Sony PlayStation to Sell New Games Digitally Only From January 2028
Sony's PlayStation China website has announced that all newly released games from January 2028 will be sold exclusively in digital format, while discs of games released before that date remain playable. The company cited the higher combined costs of the full physical disc supply chain as the reason for ending disc production. Estimates show that for a standard US$70 console game, going digital-only saves about US$10.5 (approximately RMB 70) per copy sold.
Sony's PlayStation China website has been updated to announce that from January 2028, all newly released games on the platform will be sold exclusively in digital format. Game discs released before January 2028 will remain playable. Sony has decided to discontinue its physical game disc production lines, citing the relatively high combined costs generated across the entire physical disc supply chain; for game publishers, the pure-digital model offers greater profit margins.
According to estimates, for a standard-priced US$70 console game, discontinuing physical discs saves approximately US$10.5 (about RMB 70) in costs per copy sold. At the US$70 price point, each physical copy carries about US$10.5 (roughly RMB 70) in associated costs; for a US$80 blockbuster such as GTA6, the corresponding expenditure is US$12 (about RMB 80).
Why this event matters
The event has a measured impact on 2 industrys. The strongest current signal is positive for Video Games, with intensity 60/100 and 75% confidence over a medium term horizon.
Video Games
- Direction
- positive
- Intensity
- 60
- Confidence
- 75%
- Horizon
- Medium term
Physical Retail
- Direction
- negative
- Intensity
- 40
- Confidence
- 60%
- Horizon
- Medium term
Impact figures are analytical estimates that combine direction, intensity, confidence and event importance. They are not investment advice.