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Sony's decision to kill off PlayStation discs could destroy the $7.2bn used game market, according to analysts
Eurogamer.net • • technology
Key Points:
- Sony plans to cease manufacturing PlayStation discs by January 2028, threatening the $7.2 billion global second-hand video game market, which includes pre-owned games, consoles, and accessories.
- North America leads the second-hand market with 36.8% of revenue, followed by Europe at 28.3%, and Asia Pacific at 24.6%, with major retailers like GameStop, Amazon, eBay, and CEX dominating sales.
- The shift to digital-only games is expected to devastate brick-and-mortar retailers and reduce consumer choice, as affordability drives many players to the second-hand market, which will no longer be available for future releases.
- Analysts predict the second-hand market will continue to decline and eventually disappear, with players preferring a gradual transition to digital rather than having physical options forcibly removed.
- Sony's move signals that the upcoming PS6 may lack a disc drive, likely supporting only digital game copies, although existing physical discs will remain unaffected for now.
