Sony has announced it will cease production of physical PlayStation 5 discs by January 2028, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from gamers who fear higher prices, loss of ownership, and negative effects on second-hand retailers like CeX. The decision comes alongside the shuttering of older digital storefronts, compounding concerns about the industry's direction.
End of an era for physical media
The Thursday letters page of GameCentral featured multiple readers expressing dismay. One reader, DB, wrote: 'Gutted that Sony are going to stop the sale of physical games in January 2028. This will mean a change in the way I buy games. I’ve written recently how I delay in buying games rather than buying them new. I think this might mean I’ll be more cautious when buying them digital rather than physical as they can’t be traded or sold.' He added that he recently completed the Mafia game and traded it at CeX, which would be impossible with digital. He also questioned how CeX would be affected, as a significant portion of its business involves games.
Gamers vow to abandon PlayStation
Another reader, Simon, declared: 'With the news of the end of physical discs on the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation 5 will be my last ever PlayStation console.' He criticised the 'you will own nothing and be happy' future and noted the irony of Sony shutting older digital storefronts in the same announcement. 'I’m speechless at the whole thing and the future isn’t very bright for gaming. I will just go retro and begin picking up all those games down the years on more recent consoles I never bothered with.'
Criticism of digital-only strategy
A reader signing as Euclidian Boxes wrote: 'So, hot on the heels of GTA 6 being a code in a box, Sony’s announced it’ll stop producing physical discs by 2028. Then an additional slap in the face of announcing they’re shutting down two online shops too. Effectively announcing you’ll have no choice to buy digital, and they’ll take that away from you whenever they fancy it. See their removal of all those films for further details.' He imagined Sony executives chuckling, 'What are they going to do? Buy an Xbox?'
Impact on pricing and consumer choice
Reader Mark questioned whether prices would drop without physical production: 'I do have to wonder, now they’ve scrapped physical discs in favour of code in the boxes, if they will lower the prices on games? Or will they still keep them the same prices and wonder why no one are buying new games anymore?' GameCentral responded: 'There’s not a chance in Hades of them lowering software prices. Maybe there’ll be some small change in how sales work but in any case developers generally don’t get any cut of profits from game sales. Most are paid only a flat rate by publishers (or are owned by them), with a few bonus conditions if they’re lucky.'
Long-time gamers feel alienated
Laj105, a gamer in their 40s, expressed deep frustration: 'The decision by Sony to abandon physical media (and shutter two of their own digital stores at the same time) feels like the final kick in the teeth to gamers like me.' They noted that games are often released unfinished or with significant DLC, and that major studios like Naughty Dog have not released a new experience almost six years into the PS5's lifecycle. 'I can’t even say I’m surprised at Sony’s decision; digital sales are on the up, and they’ve had no real competition in the console space for at least two generations now. With gaming hardware expected to continue ramping up in price, this genuinely feels like the end for me: the product simply doesn’t give me enough joy to justify spending £1,000+ on hardware and £70+ a pop on games that I can’t resell.'
Broader concerns about digital ownership
Reader Paul C. highlighted Sony's simultaneous deletion of digital films from PSN accounts: 'First the deleted films (films paid for by the customer, I might add) and now the announcement that physical games are no more from January 2028. Might as well get all the negative stuff out of the way on the same day.' GameCentral added that Sony is also closing the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita.
Nintendo Switch 2 software lineup debated
In other letters, reader Pigfish2 defended the Switch 2's software lineup, citing Mario Tennis Fever, Pokémon Pokopia, Yoshi And The Mysterious Book, and Star Fox as great games. However, GameCentral noted that none of those four games were developed by Nintendo internally, calling support from internal developers 'underwhelming, especially this year.'
Digital Foundry analysis defended
Responding to a previous letter questioning Digital Foundry's ability to analyse graphics from promo images, reader PjDonnelli argued that Digital Foundry's expertise allows them to determine graphical techniques and performance potential. GameCentral countered that the promo images were random and not gameplay-related.
Sony copying Xbox and pad ergonomics
Paul C. also commented on Sony copying Xbox features like the Achievement system (which became Trophies) but noted Sony never copied the ergonomically superior Xbox controller. He prefers the Xbox Series X pad and has been an Xbox fan since the original Xbox.
Inbox also-rans
Reader Bootles suggested Sony might be helping Xbox bury bad news about layoffs by distracting with the all-digital announcement. Regal Knight noted that Arkane's closure was unsurprising, saying they will never make a game like Dishonored again.
