Sony to end PlayStation physical disc production by 2028

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced it will cease manufacturing physical game discs for PlayStation consoles starting in 2028. This decision follows market trends where digital downloads accounted for approximately 82% of PS4 and PS5 game sales by early 2026.

The move has sparked significant backlash from the gaming community, particularly during the Gamescom event in Cologne. Critics and consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns regarding the loss of true ownership, as digital purchases are often licenses rather than permanent assets. Concerns also include the inability to resell, lend, or preserve games for the long term if publishers remove them from digital storefronts.

In response to these concerns, a petition titled ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’, signed by approximately 1.3 million people, has been submitted to the European Commission to highlight the risks of digital-only ecosystems and the potential loss of gaming history.