Sony plans to stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games in 2028, and the company does not believe that decision will damage its business. The policy has drawn criticism from players and parts of the games industry, but Sony says the move reflects a wider change in how people consume entertainment.
Sony CFO Lin Tao discussed the plan during the company’s quarterly financial conference and earnings call Q&A. The official investor-relations materials cover the conference, while a transcript published by Investing records Tao’s comments.
According to Tao, the main reason for the decision is the continued move from physical products to digital distribution across entertainment. “The digitalization of contents overall has been progressing,” Tao said, adding that the trend affects more than PlayStation.
Sony did not present the plan as a sudden decision. Tao said the company had spent a great deal of time considering the future of physical games before deciding to proceed carefully. She also acknowledged that players have strong opinions about the change and that games are tied to fond memories for many people.
That emotional response does not appear to have changed Sony’s direction. Tao said the company understands those feelings and will consider how to involve players in its “future digital ecosystem,” but she did not indicate that Sony plans to reverse the move or keep producing discs for new releases after 2028.
The company also expects the business impact to be limited. Tao said Sony does not “see that there will be any negative impact on our business,” presenting the transition as part of a broader change in entertainment rather than a risk to PlayStation’s commercial plans.
What Sony’s plan means for physical games
The announcement concerns disc production for new PlayStation games, not the immediate removal of existing physical products from stores. Sony also plans to continue shipping some game boxes in North America, but those packages will contain digital download codes rather than discs. Sony cited Grand Theft Auto VI as an example of the format. The approach would preserve a boxed retail presence while moving the actual game distribution to digital storefronts.
Sony’s comments also leave open questions about how collectors, retailers, preservation groups, and players who prefer boxed releases will be served in the years ahead. A box containing a download code does not provide the same resale, offline-access, or preservation benefits as a disc.
Sony’s position arrives as some publishers continue to support physical editions while other major releases move toward digital-only or code-in-box formats. That leaves the future of discs and game cards uncertain, even as Sony argues that digital sales will continue to carry the business.
Physical releases remain important to players who want to collect games, resell them, play without depending entirely on online services, or preserve access to older software. Sony’s comments recognize that attachment, but the company’s 2028 plan remains in place.
Players plan a blackout over the disc decision
Some PlayStation players are planning a protest blackout from August 23 through August 30 in response to Sony’s disc decision. The planned action adds to the criticism surrounding the transition, although Sony has said it is not seeing an impact on its business at this point.
Sony is also forecasting a record-breaking fiscal year for PS5, giving the company another reason to stay with its current digital-focused direction. The next financial statement should offer a clearer view of whether consumer resistance has changed sales behavior.
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