Sony has clarified to developers and publishers that they will be able to re-order existing PlayStation discs beyond the January 2028 end-of-production date.
After last week’s announcement, Sony provided more details in a separate post on a digital platform for partners, as reported by Game File.
Sony also stated the process for ordering discs will change and publishers will have the opportunity to release new games at retail using digital codes.
In a consumer update, Sony confirmed the shift from physical to digital will not affect games released or scheduled for release on disc before January 2028.
As reported last week, Sony’s decision to end disc production was “in response to shifting trends in consumer preference and the broader entertainment industry.”
“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,” it said.
“This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.”
Alongside this news, Sony announced it will close the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita by July 2027.
Sony has reportedly started repurposing its last physical disc factory in Austria, indicating the transition to all-digital is well underway.
Several game companies expressed disappointment with Sony’s decision. Iam8bit emphasized that “physical games are vital to game preservation, ownership, and consumer choice.”
Atari told GamesIndustry.biz it “remains committed to game preservation and creating products for fans for whom collecting physical editions is an important part of their gaming experience.”
UK-based publisher Silver Lining Interactive said “there is still a large community of customers who prefer and cherish their physical game collections.”
Our contributing editor Rob Fahey explored the ramifications of Sony’s all-digital future, including a potential $1,000 price tag for the PlayStation 6 due to rising component costs.
