First PC and now console, the era of physical discs may be coming to an end. From January 2028 onward, new PlayStation games will not be released on discs, a decision that has already sparked concern among many gamers.

Instead, the console will go fully digital. This is akin to the release of GTA 6, which has entirely skipped the disc format.

On July 1, 2026, PlayStation released an update about the platform's future on X.

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

New games released in 2028 will go straight to the PlayStation Store and will be available at retailers in digital format only. Therefore, gamers have only a little over a year left to enjoy actual physical releases as per the PlayStation Blog.

Sony is adapting to the consumer shift toward digital media, which leaves little room for physical discs. The media giant insists the policy change will better align with the community's preferences, although not everyone wants games to be fully digital.

The most recent example is, of course, GTA 6.

When fans realized that the game wouldn't have a disc release, pushback followed. Retailers like Loot Box Gaming and Video Games Plus even refused to sell the game.

This is because physical copies allow greater ownership for buyers. With digital purchases, this is not the case.

For instance, Sony recently announced that, due to licensing arrangements, over 500 movies and TV shows will be removed from the PlayStation Store.

These are media titles that people paid to own. However, on September 1, 2026, they will no longer be available to watch. Naturally, PlayStation gamers are upset about the future of gaming.

Gamers show great concern as Sony pulls plug on PlayStation discs

Consoles like the PlayStation have a history of games being released on discs. The discontinuation of this tradition has naturally affected many.

One fan believed Sony's decision was counterproductive in the same thread, stating, "Horrible decision that will turn many people off from buying the PS6"

Yet another announced that they're switching to PC, mentioning, "There’s no reason to stay with PlayStation anymore. After more than 30 years with Sony, I’m switching to PC."

One fan pointed out that the PS5's disc edition won't be viable in the future: "So these are just paper weight soon? What a depressing decision to give customers less options"

Finally, one fan pointed out that the decision came right after GTA 6's digital copy announcement: "This is the end of physical game discs. First Rockstar Games did it and now everyone will do the same."

Overall, a large section of the fanbase appears unhappy with Sony's decision. However, some may be in favor of digital-only releases, as they are somewhat more convenient to purchase and store.

Would you buy a digital-only PlayStation console, or do physical game discs still matter to you? Let us know.

Read more at Gaming Community by Max Level!

Written by

Prit Chauhan

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav