Game Devs Frustrated as Sony Plans to Stop PlayStation Disc Production in 2028

Multiple reports have suggested that game makers and publishers are unhappy with Sony’s plan to end disc production on its platforms starting in 2028, and Digital Foundry’s John Linneman says those claims are grounded in real industry frustration. Speaking on the DF Direct podcast, Linneman described strong resentment over how the change affects publishers that still rely heavily on physical sales.

Quick facts

• Sony plans to stop producing game discs for PlayStation titles released on its platforms from January 2028.
• From then on, games would be digital, with physical packaging replacing discs with a redemption code for PS Store.
• John Linneman (Digital Foundry) said many developers and publishers are “very annoyed” about the shift to physical-free releases.
• Gamescom 2026 discussions reportedly reflected continued dissatisfaction, though Sony is not expected to reverse course.
• GTA VI is cited as an example that uses the code-in-box approach ahead of 2028, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
• Sony is said to have already repurposed a major European disc factory to prepare for the new approach.
• Xbox is exploring ways to preserve digital access to games you already own in physical form, while rumors point to a future Xbox console without a disc drive.

Linneman said the industry’s reaction is not neutral, claiming “many developers and people at publishing houses” are “very upset” about Sony’s move regarding the physical format. He added that multiple companies generate substantial revenue from physical sales, though he didn’t name specific studios or executives.

His comments come as earlier chatter tied the same dissatisfaction to the Gamescom 2026 environment, where attendees reportedly saw continued annoyance toward Sony’s decision. Even with that negative reaction in the open, Linneman’s framing—and the earlier reports—suggest the situation is unlikely to trigger a reversal by Sony.

What “no discs” means on PlayStation

Sony’s stated plan is to end disc manufacturing for all games released on its platforms from January 2028 onward. That means not just current PlayStation hardware, but also future systems such as PS6, would ship without discs.

Physical retail would still exist in the form of boxed copies, but the packaging would no longer include a disc. Instead, buyers would receive a code that can be redeemed in PS Store to obtain the digital version of the game.

Linneman’s broader point is that developers and publishers are being squeezed at a time when the value chain around physical products still matters to their business. The move changes how games are delivered and how physical units translate into revenue.

Examples showing the direction already

The report also points to market examples that follow this “code in box” approach before 2028. The most prominent case cited is GTA VI, where its physical release is expected to arrive without a disc.

Instead, the box is described as including a redemption code for the digital game, with availability on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. That early rollout is presented as a sign of how packaging and redemption will work in the lead-up to the 2028 cutoff.

Why it doesn’t sound reversible

While the industry reaction appears clearly negative, the news here suggests Sony is already acting as if the timeline is locked in. The update notes that Sony has converted one of its major European disc manufacturing facilities toward other products in preparation for what comes after 2028.

On the competitive side, Xbox has recently proposed an approach aimed at keeping digital access to games you already own in physical form. At the same time, rumors indicate Xbox’s next console could also ship without a disc drive, reinforcing the broader shift toward digital-only distribution.