Sony adds PS5 box warning: new games go digital in 2028

Sony has started shipping PlayStation 5 retail boxes that carry a label warning buyers that starting in January 2028, new PlayStation game releases will be available only in digital format. The label appears on units leaving warehouses and on boxes reaching customers.

The label reads: “IMPORTANT NOTICE: Starting in January 2028, new PlayStation game releases will be available for purchase on PlayStation Store and through retailers exclusively in digital format. Game discs released before January 2028 will continue to be compatible with this console.”

Sony confirmed it will end production of PlayStation game discs and will not change that plan despite backlash from some players who prefer physical copies. The company set January 2028 as the cutoff for new disc releases; discs issued before that month will still play on the PS5.

Physical game sales have declined over several years. Major publishers report most sales now come from digital stores. After 2028, retailers are expected to sell new releases as download codes or preinstalled content rather than physical discs.

Reactions among players have varied. Some buyers raised concerns about ownership, resale and long-term preservation of games. Other players pointed to the convenience of digital purchases and the growing use of online storefronts.

The label and Sony’s confirmation leave open questions about disc support in future consoles. Sony has not detailed how discs will be handled when a successor PlayStation is released or whether a disc drive will be included in future hardware.