Sony found a compromise: PlayStation discs will remain, but not for everyone

Despite the global trend of the gaming industry going digital, Sony continues to clarify its policy regarding physical media for the PlayStation. While the company has confirmed plans to phase out discs by 2028 due to the predominance of digital consumption, there are important clarifications for developers.

According to Game File, Sony has informed partners about the possibility of continuing to order physical copies even after the “digital era” has arrived.

Limitations and conditions of release

According to internal information, the right to reorder editions on physical media applies only to those games whose official launch took place before January 2028. The order process for the discs themselves will undergo some changes, the details of which will be revealed by Sony at a later date.

Transformation of production

Changes in the strategy are directly related to the restructuring of the company’s capacities. In particular, the Sony factory in Salzburg, Austria, which was previously responsible for stamping optical discs, was repurposed. Currently, it is focused on the production of high-tech optical microlenses.

New format

In addition to supporting existing discs, Sony is introducing the concept of distributing games to retail via digital codes. This will allow companies to maintain a presence in physical stores even after completely abandoning Blu-ray media. The mechanism for implementing such purchases is currently under development.