Gamers upset that the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI is only getting a digital-only release have more to get upset about as Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that it will stop releasing new games in physical discs from January 2028.
Citing shifting consumer behaviour as the reason for this change, the company announced in a blog post that new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. Games already released, or scheduled to launch before January 2028 will remain available on disc, ensuring no disruption for existing collections.
Sony framed the move as a natural response to evolving consumer habits, noting that digital media adoption has far outpaced physical discs. The company emphasised that the transition will allow it to better align with how players prefer to access and enjoy games today.
Additionally, Sony also announced the closure of the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita, ending nearly two decades of support for the iconic console generation.
The shutdown will roll out in phases:
- August 2026: PS3 store closures begin in Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
- Late 2026: Additional Latin American and Middle Eastern markets follow.
- July 2027: Global closure of PS3 and PS Vita stores.
Once closed, players will no longer be able to purchase new content on these devices. However, previously purchased titles will remain available for download “for the foreseeable future,” ensuring existing libraries are preserved.
Yonk is a geek who is fortunate enough to have an equally geeky Star Wars fan for a wife, who owns a LEGO Millennium Falcon encased in a glass coffee table as their home’s centre-piece.
Kevin Low
