TECHNOMALIST
Sony has confirmed it will stop selling physical game discs for PlayStation consoles after January 2028, in a move that has drawn sharp criticism from a vocal segment of its user base. The company announced the timeline in a July 1 blog post, framing it as a natural evolution driven by consumer trends and a broader preference for digital media.
The backlash was swift. A campaign called PSBlackout is calling on gamers to boycott all Sony platforms for one week starting August 23, urging players to avoid logins, gameplay, and purchases. At the same time, a Change.org petition titled “Don’t Kill the Disc” has surpassed 350,000 verified signatures.
During a follow-up Q&A with shareholders, Sony CFO Lin Tao said the company would proceed with the transition, adding that it does not anticipate the uproar will negatively affect sales. Tao characterized the approach as “cautious” and acknowledged the emotional connection fans have with physical media, noting that the company is evaluating how to address that sentiment without reversing its decision. She did not specify what form any future olive branch might take.
For Sony, the calculus is straightforward: digital sales generate higher margins by eliminating manufacturing, distribution, and retailer markups, and they prevent the used-game resale market from siphoning away revenue. Commentators also point out that digital purchases grant a revocable license rather than true ownership, a model that has already become the norm on PC through storefronts like Steam and Epic Games.
The disc drive is already becoming optional on PlayStation hardware. Only the PlayStation 5 Slim Disc variant currently includes a built-in drive; owners of the Digital Edition and the upcoming PS5 Pro must purchase a separate external drive to use physical media.
Xbox, too, appears to be moving away from discs. IGN has reported that the next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will lack a disc drive and that Microsoft is exploring ways to let owners digitize their existing physical libraries. If those plans materialize, Nintendo could become the last major console manufacturer to support physical game media, as the Switch 2 is expected to retain cartridge compatibility with the original Switch.
CNET originally reported on the PlayStation announcement, the subsequent backlash, and Sony’s response.
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