Sony CFO Says Disc Phase-Out Will Proceed Cautiously
Lin Tao told Sony's Q1 2026 earnings call the shift to digital content is the main driver behind ending physical game disc production.
Sony will move cautiously ahead with its plan to end physical game disc production, chief financial officer Lin Tao said during the company's Q1 2026 earnings call.
Tao said the biggest reason for the decision is the ongoing digitalization of content overall, not just within PlayStation.
The CFO added that Sony understands the community's strong views and emotions about games, and that the company will keep exploring how to engage gamers in the future digital ecosystem.
Earlier this year, Sony said it would no longer release physical discs and would support digital downloads only for its games, with physical disc production for newly released games set to end from January 2028 onwards. Fans responded with a "no disc, no buy" campaign, with some opting to boycott PlayStation and move to Xbox or PC. Sony stayed silent through the backlash, taking a social media break before returning.
Quick answers
When will Sony stop producing physical game discs?
Sony has said physical disc production for newly released games will end from January 2028 onwards, with games supported through digital downloads only.
Why is Sony ending physical disc production?
CFO Lin Tao said the biggest reason is the ongoing digitalization of content overall, not just for PlayStation.