The writing is on the wall for PlayStation and its plans for an all-digital gaming future–or on the PlayStation 5 packaging, to be exact. With Sony ending the production of game discs in January 2028, the PS5 manufacturer has reportedly begun to slap warning stickers on restocks of its console, informing consumers that games will only be available in a digital format 17 months from now.
Spotted by YouTuber Behind the Games–who says the console was purchased by a “trusted source” they know–the sticker includes the following disclaimer:
“From January 2028, newly released games on PlayStation will be available for purchase on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital format only. Discs for games released before January 2028 can continue to be played on this console.”
The sticker looks legitimate–and Behind the Games has uploaded a video of it since then–as the same text can be found on the listings for PS5 consoles through European Amazon storefronts, likely so that Sony can comply with consumer laws in that region.
The company’s decision to no longer offer a physical version of PlayStation games has been met with significant backlash so far, with many users calling for a boycott of the company and constantly replying to social media posts with calls for Sony to reverse its decision. Despite the ongoing campaign, Sony is still moving ahead with its plans, with Sony CFO Lin Tao commenting on the backlash during a Q&A session for investors this week.
Tao acknowledged that the announcement had been met with “strong views,” but she said that Sony would continue to “cautiously” proceed. The company has in recent months noted how the ratio between physical and digital game sales has only widened in recent years, and in the last quarter (covering April to June), 82% of its game sales were digital.
