Sony has announced plans to cease the production of physical disks for all new PlayStation games starting January 2028. Following this date, all new titles will be available for purchase only in digital format through the PlayStation Store and other retailers.
Physical games, which range from cartridges to disks, have long been a staple of gaming culture. However, Sony's decision reflects the current trends in gaming consumption.
Shift Towards Digital Gaming
In their announcement, Sony stated, "This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends, as the general preference for digital media far surpasses physical disks." This transition aims to align with the way the majority of their community prefers to access and enjoy games today.
Digital Sales Dominance
According to Sony's financial report for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2025, digital game sales accounted for a staggering 85% of total game software sales on both the PS4 and PS5 platforms. In contrast, physical game sales only represented 15%.
Impact on Collectors and the Used Game Market
This new policy will not affect physical games that have already been released or those scheduled to launch before January 2028. However, this announcement poses a significant challenge for collectors of physical media and the second-hand gaming market.
Recent Trends in the Industry
The timing of Sony's decision comes shortly after Rockstar Games revealed that Grand Theft Auto 6 would only be available in a digital format. Buyers of the physical edition will find a download code inside the packaging instead of a physical game disk.
Additionally, Sony has announced plans to shut down the PlayStation Store on the PS3 in certain countries this year, with a global closure for the PS3 and PS Vita scheduled for next year. Once these online stores are closed, gamers will no longer be able to purchase new games or content on those platforms. However, previously purchased games and content will still be available for download for some time.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/games-news/d-8556787/sony-akan-setop-produksi-game-playstation-fisik-kapan
