Sony to Stop PS Disc Production in 2028—What Happens to Physical Game Revenue?

Players have been taken aback by fresh reports that Sony will stop producing PlayStation games on disc starting in 2028. Even if the company steps away from manufacturing new PlayStation discs, the bigger question is whether that would also end Sony’s revenue tied to physical media—and the latest breakdown of how discs are made suggests the answer is more complicated than a simple “no more earnings.”

Background: a reported end to PlayStation disc production

The claim at the center of the discussion is that Sony will discontinue the production of PlayStation games on physical discs beginning in 2028. By contrast, Xbox is reportedly expected to keep offering physical media, though it may be tied to a digital license instead of functioning as a fully standalone offline product.

What the manufacturing details could mean for Sony’s cut

One key point raised is that Sony’s relationship with Blu-ray disc production may not disappear even if PlayStation disc manufacturing stops.

Stephen Totillo, cited in a recent report, highlights that many Sony game titles in most regions are produced on Blu-ray discs manufactured in Sony-owned plants. A specific factory in Austria has been singled out as the focus, with the note that it will stop producing new game discs.

Meanwhile, Xbox disc production is said to be carried out by companies such as Technicolor, which holds a license to Blu-ray technology from Sony. The report’s implication is that Sony receives a small percentage from each Blu-ray disc produced for Xbox use, thanks to that licensing arrangement.

Why this matters: Xbox exclusives on PS5

The manufacturing angle becomes especially notable when paired with Microsoft’s release decisions. Microsoft has moved toward a clearer return to exclusives—though not a full reversal—yet multiple Xbox-published or Xbox-associated titles have already landed on PlayStation 5.

Examples mentioned include Forza Horizon 5 (with a “sixth” entry reportedly on the way), Sea of Thieves, and Grounded. If Xbox physical releases continue while Sony still earns through Blu-ray licensing, Sony could benefit more from those cross-platform releases than many players might expect.

1. Sony is reported to stop producing PlayStation game discs starting in 2028.
2. Xbox is expected to continue offering physical media, potentially linked to a digital license.
3. Sony-owned disc plants in many regions are described as a major source of PlayStation Blu-ray production, with an Austrian facility expected to stop making new game discs.
4. Xbox discs are described as being produced by third parties such as Technicolor under Blu-ray licensing from Sony, which would give Sony a small per-disc share.
5. Microsoft’s strategy is described as shifting back toward exclusivity, but several major Xbox titles still reached PS5, potentially increasing Sony’s exposure to any licensing-driven disc revenue.