PlayStation Halts Physical Discs From 2028: Why Are Games Still $70 Despite No Shipping Cost?

It’s officially the end of an era, PlayStation fans, as Sony is all set to phase out physical discs. That’s right, while the community was criticizing Rockstar Games for skipping out on a disc version for GTA 6, Sony has come out and confirmed that PlayStation games will no longer be released on discs starting in 2028.

Considering the industry’s shift towards digital-only games, it really isn’t a shocking move. However, it raises one big question: if games don’t need printing, packaging, or shipping anymore, why are they still priced at $70? With physical production costs effectively gone, shouldn’t digital games be cheaper?

A Digital-Only PlayStation Should Mean Cheaper Games

Over on the official PlayStation blog, Sony has announced that it will stop producing game discs for new PlayStation releases starting in January 2028. What this means is that from this date, every new title launching on the PlayStation 5 and the eventual PlayStation 6 will be available as a digital download through the PlayStation Store or via digital codes purchased at retailers. According to Sony, the decision reflects changing consumer habits, with more players choosing digital games over physical media.

To be fair, the numbers do really back up Sony’s decision. Sony’s 2025 report revealed that physical games accounted for just 3% of its revenue, which is the lowest figure the company has ever recorded. Another 2023 industry study (via Twice The Bits) found that 83% of console games were purchased digitally. It’s easy to see why digital games are favored, as there’s no waiting for shipping and faster broadband speeds have made downloading massive titles more convenient than ever before.

A move to digital-only means that manufacturing discs, printing cover art, packaging, shipping, and retail distribution are no longer something publishers would have to deal with. However, the question here is, why are digital games still priced like physical ones then? Digital releases provide higher profit margins, and the fact that developers don’t have to deal with the aspects of physical releases anymore should mean that they’re saving even more money. It simply doesn’t make sense why consumers aren’t seeing the benefits of going digital only in terms of game prices.

What’s worse is that this shift to an all-digital future gives Sony far greater control over pricing as well. Since physical copies won’t be a thing anymore, players lose the ability to shop around retailers for discounts or wait for stores to clear inventory. What’s going to happen is that you’ll pay whatever price is listed on the PlayStation Store unless Sony decides to run a sale. Physical discs can be traded, sold, or bought used at a fraction of the launch price, but digital games are permanently tied to your account. Once you’ve purchased a game online, there’s no way to resell or exchange it.

Let’s not forget the fact that a digital-only future means you’re at the mercy of Sony, as whatever you own will never truly be yours. We’ve already seen this happening with Sony removing several Studio Canal films (via IGN) purchased through the PlayStation Store from users’ libraries, despite customers having paid for them. If PlayStation really wants to go all out with digital-only games, the least Sony could do is pass some of those cost savings onto players. There’s just little justification for these digital games to cost $70 or even 80$.

Sony is Pulling the Plug on PS3 and PS Vita

The PlayStation Store would no longer be available on PS3 and PS Vita. | Credits: Sony

If Sony’s digital-only push hasn’t scared you enough, the company has another announcement that should ring a bell. Alongside its plans to phase out physical game discs, Sony has also confirmed that it’s going to shut down the PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita starting this year. Once that happens, owners of those consoles will no longer be able to buy new digital games. However, Sony has said that players will be able to download the content they’ve already purchased for the “foreseeable future”.

So, what’s the concern? Well, imagine it’s 15-20 years into the PlayStation 6’s lifespan. Considering it’s digital-only, and one day Sony decides it’s time to retire the PlayStation Store for the console, it means no new games for you. The only games you’ll have access to are the ones you’ve already bought, and even that depends on Sony to keep those downloads available. As there’s no physical media or disc drive, you won’t be able to get any other game, whether online or at retail. We’re heading towards a future of games where everything depends on PlayStation remaining online, and that’s terrifying.

With that said, what do you think about PlayStation’s latest announcement? Let us know in the comments below.