Sony has begun warning PlayStation 5 buyers that it will stop releasing physical game discs from January 2028, according to tech news website Neowin.
Social media users in early August spotted printed warning stickers attached to PlayStation 5 packaging, informing customers of the upcoming transition to digital-only releases.
A photograph of the label published on X by blogger BehindTGames shows an important notice stating that, starting in January 2028, new PlayStation releases will be available exclusively in digital format through the PlayStation Store and retail sellers.
A second gamer, posting under the handle samuelrgreen.bsky.social on the social media platform Bluesky, stated that an email containing the same warning arrived after purchasing a detachable disc drive for the PS5 console.
Sony clarified that existing PlayStation 5 consoles equipped with a disc drive will continue to run physical game discs normally after the 2028 cutoff date.
Phasing out physical game discs
The Japanese electronics giant originally announced in mid-summer that it would cease producing game discs starting on January 1, 2028. The news prompted a sharp negative reaction across the gaming community.
The move represents a major strategic shift for Sony Interactive Entertainment, which has offered physical media across all generations of its flagship PlayStation hardware since launching the original console in 1994.
Concerns over game collections
According to Neowin, gamers expressed dissatisfaction primarily because the elimination of physical media removes the ability to trade, resell, or collect physical game discs.
Without physical copies, players will rely entirely on the PlayStation Store, Sony's official digital media storefront, to purchase and download software directly to their console storage.
Console data security risks
Separately, gaming publication BGR previously reported on safety risks associated with reselling or discarding video game consoles without properly erasing saved account data.
BGR explained that disposing of an uncleared console could, under specific circumstances, leave personal information exposed and potentially result in a permanent account ban.
