Sony announced it will end manufacturing of physical PlayStation discs starting January 2028. The move shifts all future releases to digital formats only. A new report shows physical copies have historically been cheaper than digital store prices.
Sony Interactive Entertainment confirmed the change earlier this month. All new games from Sony and third-party publishers will become digital-only after that date.
A Tweakers report analyzed four years of PS5 pricing data in the Netherlands. It found retail prices typically drop over time while PlayStation Store prices often remain at launch levels except during limited sales. First-party exclusives like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart stayed at full price for years.
Industry experts described the decision as a hammer blow to physical retail. Chris Dring of The Game Business called it surprising given ongoing physical sales. Rhys Elliot of Alinea Analytics noted the pre-owned market has kept specialist stores viable until now.
Hundreds of thousands of people signed a petition opposing the change. Analysts said Sony will retain a larger share of each sale, with estimates reaching 54 percent for a typical $70 title.
