Sony has reaffirmed that its plan to discontinue physical disc production for new PlayStation games by 2028 will not negatively impact its gaming business. The company’s confidence stems from the continued rise of digital game sales, which now represent the vast majority of PlayStation software purchases.
During Sony’s first-quarter FY2026 earnings call, CFO Lin Tao stated that the company has observed no adverse effects since announcing the disc-free transition and does not foresee any in the future. Digital downloads accounted for 82% of full-game software sales on PlayStation consoles in Q1 FY2026, up from 78% for the entire FY2025. This trend validates Sony’s long-term digital-first strategy.
While production of discs for new titles will end in 2028, Sony confirmed that existing games released on disc before that deadline will continue to be supported, ensuring a gradual transition for players and developers.
“We are not seeing any impact on our business as of now. Going forward, about the content sales, large part is already digitized. Therefore as a result of the discontinuation of a disc, we don’t see that there will be any negative impact on our business. However, as I already said, the users, the players, have attachments, and we have to think about how to respond to those feedbacks.” — Lin Tao, Sony CFO
Acknowledging Fan Concerns
Despite the company’s confidence, the announcement has drawn criticism from gamers, collectors, and industry figures worried about digital ownership, game preservation, and the loss of physical resale options. Tao acknowledged the strong emotional attachment many players have to physical discs and said Sony is considering how to respond to community feedback. However, he emphasized that the broader entertainment industry is rapidly shifting toward digital distribution.
Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, stated in a PlayStation Blog post: “In response to shifting trends in consumer preference, new games will be released on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.”
Competing on Content, Not Discs
Sony dismissed the notion that physical discs are essential to differentiating PlayStation from PC gaming. The company’s competitive advantage lies in offering curated content, a stable gaming ecosystem, and hardware that remains more affordable than high-end gaming PCs. These strengths, Sony believes, will continue to attract players even as the platform embraces an all-digital future.
With PlayStation 5 sales surpassing 93 million units and active monthly users growing, Sony remains optimistic that the disc-free transition will support long-term business growth rather than hinder it.
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