PlayStation says goodbye to the disc: gaming goes 100% digital in 2028

What happened?

Last month, Sony announced that from early 2028 it will stop releasing PlayStation titles in physical format, i.e., on discs. The information, published by Hipertextual (source reliability 76/100), confirms that the Japanese company is joining the trend toward digital, which has already dominated game sales in recent years. Although it has not been specified whether games already released on disc will remain compatible, the decision marks a historic turning point.

This move is not isolated: in 2024, Microsoft had already removed the disc drive from the Xbox Series X Digital Edition, and Nintendo, while still using cartridges, has seen its digital sales grow year after year. According to data from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), in 2025 digital sales accounted for 78% of the global video game market, compared to 22% for physical. With its decision, Sony accelerates the end of an era that began with the original PlayStation in 1994.

Historically, physical format has been the standard since the early cartridges of Atari and Nintendo. The transition to CD-ROM in the 1990s allowed for greater capacity and better graphics, but also laid the groundwork for digital distribution. The PlayStation 3 already offered digital downloads, though limited by hard drive sizes. With the PlayStation 4, Sony promoted its PlayStation Store, and on the PS5, the digital edition (without a disc drive) became a popular option. Now, with the 2028 announcement, the company completely stops producing discs for new titles.

It is important to note that Hipertextual's information does not specify whether games already released on disc will remain compatible with future consoles. Nor has it been confirmed whether Sony will maintain disc production for back catalogs or cease all manufacturing. This leaves open the possibility that, in the future, existing physical games will only work on consoles that already have a disc drive, limiting backward compatibility.

Why is this important?

The end of disc-based games is not just a change of medium; it implies a profound transformation in the user's relationship with the product. Until now, buying a disc meant physically owning the game, being able to resell it, lend it, or keep it without relying on external servers. With digital format, the player acquires a usage license, not ownership. This has legal, economic, and cultural implications. Moreover, Sony's announcement pressures Xbox and Nintendo to follow the same path, accelerating the disappearance of physical format across the industry.

From a legal perspective, purchasing a digital game does not grant intellectual property rights, but a revocable license. In 2023, the European Union considered that resale of digital software was legal under certain conditions, but in practice, platforms like Steam or PlayStation Store do not allow it. This contrasts with the second-hand disc market, which has been a source of revenue for specialized stores and an affordable access method for players with fewer resources.

Economically, the digital model eliminates manufacturing, distribution, and storage costs, increasing profit margins for Sony. However, it also reduces price competition: digital games rarely drop in price as quickly as physical ones, and deals are controlled by the platform. According to a 2024 study by consulting firm DFC Intelligence, the average price of a digital game remains 15% higher than its physical equivalent during the first year after release.

Culturally, physical format has allowed the preservation of video games as heritage. Organizations like the Video Game History Foundation have pointed out that the disappearance of discs makes conservation difficult, as digital games depend on servers and updates that may disappear. In 2023, the closure of the Wii U and 3DS stores left hundreds of titles inaccessible, a worrying precedent for the future of PlayStation.

Consequences for players and the market

• Loss of ownership: Digital games cannot be resold or traded, reducing the second-hand market and limiting consumer freedom. In countries like Spain, the second-hand video game market moved over 200 million euros in 2025, according to AEVI data. With the end of physical format, this market would disappear.
• Platform dependency: If PlayStation closes its digital store in the future, purchased games could be lost. Preserving video games as cultural heritage becomes more difficult. This has already happened with platforms like Google Stadia, which closed in 2023, leaving users without access to purchased games.
• Unequal access: In regions with poor connectivity, downloading large games (like the 150 GB 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II') can be an obstacle. Additionally, those without credit cards or access to digital payment methods will be excluded. In Latin America, for example, credit card penetration is low, and cash payment remains common.
• Impact on physical stores: The cessation of disc production will affect retailers like GameStop, which has already seen its revenue drop 30% in the last five years. In Spain, chains like Game or CeX could be forced to close or reconvert, resulting in job losses.
• Effect on the industry: Independent studios, which often rely on physical sales in specialized stores, will lose a distribution channel. Although digital offers them greater reach, it also makes them more dependent on platform algorithms.

What should readers know?

Sony's decision is not surprising: digital sales already account for over 70% of the video game market. However, the total elimination of physical format removes the option to choose. Players should be aware that from 2028, any new PlayStation game will only be available digitally. For those who value ownership and physical collection, now is the time to acquire disc-based titles they want to keep. It is also important to closely monitor how Xbox and Nintendo react, and whether movements to defend physical format emerge.

Compared to previous events, such as the removal of the headphone jack on smartphones or the end of music CDs, the transition to digital in video games has a greater impact due to file sizes and server dependency. In 2021, Microsoft attempted to eliminate the disc on Xbox One but backtracked amid criticism. Now, Sony takes the definitive step.

For readers, it is advisable to review their digital libraries and consider purchasing physical catalog games before they stop being manufactured. It is also worth paying attention to Sony's preservation policies: the company has promised to keep the digital store active, but there are no long-term guarantees. In 2026, the PlayStation 5 Pro no longer includes a disc drive as standard, indicating that the company was preparing the ground.

“PlayStation's announcement is just the confirmation of something we all saw coming,” notes Hipertextual. The industry is moving toward a completely digital model, and consumers will have to adapt to the new rules of the game.

In summary, the end of physical format on PlayStation marks a before and after. Players lose ownership rights and gain convenience, but at the cost of control they once took for granted. The market becomes even more concentrated in large platforms, and video game preservation becomes a titanic task. As an analyst, I recommend users inform themselves and make conscious decisions about their purchases, and for the industry, to seek hybrid models that respect consumer diversity.