PlayStation will stop releasing games on discs in 2028

From January 2028, new PlayStation games will no longer be released on discs, the gaming giant has announced.

Sony said in a blog post., External New games can still be bought in stores, but they come with digital codes.

will come A few days after Rockstar announced The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI will similarly launch without a physical disc.

It marks a big moment for the gaming industry, which has begun to rely more and more on digital distribution in recent years.

Sony said the move comes as “consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift from physical discs to digital.”

“As the overall choice of digital media exceeds that of physical discs, this is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends,” he added.

But it has received some backlash online, with gaming journalist Vicki Blake calling it a “damage to consumer rights”.

“It’s a huge threat to game preservation and a big problem for low-income players who rely on games that are partially traded or loaned from friends to keep up with AAA price tags,” she said.

“One console cycle ago, Sony ran a tongue-in-cheek ad touting how easy it was to mine games on the PS4 as opposed to the Xbox.

“It’s not funny anymore, is it?”

The company said the move will not affect games that have already been released or will be released before January 2028.

Players have previously voiced their concern about GTA being released without a disc – one has criticized it as mean. They cannot lend or sell the game to their friends.

The BBC asked if Sony plans to transfer digital game ownership in the future based on this announcement.

The company has yet to comment.