital dominance reflected in sales data
Sony reported that digital downloads now account for around 80 percent of its full-game software sales in fiscal 2025, up from just 19 percent in fiscal 2015. The Japanese company described the shift as a natural evolution to align with consumer behavior, noting that the preference for digital media far exceeds that for physical discs. Capcom, a major game publisher, has similarly reported that 93 percent of its sales were digital in its most recent financial year, compared with 75 percent in 2022.
- FY 2015
- 19 %
- FY 2025
- 78 %
Impact on gamers and preservation
The move to digital-only distribution has raised concerns about the second-hand market and the right to resell or lend games. Physical copies often cost less than digital versions and can be shared or traded, practices that will no longer apply to new titles after 2028. Preservation advocates also warn that digital-only libraries risk being lost if stores eventually shut down. The Video Game History Foundation previously found that 87 percent of classic games released before 2010 are considered "critically endangered," partly due to the closure of digital storefronts.
Broader industry context
The announcement comes shortly after Rockstar Games confirmed that the physical edition of Grand Theft Auto VI, set for release this November, will contain only a download code and no disc. A GameStop employee reported receiving just five pre-orders for that edition, against an expectation of 500. Some industry observers see Sony's move as preparing for a potential PlayStation 6 without a disc drive, though no hardware details have been confirmed. The timing, combined with the GTA VI decision, signals the accelerating end of physical game media.
