Sony's Decision to Kill PlayStation Discs Puts Second-Hand Market Under Threat, Analysts Say

Key Points:

• Sony will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028, shifting entirely to digital game releases in response to changing consumer preferences and industry trends.
• Analysts warn this move could effectively end the second-hand video game market, which was valued at $7.2 billion globally in 2023 and is projected to grow to $13.8 billion by 2034, as physical game sales decline sharply.
• The decision has sparked backlash from gamers and industry groups concerned about game ownership, preservation, and consumer choice, with petitions and social media campaigns urging Sony to reconsider.
• Sony’s shift to digital is financially motivated, as digital sales yield higher profit margins compared to physical copies, and the company expects minimal impact from potential subscription cancellations or consumer resistance.
• Industry experts note that digital game sales now dominate the market, with nearly 80% of PlayStation game purchases being digital in 2025, making the transition a reflection of long-term consumer behavior rather than a sudden change.