PlayStation 6 soft confirmed to launch without physical disc drive

Sony has officially given the execution date for physical disc games, and soft confirmed the PlayStation 6 is launching without a disc drive.

PlayStation 6 soft confirmed to launch without physical disc drive
Comment IconFacebook IconX IconReddit Icon
Tech and Science Editor
Published
1 minute & 45 seconds read time
TL;DR: Sony will stop producing physical game discs by 2028, signaling that the PlayStation 6 will launch without a disc drive. This shift reflects consumer preference for digital media and aims to reduce console production costs, marking a significant change in the gaming industry's approach to physical game distribution.
Voice: Jak Connor
0:00 / 2:06
Use left and right arrow keys to seek audio.

PlayStation has announced it will be ending production of physical game discs in 2028, which is now perceived as the new placeholder date for the earliest we will see the PlayStation 6.

Sony announced in a new blog post that PlayStation is ending production of physical disc drives for new games in 2028, and all physical games that release beyond the January 2028 cutoff will be digital only, meaning physical copies of new games will contain a code. Sony clarified the announcement doesn't affect any games planning a physical release before January 2028.

Now, this 2028 cutoff is quite an important piece of information, as Sony informing developers/publishers now that it will no longer be supporting physical discs beyond this date soft confirms that its next platform, which will be due for release by that time, won't have a physical disc drive. By doing this, Sony can reduce the cost of materials for the new console, which was only recently rumored to be currently exceeding $1,000 for the standard PlayStation 6.

Additionally, Windows Central's Jez Corden recently commented on the PlayStation news, writing, "Don't expect Xbox Helix to have a disc drive either btw."

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 01
How will existing physical PS5 game owners play their discs after Sony ends disc production in January 2028?
Click to reveal answer
Question 02
Will collectors still be able to buy limited-run physical editions after the 2028 cutoff or will all new physical releases be replaced by codes only?
Click to reveal answer
Question 03
How might the removal of a disc drive affect backward compatibility with previous PlayStation console disc-based games?
Click to reveal answer
Question 04
What implications does Sony’s 2028 disc-production end have for used game resale and trade-in markets?
Click to reveal answer

Have a question not listed here? Ask below and TweakBot will answer it instantly.

It appears the next generation of consoles will be a major shift in what gamers currently know their console to be, and in many ways it will be the end of an era. For many gamers, the news of physical disc games officially being on death row will be saddening, including myself, but according to Sony, the decision is a no-brainer as "This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs."

Photo of the PlayStation 5 Console 1TB

Best Deals: PlayStation 5 Console 1TB

Prices last scanned 1 hour and 18 minutes ago

* Prices may be inaccurate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We earn affiliate commission from any Newegg or PCCG sales.

Tech and Science Editor

Email IconX IconLinkedIn Icon

Jak joined TweakTown in 2017 and has since reviewed 100s of new tech products and kept us informed daily on the latest science, space, and artificial intelligence news. Jak's love for science, space, and technology, and, more specifically, PC gaming, began at 10 years old. It was the day his dad showed him how to play Age of Empires on an old Compaq PC. Ever since that day, Jak fell in love with games and the progression of the technology industry in all its forms.

Stay Updated

Follow TweakTown for breaking tech news, reviews, and daily updates.

Add TweakTown as a preferred source on GoogleFind TweakTown on Apple News
Newsletter Subscription