TOKYO—Sony has begun including a notice on the packaging of
new PlayStation 5 consoles hinting at a potential major shift in video game
distribution starting in 2028.
The message on the boxes reads: “Starting in January 2028,
newly released PlayStation games will be available for purchase on the
PlayStation Store and at retail stores only in digital format.”
The warning has generated attention among PlayStation users
because it suggests the company is further transitioning to a completely
digital distribution model for new releases.
If this comes to pass, players could still find physical
copies of previous titles, but new releases from January 2028 onward would be
sold exclusively as digital downloads, according to the notice.
The change would represent another step in the
transformation of the video game industry, which in recent years has become
increasingly reliant on digital platforms. The PlayStation Store would thus
become the primary channel for acquiring the company's new titles.
For now, the message on the boxes represents the most direct
information about Sony's planned policy for 2028, although we will have to wait
for future announcements from the company to learn the exact scope of the
measure and how it will affect physical editions and retail outlets.