Sony to Discontinue Physical Disc Production for New Games by 2028

Sony has officially confirmed that it will stop producing physical game discs for new PlayStation titles starting in 2028. The announcement, shared on the official PlayStation blog, points to a clear, data-driven shift in how the community consumes games.

The Shift to Digital-First

Sony justifies the decision by highlighting that the preference for digital media has significantly outpaced physical discs. The company's internal data supports this claim: in the 2024 fiscal year, 76% of the 303.3 million games sold for PS4 and PS5 were digital. That figure climbed to 78% in the 2025 fiscal year, with Q4 2025 seeing an even higher 85% digital adoption rate.

While the company argues this transition aligns with how most of its community accesses games, the reaction from players has been overwhelmingly negative. The comments section on the official announcement post, which asks users for their feedback, is filled with vocal opposition from fans who prefer physical media and express concerns over owning nothing more than digital licenses.

Legacy Store Sunsets

Alongside the news regarding physical media, Sony is also closing the digital storefronts for its older hardware. The PlayStation Store on the PS3 and PS Vita will be shuttered on the following schedule:

• Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua: PS3 store closes in August 2026.
• Latin American and Middle Eastern countries: PS3 store closes in late 2026.
• All other countries: PS3 and PS Vita stores close in July 2027.

Sony stated that the decision to sunset these stores allows them to focus resources on expanding the PlayStation experience on newer devices. While the company has not indicated any plans to sunset the PlayStation Store for current PS5 hardware, the combined news of the end of physical discs and the closure of legacy stores marks a significant shift in the company’s approach to game preservation and distribution.