PlayStation Is Saying Goodbye to Physical Game Discs as Sony Shifts to Digital-Only Releases in 2028

NEED TO KNOW

• Sony will stop producing physical game discs for new PlayStation titles starting in January 2028

• The shift reflects growing consumer preference for digital media and allows Sony to focus on innovation and flexibility

• PlayStation Store shutdowns on PS3 and PS Vita will begin in some markets in 2026, with remaining countries closing by July 2027

PlayStation is officially moving away from physical game discs.

In a major announcement shared on Wednesday, July 1 , Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed that it will stop producing physical discs for all new games released on PlayStation consoles beginning in January 2028, marking the end of an era for gamers who still prefer buying boxed copies.

After that date, all newly released PlayStation games will be available exclusively in digital formats through the PlayStation Store and participating retailers. Sony noted that the change will not affect games that have already been released or titles scheduled to launch on disc before January 2028.

"As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028," the company said in a statement.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Sony described the move as a response to changing consumer habits in the broader entertainment industry, saying digital purchases now significantly outpace sales of physical media.

"This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," the company said.

The gaming giant added that the transition will allow it to focus resources on innovation and give players more flexibility in how they purchase games, whether directly through the PlayStation Store or from retail partners offering digital products.

This marks one of the most significant shifts in PlayStation's history. Since the launch of the original PlayStation in 1994, physical game discs have been a defining part of the gaming experience, from collecting boxed editions and artwork to trading and reselling games.

While physical media has steadily declined in recent years as digital downloads have become more popular, many players have continued to favor disc-based games for collecting purposes, ownership concernsand the ability to share or resell titles.

Still, some companies aren't giving them the chance. Just last month, on June 24, Take-Two Interactive's Rockstar Games announced Grand Theft Auto 6 — set to be released Nov. 19 — will forgo a disc version in favor of a digital copy or "code in box" offerings.

Sony also announced changes affecting older PlayStation platforms .

The company said it will begin shutting down the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, ending the ability to purchase new digital content on those devices. The PlayStation Store on PS3 will close in Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua beginning in August 2026, with additional Latin American and Middle Eastern markets following later in the year.

In all remaining countries, the PlayStation Store on both PS3 and PS Vita will close in July 2027.

Players will still be able to download content they previously purchased "for the foreseeable future," according to Sony.

The company said the decision was driven by the evolution of modern commerce systems and payment-processing standards, which the aging hardware can no longer support at the level required.

"We know this news may be disappointing to PS3 and PS Vita players who hold a special place in their hearts for this generation of gaming," Sony said. "PS3 and PS Vita represent an important era in our PlayStation history, so this was not an easy decision for us to make."

Sony said it plans to focus its resources on newer platforms as it continues to expand the PlayStation ecosystem and develop future gaming experiences.

Read the original article on People