Sony to Sell New PlayStation Games Only as Digital Downloads Starting in 2028

Sony announced last week that new PlayStation games will be available only as digital downloads starting in 2028. The company said the shift reflects consumer purchasing patterns. Digital sales accounted for 13 percent of PlayStation game purchases when the PlayStation 4 launched in 2013 and approached 80 percent last year.

The publisher of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI said its physical edition will contain only a download code inside the box. A consultant who leads BCG's gaming practice stated that Sony's announcement will likely accelerate the market's move toward digital distribution.

Buyers of physical discs can resell or lend games without online mediation. Digital purchases grant only a license that can be revoked by the seller. Sony also notified customers that more than 500 purchased movies and shows would be removed from its online marketplace.

Physical discs can be damaged or decay over time, but owners retain the ability to transfer them directly. Video-game discs serve as visible markers of personal taste in the same way record collections or book libraries do.