Recently, Sony announced the discontinuation of physical media for new PlayStation games beginning January 2028. However, despite this shift towards a digital future, the external disc drive for the PlayStation 5 remains in limited supply. Consumers are only permitted to purchase one unit at a time from the official PlayStation Store, a measure that Sony attributes to high demand.
Demand for Disc Drives Persists Despite Digital Shift
Those looking to order an external disc drive from the PlayStation Store will notice a limit of one drive per order. This limitation is coupled with a notice about Sony’s planned transition to digital-only games. The statement reads: “From January 2028, newly released PlayStation games will only be available in digital format, both in the PlayStation Store and retail. Discs for games released before January 2028 will still be playable on this console.”
Interestingly, this restriction on orders is not a new measure. Users on the forum ResetEra indicates that this limit has been in place since at least November 2023. The fact that it continues after the announcement about discontinuing physical media suggests a sustained interest in disc drives.
Similar Trends from Microsoft
Microsoft appears to be following a similar path. Recent reports suggest the next generation of Xbox will launch without an integrated disc drive. Discussions are underway about solutions that would allow owners of physical games to acquire digital licenses for their titles, reinforcing the industry’s shift towards a more digital-centric model.
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Source: via Eurogamer
