Sony is killing discs — and showing us why it’s a terrible idea
Sony has announced it will cease production of physical PlayStation discs by 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This move raises significant concerns regarding the long-term preservation of video games.
Why it matters
The shift to digital-only media threatens the cultural heritage of gaming, as digital storefront closures can render entire libraries inaccessible.
The future of video game preservation just took a major hit. This morning, Sony announced that, starting in January 2028, the company will no longer produce physical PlayStation discs, which means that from that moment on you can only purchase new PS5 games digitally. At the same time, Sony also announced that it’s going to start winding down the digital stores for both the PS3 and PS Vita, helpfully illustrating one of the most pertinent issues with a digital-only future for gaming: Once the stores are gone, so are the games. It’s a terrible blow for preservation of the medium.
The article presents a balanced view of corporate efficiency versus the cultural impact of digital-only media.
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