Sony has announced it will discontinue physical disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles starting January 2028, alongside a separate decision to shut down the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita in phases through 2027.
From January 2028, new PlayStation games will be available only in digital format, both on PlayStation Store and at retailers. The change does not affect games that have already been released, or that release before January 2028. Interestingly, this decision hints at a digital-only PS6, which should release around that time.
Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, said the shift reflects consumer preferences shifting away from physical discs toward digital formats. He said the transition aligns the company more closely with how most players currently access games. Sony said it will continue to prioritize resources toward improving how players access games while maintaining purchase choice between retailers and PlayStation Store.
Separately, Sony confirmed it will close the PlayStation Store on PS3 in select markets starting this year, ahead of a global shutdown for PS3 and PS Vita in 2027. Once the store closes on these devices, new content purchases will no longer be possible, though players will still be able to redownload previously purchased content after the closure date.
The regional rollout is as follows:
Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua: PlayStation Store on PS3 closes starting August 2026.
Additional Latin American and Middle Eastern countries: closure begins in late 2026.
All other countries: PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita closes in July 2027.
Shuman attributed the closures to PS3 and PS Vita not supporting the updated payment processing standards required for the store to continue operating on those devices.
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