Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has officially announced that it will cease the production of physical game discs for new PlayStation console titles starting January 2028. This move is interpreted as a response to the industry's ongoing shift toward digital content.

Under this new policy, all new PlayStation titles released from January 2028 will be available exclusively as digital downloads. While this does not affect titles already released or those scheduled for release before January 2028, all subsequent games will be launched solely in digital format without physical packaging.

Regarding the reason for discontinuing physical packaging, Sony stated, "As demand for digital media significantly outweighs that for physical discs, this decision is based on customer usage patterns and changes in the market environment." However, industry analysts suggest that the move is also aimed at improving ESG management scores by reducing plastic usage to secure tax benefits or financing advantages. Furthermore, it is seen as a strategy to reduce production costs, alleviate the burden of supporting disc-based backward compatibility, and streamline manufacturing processes for future consoles.

Sony's decision to stop producing physical discs is expected to impact game retailers both domestically and internationally. With foot traffic already declining due to the rise in digital purchases, the disappearance of physical media will likely eliminate the second-hand market entirely. Additionally, consumer anxiety regarding digital ownership is growing, especially following Sony's recent unilateral removal of hundreds of purchased movies and TV episodes from user libraries due to licensing expirations.

Furthermore, plans for the closure of the PS3 and PS Vita stores have been announced. The PS3 store is scheduled to shut down in select countries and regions starting in 2026, and by 2027, the PS3 and PS Vita stores will close permanently in all remaining regions, including South Korea.