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Sony reiterated that its decision to stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games from January 2028 will not affect its gaming business. Speaking during the company's first-quarter FY2026 earnings call, Sony CFO Lin Tao said the company has not seen any adverse impact since announcing the move and does not expect one in the future. Sony attributes its confidence to the growing dominance of digital game sales, which now account for the majority of PlayStation software purchases.
Sony revealed that 82% of full-game software sales on PlayStation consoles during the first quarter of FY2026 came through digital downloads, up from 78% for the full FY2025. The company believes this steady increase validates its long-term strategy of transitioning away from physical media. While production of discs for new titles will end in 2028, Sony confirmed that existing games released on disc before the deadline will continue to be supported, allowing a gradual transition for players and developers.
“We are not seeing any impact on our business as of now,” Tao said. “Going forward, about the content sales, large part is already digitized. Therefore as a result of the discontinuation of a disc, we don’t see that there will be any negative impact on our business. However, as I already said, the users, the players, have attachments, and we have to think about how to respond to those feedbacks,” he added.
The announcement drew criticism from gamers, collectors, and industry figures concerned about digital ownership, game preservation, and the loss of physical resale options. Addressing these concerns, Lin Tao acknowledged that many players have a strong emotional attachment to physical game discs and said Sony is considering how to respond to community feedback. However, the executive emphasized that the company intends to move forward cautiously, maintaining that the broader entertainment industry is rapidly shifting toward digital distribution.
“In response to shifting trends in consumer preference, new games will be released on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only,” Sid Shuman, Senior Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, said in a post on PlayStation Blog.
Sony also dismissed suggestions that physical discs are essential to differentiating PlayStation from PC gaming. According to the company, its competitive advantage lies in offering curated content, a stable gaming ecosystem, and hardware that remains more affordable than many high-end gaming PCs. Sony believes these strengths will continue to attract players even as the platform embraces an all-digital future.
With PlayStation 5 sales surpassing 93 million units and active monthly users continuing to grow, the company remains optimistic that the transition will support long-term business growth rather than hinder it.
