Sony has confirmed that after January 2028, it will still allow some new game discs to be pressed, but only for games that have already been released. This is not a reversal of its decision to stop production of new game discs, but rather a clarification of how the transition to digital-only will work.
The news comes as a petition against the move reached 100,000 signatures, though this represents a fraction of the over 90 million PlayStation 5 consoles sold. Sony manufactures all discs for PlayStation consoles, including third-party titles, and has already repurposed its main disc-making factory, making it difficult for other companies to produce discs independently.
Details of Sony's Disc Policy
According to Sony's updated policy, after the deadline, publishers will only be able to order new copies of games that have already been released on disc. The company has not specified limits on the number of reprints, but the offer is expected to be of limited interest to publishers. Major titles like Call Of Duty and EA Sports FC 28, which are due for release near the deadline, might take advantage, but this is likely the extent of it.
It remains unclear whether Sony will make provisions for boutique publishers like Limited Run Games, which specialise in physical collector's editions. At present, there is no indication that such exceptions will be made, though this could be a potential concession to placate fans.
Industry Reaction and Hideo Kojima's Comments
Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima has spoken out against the move. Speaking at the Il Cinema in Piazza Film Festival in Italy, he expressed concern about the future of game preservation. According to a translation by Genki, Kojima said: 'Games are downloaded to the hard drive, that means the game data remains on your own hardware. However, if things shift to streaming in the future, that won’t be the case anymore. One naturally has to consider the possibility that if there is a change, the data inside will stop being distributed. And if that happens you won’t be able to watch or play the movies and games you like. That is what is frightening.'
Despite the backlash from hardcore gamers, the reality is that the majority of PlayStation users already buy games digitally. This trend is the primary reason Sony is unlikely to reverse course, even with the petition and criticism from industry figures.
Impact on the Games Industry
The move to digital-only has been met with resistance from collectors and preservationists, but Sony's decision appears firm. The company's licensing agreements with third-party publishers effectively prevent them from producing discs independently. The petition, while notable, has not gained enough traction to force a U-turn. As Sony continues to focus on its digital ecosystem, the physical game disc may become a relic of the past, with only reprints of existing titles available after 2028.
