Tweakers Finds 16 PS5 Games Usually Cheaper on Disc Than Digital as Sony Ends Discs in 2028
Updated
Updated · Eurogamer.net · Jul 9
Tweakers Finds 16 PS5 Games Usually Cheaper on Disc Than Digital as Sony Ends Discs in 2028
2 articles · Updated · Eurogamer.net · Jul 9
Summary
Tweakers’ review of 16 first- and third-party PS5 games found physical copies were usually cheaper than PlayStation Store versions, adding fresh evidence that Sony’s 2028 disc exit could raise costs for buyers.
Four years of Dutch pricing data showed retail prices tend to keep falling over time, while PS Store prices often stay at launch levels unless temporary sales cut them and then snap back.
First-party exclusives were the starkest case: Tweakers said they were almost never cheaper digitally, and only Horizon Forbidden West saw a permanent base-price cut, from €80 to €60.
Sony will still allow retailers to sell code-in-box or voucher versions, but ending discs effectively wipes out second-hand resale and sharing while giving Sony more control over pricing.
That shift has already drawn a large backlash, with hundreds of thousands signing a petition, and critics argue Sony could capture far more per sale—up to 54% on a $70 first-party game.
With physical discs disappearing in 2028, are PlayStation gamers facing a future where games never truly go on sale?
With antitrust lawsuits mounting, could Sony be forced to allow competing digital stores on PlayStation, shattering its all-digital future?
If you only own a license, what happens to your game library when Sony's digital-only future eventually goes dark?
Sony to End Physical PlayStation Game Discs by 2028: Digital-Only Shift Sparks Legal, Economic, and Consumer Backlash
Overview
Sony PlayStation will stop making physical game discs for new titles by January 2028, marking a major shift toward digital distribution. This decision follows a trend where digital purchases already make up most game sales, and Sony aims to innovate how players access games. The move is framed as an evolution in content delivery, but it has sparked strong reactions from investors, legal challenges, and concerns about ownership and preservation. As Sony's strategy changes, it signals a new era for gaming, where digital access and platform control become central, and the future of physical media is uncertain.