The next generation of gaming consoles is fast approaching, and things are about to shift yet again. The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S era brought us closer to an all-digital world, where no more physical games would grace the shelves of game stores. This is thanks in part to all-digital versions of these consoles. Along with this, Nintendo leaped forward by selling “physical games” that are just codes in a box. To top it all off, Rockstar recently shared news that GTA 6 physical copies will hold a digital code instead of a disc.
This shift has made many wonder what the future of physical copies looks like. Well, both Microsoft and Sony have an answer to this, but they are a bit different. Where one wants to preserve physical gaming media, the other wants it erased.
Sony’s Plans for the Digital Future
Starting with Sony, earlier today, the company revealed that in 2028 it will be ceasing the distribution of physical games. In a post released on the PlayStation Blog, the company stated, “As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028.”
At the start of 2028, there will be no more physical PlayStation games, as everything will be moved over to the digital storefront. While Sony has stated that “games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers,” it did not say in what form the retailers would receive these codes.
At one point, retailers such as GameStop were able to sell digital codes that were printed at the register; however, this was stopped in 2019. It is unclear if the company will return to this system in 2028, or if it will continue the method of providing download codes in boxes – a practice many have stated is counterintuitive.
Microsoft’s Plans for the Digital Future
On the other hand, Microsoft has shared details about a program it is calling “disc-to-drive.” This program will allow players to keep their physical library, but transfer it into a digital format, giving them access to their games so long as they have the disc.
Unfortunately, if you are a fan of the Xbox 360 era of gaming, the feature will only work on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S discs. Essentially, the goal is to place the disc in the system, and the consumer will receive a digital entitlement that is locked to the disc. As shared by The Verge, “This digital entitlement is tied to the specific disc, and it will move from account to account if you swap the physical game with a friend or log in to a different Xbox profile.”
Essentially, you will keep the entitlement, but it can be transferred to anyone who has the disc. The entitlement is tied to the specific disc used, so make sure you don’t sell or trade it, as the disc will be required to play the game.
