Sony stays the course on ending physical PlayStation game production

Sony isn't backing away from its controversial decision to phase out physical PlayStation game discs. After announcing earlier last month that disc production for new PlayStation releases will end in January 2028, the company has now confirmed it still intends to follow through despite widespread criticism from players.

The topic came up during Sony's latest earnings Q&A after an investor asked about the backlash surrounding the move. Speaking through a live interpreter, Sony Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao said the company had carefully considered the transition before reaching its decision. He added that digital distribution continues to grow across all forms of media, and Sony plans to proceed with the change cautiously.

The announcement sparked an immediate response from the PlayStation community. A Change.org petition titled "Don't Kill the Disc" has already attracted more than 350,000 signatures, while PlayStation's social media accounts have been flooded with comments from fans calling on Sony to reverse course. Some players have even begun organizing a week-long protest by avoiding PlayStation platforms altogether.

Until now, Sony had remained largely silent as the criticism mounted. Tao's comments mark the company's first direct response, making it clear that the backlash hasn't changed its plans. Sony acknowledged that many players still value physical games and understand the concerns surrounding game ownership and preservation. Even so, the company believes the industry is steadily moving toward digital distribution and says it will continue exploring ways to support players as that transition unfolds.

The company also doesn't expect the decision to have much impact on its business. According to Sony, digital purchases already account for the overwhelming majority of PlayStation software sales, making the eventual end of disc production a relatively small shift from a financial perspective. Executives added that player feedback will continue to be considered throughout the transition period.

The latest sales figures appear to support Sony's confidence. Between April and June this year, 82% of PlayStation game sales, downloadable content, and microtransactions were made digitally, up from 78% during the same period last year. With digital adoption continuing to climb, Sony sees little reason to change direction.

Unless the company makes an unexpected U-turn, January 2028 remains the target date for ending production of physical discs for all newly released PlayStation games. That gives publishers, retailers, and developers roughly a year and a half to prepare for what will be one of the biggest changes in PlayStation's history.

As always, for the latest news on PlayStation, console gaming, industry trends, and developments across the gaming world, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware and gaming coverage.