Time passes very quickly, and technological progress forces us to abandon our old habits. Although we sometimes try to resist these changes, we have no choice but to accept reality. Buying physical copies of games is one such habit. For some, it is a nostalgic experience; for others, it is a kind of defense mechanism against the feeling that buying a game on digital platforms means simply renting it. Whatever the reason, there is still a large audience that prefers boxed games. However, it appears that this tradition is also nearing its end.
Some time ago, when it was announced that the boxed version of "GTA VI" would not contain a disc and would instead include only a digital download code, many gamers rightly reacted strongly. But it is no longer a secret that companies do not pay much attention to such criticism. Sony has now taken a similar and even bigger step.
According to a statement published on the official "PlayStation Blog" page, physical versions of new PlayStation games will no longer be produced starting in January 2028. The statement notes that, due to user preferences and the entertainment industry's shift toward digital formats, new games will be sold digitally only on the PS Store platform and through retail stores. The only consolation is that this transition will not affect games released on disc before January 2028.
Sony management justifies this move by stating that demand for digital media has surpassed that for physical discs. The company's latest financial reports also confirm this. Approximately 85 percent of game sales come from digital purchases. Against this backdrop, abandoning physical versions appears to be a highly logical revenue strategy for Sony.
Despite all these developments, the possibility of digital games becoming inaccessible one day is the biggest nightmare for many players. Users are not entirely unjustified in having these fears. We have seen many painful examples of this in the recent past.
Sony itself has experienced cases in which films users had purchased were suddenly removed from their libraries. Decisions to halt digital game sales for the PS3 and PS Vita in the coming months are also increasing these concerns. The possibility that a paid digital product could disappear in the future at the provider's decision is a major risk. However, it appears that these concerns matter little to giant companies.
Ultimately, another era in the gaming industry is coming to an end. The tradition of buying physical game discs and arranging them on shelves is slowly becoming nothing more than a fond memory.
