Sony will not officially stop producing new PS5 discs until January 2028. However, that might be too long for several publishers: They could switch entirely to digital releases as early as 2027. At least that’s what an assessment by CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski suggests, as he points to significantly more attractive profit margins in digital distribution.
CI Games Foresees a Rapid Shift in the Industry
CI Games will still release “Lords of the Fallen 2” on disc as usual in 2027. However, Tyminski expects that many other studios will no longer take this step at all. On X, he wrote that Sony’s announced end to physical media support starting in 2028 could cause disc releases to drop off significantly as early as 2027 or even sooner. According to Tyminski, the decision to release GTA 6 in a pure “code-in-a-box” format rather than on a physical disc is also likely to serve as a signal to the rest of the industry.
Sony continues to produce Blu-ray discs for PS5 games but leaves the decision to opt for a purely digital release up to individual publishers. Smaller studios, in particular, are feeling the impact of rising production costs and are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their profit targets.
The Math Behind the Shift
Tyminski has calculated why digital distribution is so much more attractive for publishers: According to his breakdown, for a $70 disc-based game, retailers take 25 to 35 percent, while distributors take another 10 to 20 percent. After deducting additional costs, the publisher is left with only about $26. With a digital release, on the other hand, that figure rises to as much as $49.
| Distribution Channel | Gross Price | Retailer/Distribution Share | Remaining Revenue for Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disc (Retail) | $70 | approx. 35–55% | approx. $26 |
| Digital (Store) | $70 | significantly lower | up to $49 |
Implications for Retailers and Collectors
This trend poses a problem for brick-and-mortar retailers. Tyminski points to GameStop, which is struggling to attract new customers even with PS5 pre-orders for GTA 6 available. As a result, other retailers may be forced to scale back game sales in favor of collectibles and merchandise.
This trend continues to cause discontent among fans and collectors. Negative comments are piling up on PlayStation’s social media channels, with some critics even claiming they’ve canceled their PS Plus subscriptions. A recurring argument is that, strictly speaking, you never truly “own” digital games—you merely purchase a license. Sony’s recent removal of 551 movies and TV shows from user accounts is often cited as an example. Regardless of the criticism, many publishers are increasingly eager to phase out physical PS5 games sooner than planned, as the focus is shifting more toward profit.
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You can find more background information in our article on Sony’s official phase-out of PS5 discs starting in 2028. To see how the competition is reacting to this move, check out our piece on why Nintendo might be the last console manufacturer to stick with physical games. If you’re still looking for new games, check out our roundup of the best PS5 games.
