PlayStation 6 soft confirmed to launch without physical disc drive

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."

Story Q&A

Powered by TweakBot

From TweakTown's coverage of this story.

How will existing physical PS5 game owners play their discs after Sony ends disc production in January 2028?

They will not be affected immediately; Sony said the January 2028 cutoff applies to new games releasing after that date, and any physical games released before January 2028 are not affected. After that point, new game releases will be digital only and physical copies will contain a code, so owners could not rely on new discs for future releases. (Related article: "PlayStation ending physical game discs in 2028, Sony officially confirms")

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?

Sony says all physical games that release after the January 2028 cutoff will be digital only, meaning physical copies of new games released beyond that date will contain a code rather than a disc. The announcement does not affect any games with physical releases planned before January 2028.

How might the removal of a disc drive affect backward compatibility with previous PlayStation console disc-based games?

Removing a disc drive could prevent the PlayStation 6 from playing older disc-based PlayStation games unless those games are reissued digitally or supported by other backward compatibility measures. The article implies the PS6 will be digital-only for new releases after 2028, so physical backward compatibility would be limited or lost unless publishers provide digital versions.

What implications does Sony’s 2028 disc-production end have for used game resale and trade-in markets?

See answer

Want something else? Ask TweakBot.

Your questionAsk

Answering your question×

TweakBot is analyzing your question…

Couldn't get an answer

TweakBot is generating an answer

Related coverage

Was TweakBot helpful?Thanks for the feedback!

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."