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RIP bargain bin: The price impact of Sony’s disc-free PlayStation plan
Sony's plan to end physical PlayStation disc production by 2028 will remove the used-game market that often undercuts digital prices, according to an Ars Technica analysis of 19 current bestselling PlayStation titles. The investigation compared standard and discounted digital prices on the PlayStation Store against new and used disc prices from Amazon, GameStop and eBay, finding that the loss of cheap second-hand discs could leave players facing consistently higher costs once physical media disappears.
The analysis found the "standard" digital price was the most expensive option for 15 of the 19 games studied, with some titles six to eight years old, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and two Assassin's Creed entries, still sold digitally at their original $59.99 launch price even as used discs were available for as little as $9.99. However, periodic PlayStation Store sales, which cut standard prices by 40 to 80 percent, made downloads the cheapest option for 10 of the 19 games, sometimes beating even the lowest used disc prices by half or more, suggesting savvy shoppers who wait for sales may not lose out much once discs vanish.
In short
- Sony plans to stop making physical PlayStation discs by 2028.
- Ars Technica compared digital and disc prices for 19 bestselling games.
- Used discs are often cheaper, but PS Store sales can beat them.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Eliminating physical discs removes a crucial affordability option for budget-conscious players, particularly those without reliable internet or data caps. Currently, the used disc market creates competitive pressure that keeps digital prices honest; once this choice disappears, publishers will have reduced incentive to discount digital copies, leaving cost-conscious consumers with no recourse but to wait for periodic sales or pay full price. This shift disproportionately harms less affluent players and represents a loss of consumer choice and the right to resell products they have purchased.
The case against
Transitioning to digital distribution reduces manufacturing, shipping and storage costs whilst streamlining development and supply chains, potentially allowing publishers to invest more in game quality and faster updates. Digital storefronts already offer substantial discounts—40 to 80 percent off regularly—which can beat used disc prices; consumers willing to watch for sales will find comparable or better value. The used game market ultimately diverts revenue from creators and developers, so moving to digital-only better supports ongoing game development whilst reflecting modern consumer preference for instant, convenient access seen across music and film.
Explained simply
Sony is planning to stop manufacturing physical discs for PlayStation consoles by 2028, which will gradually eliminate the second-hand game market. Currently, used discs are often significantly cheaper than buying the same game digitally on the PlayStation Store, offering players a way to save money. Once discs disappear, this affordable option will no longer exist.
The price difference between new and used can be substantial. Research found that many PlayStation titles are still sold digitally at their original launch price years after release, whilst the same games can be bought second-hand on disc for a fraction of that cost. This means players wanting to play older titles could currently save significantly by choosing the physical version instead.
However, the outcome is not entirely clear-cut. The PlayStation Store regularly runs sales that discount games by 40 to 80 percent, sometimes making digital purchases cheaper than even the lowest used disc prices. Whether players will face higher costs overall once discs disappear may depend on whether they are willing to wait for such sales, rather than buying games immediately at full price.