Sony is unlikely to reverse its decision on physical discs as its digital transition has been in the works for "some time"

Yesterday, Sony confirmed that it will stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs starting in January 2028. From that point onward, all new PlayStation titles will only be available in digital form through the PlayStation Store and other digital retailers.

The announcement sparked plenty of backlash from the gaming community. Many players still prefer owning physical copies, whether it's for collecting, preserving games, or simply having the option to resell them later. Some fans were hoping that enough criticism would convince Sony to reconsider its decision. However, a new report suggests that this is extremely unlikely.

The transition is already underway

According to reports from Austria, Sony has already been preparing for this transition behind the scenes for "quite some time." The company's major production facility in Thalgau, which currently manufactures PlayStation game discs, has already begun restructuring its operations ahead of the 2028 change.

The plant currently produces around 600,000 discs every day, with PlayStation discs accounting for roughly half of that production. Once Sony stops releasing new games on physical media, company officials expect that only a small portion of the factory's current disc-related work will remain.

Rather than waiting until 2028 to make changes, Sony has already started investing in new manufacturing technology. According to the report, the company has spent around €30 million on equipment designed to produce optical microlenses, which are used in products that require highly precise light control. One example mentioned is vehicle lighting systems that can project turn signals or other indicators directly onto the road.

The transition is already underway, as employees who previously worked on disc production have reportedly started moving into testing and development roles for the new manufacturing process. Sony also plans to retrain its workforce so the facility can shift its focus without reducing employee numbers. Mass production of these optical microlenses is expected to begin as early as 2027, well before PlayStation game disc production officially ends.

This is one of the biggest reasons why Sony is unlikely to reverse its decision. The company isn't simply announcing a future policy, as it has already invested heavily in replacing part of its existing manufacturing business. With employees being reassigned, new production lines installed, and long-term planning already in motion, it is very unlikely that Sony will go back to making game discs on a large scale.