PS6 backward compatibility with PS5 games in doubt after Sony's all-digital shift

Sony revealed that physical game production for PlayStation consoles will cease in January 2028. With the PS6 release date rumored in 2027, the manufacturer could be preparing a system that only supports digital games. While backward compatibility with PS4 and PS5 titles is likely, existing discs may have little value.

The news announced on the company’s blog came as a blow to fans of physical media. Sony added that beginning in 2028, games will be available on the “PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.” With the disc-less PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles already popular, their successor could ship without an optical drive.

PS6 specs reportedly include an AMD CPU that embraces familiar x86 CPU architecture. Given this continuity, backward compatibility with older titles is anticipated. Sony has also encouraged buyers to build an extensive collection of digital games. It’s unlikely these gamers will have to abandon their libraries.

Might the PS6 still boot discs?

As in the current generation, consumers could see a disc drive add-on. Yet the industry seems to be speeding toward an age in which physical media are relics. Still, there may be other ways to placate fans worried about stacks of useless PS5 games.

One approach is to allow owners to trade their discs for PlayStation Store licenses. However, the problem is how to prevent repeated use of the same disc for conversions.

Lacking a solution, the ability to buy and sell newer titles could be lost once the PS6 release date arrives. As the struggling GTA 6 code-in-box option hints, retailers like GameStop also face a bleak outlook.

Other concerns with an exclusive digital system include temporary licenses. Critics cite Sony's impending removal of over 550 StudioCanal TV shows and movies from customers’ libraries. Despite prioritizing backward compatibility, it’s not guaranteed that PS6 games will be playable in the future.