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Sony's recent decision to stop producing new disc-based games starting in 2028 has resonated widely among gamers. It now appears the changes reach far beyond the PlayStation Store itself. The company has begun reshaping its production chain, preparing for a world without physical media. It's a sign that there's likely no turning back from digital distribution. The effects of this decision will be felt by far more companies than just Sony.
Disc factories are being repurposed
Sony DADC, the company responsible for producing optical discs, has begun preparing for a new phase of operations. The main facility in Thalgau, Austria, which currently produces about 600,000 discs per day, will be converted. The company has invested roughly €30 million to start production of microlenses used, among other things, in modern electronics. According to the CEO of Sony DADC, about half of the facility’s current output is tied to PlayStation. Once new game releases on discs end, a significant portion of that volume will disappear. That is why Sony decided to ready the factory for new tasks before 2028. Similar changes have already begun in Japan. The plant there reduced its workforce and stopped producing recordable optical media. Everything suggests the decision to abandon discs was made well in advance and affects the entire supply chain. That means a return to physical game releases is becoming increasingly unlikely. Sony is consistently preparing its infrastructure for the era of digital distribution.
Retailers and the Blu-ray market will also feel the impact
The shift to digital sales will affect not only console manufacturers. The changes could also hit stores that sell boxed games hard, such as GameStop and other retail chains. Lower demand for physical releases means reduced sales and diminished relevance for traditional retail outlets. For now, films on Blu-ray discs are not threatened, as their production will continue. However, the physical media market has been steadily shrinking for several years. Companies including LG, Samsung and Oppo have already exited Blu-ray player production. There are growing questions about the future of Sony's own UHD Blu-ray players. If the trend toward digital distribution continues, additional market segments could gradually disappear. For many collectors, this marks the end of an era. The games industry is increasingly moving toward a world without physical media.
Sony's decision to stop releasing games on discs is having far broader effects than originally expected. The company is retooling its factories, and retailers as well as the entire market for physical media will feel the changes. Everything indicates that digital distribution will become the dominant way to buy games in the coming years.
source: flatpanelshd
