The top headline last week was Sony’s universally panned decision to end physical discs in 2028. Today, PlayStation is clarifying its stance by confirming that physical discs will still exist past 2028 but only for games released before that year.

Last week, PlayStation announced that, starting in 2028, newly released games will no longer receive a physical copy, placing the concept of ownership into jeopardy. Naturally, everyone hated the decision, from those mourning the nostalgia of owning discs to those concerned over digital ownership.

Now, via Game File, the company reportedly messaged developers to clarify that they can still re-order physical discs past 2028 for existing games. Taken plainly, this means that PlayStation won’t just let the current stock run out. However, at the same time, the continuation of discs will depend on developers ordering more copies in the future.

Sadly, this is only a small consolation for the wider decision to kill of the physical disc. Though gamers can save some of the nostalgia, the future of physical media is still bleak. Without a release on physical media, it becomes a question of whether or not gamers actually own the game they paid for, especially since publishers can easily pull a game for whatever reason.

SEE ALSO: Everyone’s angry at PlayStation’s new no-disc policy, and this is why

Sony and Microsoft are seemingly locked in a farcical battle to sink their own ship first. Just today, the PlayStation fired its most damaging salvo yet by cancelling physical games starting 2028. Not to be outdone, the Xbox is going pound-for-pound through an experimental disc-to-digital feature to digitize physical games.

According to The Verge, Microsoft is currently testing a feature which will allow users to completely digitize their collection of physical games on the Xbox One and the Series X. Upon inserting the disc, the Xbox will create a digital copy attached to the physical disc.

Being attached to the disc means that the digital copy can move from console to console. Once the disc is inserted to another console, the digital copy transfers with it.

The feature will prevent more than a single person from using the disc at the same time. It sounds similar to Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card but without the ability to lend games out to friends and family.

It’s still an experimental feature, so there’s no schedule for a global rollout yet. Still, the disc-to-digital feature sounds like an eerie prelude to Microsoft similarly eliminating physical discs for the future. If it’s any consolation (but it’s probably not), Nintendo already got the ball rolling by introducing the Virtual Game Card feature, but the Switch 2 mercifully hasn’t removed physical cartridges.

SEE ALSO: Xbox CEO admits Game Pass is too expensive right now

Sony PlayStation will stop producing physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028.

The company says the move reflects changing consumer habits. More players now buy games digitally instead of on disc.

Games released before January 2028 will not be affected. Those titles will continue to receive physical editions as planned.

After the transition, all new PlayStation games will launch in digital format only. Players can buy them through the PlayStation Store or from retailers selling digital game codes.

Sony says the shift will help it focus on digital distribution. It also wants to give players more ways to purchase games while continuing to improve the gaming experience.

The move also signals a major change for the industry.

Players will no longer be able to buy physical copies of new PlayStation games after January 2028. That could reduce the second-hand game market since digital purchases cannot usually be resold.

Collectors may also see fewer special editions that include game discs. Future collector’s editions could instead bundle digital download codes with physical merchandise.

The transition also makes reliable internet access more important. Every new game will need to be downloaded, and players may need to upgrade their storage as game sizes continue to grow.

For Sony and game publishers, the move could lower manufacturing and shipping costs. It also gives them greater control over pricing, distribution, and digital sales.

While the company did not mention game preservation, some players may also raise concerns about long-term ownership. Unlike physical discs, digital games depend on online storefronts and account access.

Sony thanked players for their continued support and said it remains committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience as the industry continues its shift toward digital.