Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Sony to End PlayStation Discs by 2028, Embrace Digital Downloads

8/1/2026

39 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Sony will stop making PlayStation game discs from January 2028.
CFO Lin Tao said 82%-85% of PS4/PS5 purchases are digital, earn higher revenue than physical copies, and the shift has not hurt earnings or caused a negative impact.
Sony will sell physical boxes that contain a digital download code.
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen said software accounts for under 12% of sales while collectibles exceed half, making the disc phase-out irrelevant to retailer.

History

Historical Context

Apple introduced the iTunes Store on April 28 2003, offering legal downloads from all five major labels and quickly eclipsing physical sales; by May 2014 it had sold 35 billion songs and held 88 % of the U.S. download market in 2006. The same digital-first trajectory now informs Sony’s 2028 plan to cease PlayStation disc production, underscoring the industry’s shift from physical media to online distribution.

1 of 2

Story summary

Sony will stop making PlayStation game discs from January 2028.
CFO Lin Tao said 82%-85% of PS4/PS5 purchases are digital, earn higher revenue than physical copies, and the shift has not hurt earnings or caused a negative impact.
Sony will sell physical boxes that contain a digital download code.
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen said software accounts for under 12% of sales while collectibles exceed half, making the disc phase-out irrelevant to retailer.

1 / 2