Overview
- Sony announced on July 1, 2026 that new PlayStation games will stop shipping on physical discs from January 2028 and that titles released before that date can still be reordered on disc.
- On July 31 the company’s CFO, Lin Tao, told investors Sony will proceed despite strong player opposition and said retailers can sell boxed download codes to support store partners.
- Players, preservation groups and some developers have launched large petitions and public criticism over ownership, lending and long‑term access to games.
- Analysts and Sony cite sales data showing most PlayStation full‑game purchases are digital, and Sony DADC is repurposing its Thalgau disc plant as disc volumes fall.
- Watch for mounting legal and regulatory complaints over DRM, resale rights and competition and for tangible effects on second‑hand markets, physical retail revenue and game preservation efforts.