Sony is phasing out physical games starting in 2028

It was only a matter of time before someone took this step, and today Sony officially confirmed what many feared would come to pass. Starting in January 2028, all new games released on PlayStation consoles will be available exclusively in digital format, both on the PlayStation Store and through retailers. Games that have already been released or those set to be released by the end of 2027 will continue to be available in physical format as well.

In press release In a post on its official blog, Sony attributes this decision to changing consumer preferences and the fact that the entertainment industry is increasingly shifting toward digital distribution. The company claims that most gamers already prefer to buy games digitally, and phasing out discs will allow it to focus its resources on new ways to distribute and provide access to games.

Interestingly, this news comes just a few days after Rockstar Games announced that the next title in the Grand Theft Auto series will be available exclusively in digital format. Even though, just as with Sony, it was clear that the industry was heading in this direction, I didn’t expect to see an official announcement from PlayStation less than a week later. It seems that the transition to a fully digital future is accelerating much faster than we anticipated.

Personally, it was news that was quite hard for me to take.

I'm not the kind of collector who buys every special edition or fills my bookshelf with hundreds of games, but I've always preferred to buy physical copies of the titles that really meant something to me. PlayStation exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, The Last of Us, and Ghost of Tsushima were games I wanted to have on my shelf, not just in a digital library. It was a way for me to feel like I truly owned the product, and years later, I could take it out of its case and relive the experience.

Starting in 2028, this option will no longer be available.

Sure, I understand Sony's arguments. Data from recent years clearly shows that digital sales have long since surpassed sales of physical games, and the company's production, distribution, and logistics costs will be significantly reduced. From a financial standpoint, the decision makes sense.

However, there is one aspect that still raises questions for me. From the wording of the press release, it’s not entirely clear to me whether Sony is referring only to games published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and partner studios that launch exclusively on PlayStation, or whether the decision applies to absolutely all new games coming to PlayStation consoles, regardless of the publisher or whether they’re also available on other platforms.

If we’re talking about the second option, then I think we can start to get an idea of the direction the future PlayStation ecosystem might take. I wouldn’t be surprised if the PlayStation 6 were released exclusively as a Digital Edition, without an optical drive and without the ability to play disc-based games. This is, of course, just speculation at this point, but today’s announcement seems to be pushing the company in exactly that direction.

At the same time, another important question arises: how will Sony handle backward compatibility with previous generations when the PlayStation 6 is released? Many gamers have substantial collections of PS4 and PS5 games on disc, and I’m very curious to see what solution the company will come up with so as not to leave behind users who have spent years building up their physical collections.

The problem is that not all players see this change as progress. For many, physical games aren’t just a storage medium—they also offer the chance to resell a title after finishing it, lend it to a friend, or simply enjoy the satisfaction of having a collection on the shelf.

The community’s reaction was swift. On Reddit, X, and other social media platforms, thousands of fans expressed their disappointment, and most of the comments are negative. Many accuse Sony of limiting consumer choices and argue that this move will, over time, lead to even greater control over the prices of digital games as well as over how long someone can play a game they’ve purchased. Some users have already come forward claiming they have canceled their orders and pre-orders for physical PlayStation games, stating that they no longer wish to support the direction the company has taken.

It remains to be seen whether this reaction will have any impact on Sony’s decision. Realistically speaking, the chances are very slim. The industry has been moving in this direction for years, and PlayStation appears to be the first of the major console manufacturers to take the definitive step toward a fully digital future.

Even though I understand the reasons behind the decision, I can't say I'm happy about it. For me, there will always be something special about buying a game like God of War or Spider-Man and adding it to my collection (even a small one) on the shelf alongside the other games that have shaped my experience as a gamer. Starting in 2028, at least on PlayStation, that feeling will be nothing more than a memory.