An analyst has suggested that the PS6 could launch as digital-only once PlayStation stops producing physical game discs. The claim stems from Sony’s gradual move away from discs, seen with the PS5 Digital Edition and the PS5 Slim’s optional drive. If that shift happens, the company’s next console could mark the end of an era for physical media on PlayStation.
How PlayStation’s physical disc phaseout could shape PS6
Sony has confirmed plans to discontinue new PlayStation disc releases from 2028, ending decades of physical media dating back to gaming’s earliest days.
In a blog post, the multinational conglomerate stated that new titles would remain available at retail, but sold as digital codes instead of discs. The news follows Rockstar’s announcement just days earlier that the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI will not have a physical disc release.
Sony attributed the move to changing consumer preferences and an entertainment industry that’s moving away from physical discs toward digital. “This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs. This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today,” it further stated. However, analysis from Forbes has suggested that this move could carry over and shape the next generation of PlayStation consoles.
Fans responded with intense backlash online. The post making the announcement on X has drawn an extraordinary 69,000 replies and 60,000 retweets at the time of writing.
“Makes about as much sense as us changing to digital pizzas,” the UK account for Domino’s Pizza responded to the announcement. “Yall are about to get dragged,” warned one commenter. “What are you doing to your loyal players? This is not the way,” wrote another. “I have no words, final nail in the coffin of the company I once loved,” read another comment.
