Sony to halt PlayStation disc production in 2028 as physical sales dwindle

Sony announced that from January 2028 no new PlayStation games will be released on physical disc. The company says the move reflects a shift in consumer preference toward digital downloads.

Industry data underscore the trend. Circana reported that in the United States only seven PS5 titles have sold more than 100,000 physical copies in 2026, and just two games exceeded 10,000 units in the week ending 11 July. Analysts note that physical sales now represent a small fraction of overall PlayStation revenue.

The decision threatens the global second‑hand market, valued at roughly $7.2 billion and projected to grow to $13.8 billion by 2034. Analysts warn that eliminating new discs could reduce resale activity and limit consumer ownership rights.

Reactions have been mixed. Sohei Niikawa, creator of the Disgaea series, argued that if Sony discards physical games it could just as easily discontinue the consoles themselves. Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek said the market already chose digital. Nonetheless, Sony expects higher profit margins from digital sales and says the change will not affect games already released on disc.