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PlayStation to End Physical Disc Production for New Games in 2028, Signaling Digital-Only Future

Sony has quietly dispatched a survey to game developers seeking feedback on its controversial mandate to end physical disc production by 2028. The move suggests the console manufacturer may be reconsidering its digital-only transition following sustained industry and consumer backlash.

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Sony is reportedly surveying developers on the financial impact of phasing out physical game discs.From: Sony Surveys Developers on Physical Media Future, Signaling Potential Reversal of All-Digital Plan

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Key numbers

Jan 2028
Physical disc production cutoff
85%
Current digital sales share
13%
Digital sales share in 2013

From: PlayStation to End Physical Disc Production for New Games in 2028, Signaling Digital-Only Future

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Digital game purchases have skyrocketed from a niche preference to the overwhelming majority over the last decade.From: PlayStation to End Physical Disc Production for New Games in 2028, Signaling Digital-Only Future ·
The elimination of physical media allows publishers to capture full revenue and permanently close the secondary used-game market.From: PlayStation to End Physical Disc Production for New Games in 2028, Signaling Digital-Only Future ·
Many independent and mid-sized studios continue to rely heavily on physical retail sales for revenue.From: Sony Surveys Developers on Physical Media Future, Signaling Potential Reversal of All-Digital Plan ·
Players have strongly opposed the 2028 digital-only mandate, citing concerns over game preservation and ownership.From: Sony Surveys Developers on Physical Media Future, Signaling Potential Reversal of All-Digital Plan ·
Major esports tournaments already rely on digital enterprise provisioning to ensure all setups run identical, fully patched software.From: PlayStation to End Physical Disc Production for New Games in 2028, Signaling Digital-Only Future ·

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