Sony says ending PlayStation disc production in 2028 has not harmed its business and is not expected to do so in future, despite strong criticism from players and retailers. The company argues that game sales have already shifted overwhelmingly towards downloads, while acknowledging that many customers value physical media for ownership and preservation.

Sony reported that 82% of full-game software sales on PS4 and PS5 are digital. Its move also improves margins: Sony keeps all revenue from first-party games sold through the PlayStation Store and takes roughly 30% from third-party downloads, compared with lower returns from physical copies; campaigners and the UK’s Entertainment Retail Association continue to oppose the decision.