Sony has made it official: beginning in January 2028, all new PlayStation games will launch exclusively in digital format.
The announcement was made through an official blog post on Wednesday, with Sony explaining that changing player habits have made digital distribution the preferred option for most of its audience. Future releases will be available through the PlayStation Store as well as digital download codes sold by retail partners.
Physical Libraries Will Still Be Supported
The company stressed that the decision won't affect existing PlayStation disc owners. Games released before the January 2028 transition will remain fully playable, with the policy applying only to titles released after the cutoff date. According to Sony, digital purchases now represent the overwhelming majority of game sales on PlayStation, making the move a reflection of how most players already consume new releases.
Part of a Bigger Industry Trend
PlayStation isn't the only platform moving toward a digital-first future. Rising hardware prices and growing digital adoption have pushed much of the gaming industry in the same direction over the past few years. Sony has recently increased the price of the PlayStation 5 Disc Edition. At the same time, Microsoft has announced price hikes for Xbox hardware and is reportedly exploring a feature that would allow players to convert physical games into digital licenses. Nintendo has also confirmed a price increase for the Switch 2 in the United States.
Although Sony hasn't revealed what this means for future PlayStation hardware, the announcement makes one thing clear: starting in 2028, buying a brand-new PlayStation game on disc will no longer be an option.