GTA 6 effect: Sony says all new PlayStation games will be digital-only from January 2028

Sony is pulling the plug on physical discs. All new PlayStation games will be digital-only from January 2028. Sony says people – apparently – want this.

In Short

• No more discs for new PS games starting from 2028 
• PlayStation games will be digital-only
• News comes after Rockstar made GTA 6 pre-orders digital-only

If you're someone who likes owning a physical copy of a game, Sony has some bad news. Sony has announced that starting January 2028, it will stop producing physical PlayStation discs for all new games releasing on PS5 consoles. After January 2028, new releases will only be available to buy digitally, either through the PlayStation Store or from retailers in digital format. Games that are already out or launch before January 2028 won’t be affected and will still be available on disc.

Sony says the decision to go all digital for all new PS games in fact stems from what people have been wanting. “This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs,” the company said justifying the move. In other words, more people have been buying games digitally lately, per Sony, and the company is simply following the trend.

Interestingly, the news – which is huge and the end of an era for games on discs – comes even as Rockstar Games announced that all GTA 6 (Grand Theft Auto 6) pre-orders will ship in digital format, even to those who order a physical disc. Clearly, Rockstar knew a thing or two about Sony’s plans even if the decision has been drawing criticism online from purists and multiple retailers who are not too pleased with it.

Why physical games still matter to many players

Digital media has several advantages but there are also few disadvantages. Physical copies of games can be resold once you're done with them. You can lend them over to someone or simply keep on a shelf as something tangible. It is something that you actually own. Digital copies can’t offer that. You don't truly "own" a digital game the same way you own a disc. If a console's servers shut down or your account gets locked, access to your library could be at risk.

Just like how Rockstar moving to digital-only downloads for GTA 6 is drawing a lot of attention, with Sony making “digital” the new normal from 2028, should add fuel to the ongoing debate one that’s likely going to continue for a long time given that Sony is giving gamers a big window of time to accept what’s coming. now, Sony did say that the decision doesn’t impact existing games and games that launch before January 2028. What remains to be seen is if Rockstar will make any physical copies of GTA 6 before that or if it ends up being the first developer to switch to the new format. GTA 6 release is pegged for November 19.

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