Sony's announcement that it will stop producing physical discs for PlayStation games in 2028 suggests that the upcoming PlayStation 6 and Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will be digital-only devices. Analysts anticipate these consoles will launch in 2028.
This prediction stems from reactions by several industry analysts to Sony's news. Mat Piscatella, senior director at Circana, stated that it is now reasonable to assume both the PS6 and Project Helix will be exclusively digital. He contrasted this with Nintendo's likely continued support for physical cartridges for the Nintendo Switch and its successor.
"Physical media in video games will only last so long as the console manufacturers allow it to, and we’re now one step closer to its death. It’s a sad day in the world of video games," Piscatella commented. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games echoed this sentiment, agreeing that Nintendo would likely maintain physical releases for a while longer and suggesting Xbox would follow PlayStation's trajectory away from discs. "Would anybody be surprised if XBOX now did the same as PlayStation with their next hardware?" Toto asked.
Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Ampere Analytics, also indicated a digital-only future for the PS6. He wrote that the standard PS6 model will not include a physical media disc drive, which would help Sony reduce manufacturing costs. Harding-Rolls speculated that an optional external disc drive might be offered to allow play of older PS4 and PS5 games on disc, though he acknowledged potential complexities and gamer frustration with such a setup. A solution for transferring older physical media to digital licenses could potentially mitigate some of these issues.
Harding-Rolls further inferred from the January 2028 discontinuation of physical disc production that the PS6 will likely launch towards the end of that year, aligning with previous expectations for a late 2027 or early 2028 release window for the next console generation.
In addition to the cessation of physical game sales, Sony is also preparing to close the digital storefronts for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita next year.