New Numbers Present Sony’s Case For Abandoning PlayStation Discs

Sony is planning to stop manufacturing PlayStation discs by 2028, and new internal data reportedly makes an overwhelming business case for the shift. The decision, long speculated, is now backed by numbers that show physical game sales have collapsed to under 10% of total revenue for the PlayStation 5 generation, making the cost of maintaining disc production lines, logistics, and retail partnerships unsustainable. Sony's abandonment of physical discs marks the end of an era for console gaming, but the company appears willing to endure short-term fan backlash for long-term digital margins.

According to a Forbes report citing unnamed sources familiar with Sony's planning, the company's data reveals that digital game purchases now account for over 90% of PlayStation software revenue, with an additional 5% coming from subscription services like PlayStation Plus. Physical disc sales have plummeted from nearly 60% during the PS3 era to single digits today. The shift has accelerated with the PS5 Pro, which launched in 2024 as a disc-less model by default, selling twice as many units as the standard PS5. Sony's own PlayStation Store revenue grew 35% year-over-year in 2025, while physical game sales dropped another 22%.

The numbers are compelling enough that Sony has decided to completely phase out disc support by 2028, meaning future PlayStation consoles—likely the PlayStation 6—will not include a disc drive. The company has already stopped manufacturing standard PS5 consoles with disc drives in certain regions and expects to discontinue all disc-based hardware by early 2028. Sony's gaming division has been under pressure to improve profit margins, and eliminating physical media is expected to save over $1.5 billion annually in production, distribution, and retail costs.

Fan outcry has been fierce on forums and social media, with many pointing to the loss of ownership, resale markets, and the ability to play used games. Sony has faced similar backlash before—over the PS4's original DRM plans, cross-play restrictions, and price hikes—and reversed course. However, sources indicate this decision will stick because the economic incentives are too strong. Digital-only sales give Sony a 70% margin on each game sold versus approximately 30% for physical discs after retailers, distributors, and manufacturing costs. The data reportedly shows that even if every physical disc buyer abandoned PlayStation, the net effect on revenue would be negligible.

Industry analysts see this as a watershed moment. Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis notes that "Sony is following a path already paved by PC gaming and mobile. Discs are a legacy format that no longer makes financial sense for a company selling premium digital content." The move also positions Sony to compete more aggressively with Xbox Game Pass and subscription models, where digital-only consoles simplify bundling and streaming. Microsoft has already abandoned discs for its Series S and is rumoured to do the same for its next console. The only major holdout is Nintendo, which still sells most of its games on cartridge, but even that is expected to shift in the next generation.

For PlayStation fans, the transition will be gradual: discs bought before 2028 will continue to work on existing consoles, and Sony may offer trade-in programs for physical libraries. But starting with the PlayStation 6, discs will be history. The next milestone to watch is Sony's official announcement, expected at a February 2027 PlayStation event, where the company will confirm the spec sheet for its next console. The era of the disc is ending, and the numbers from Sony tell a clear story: it's already over.