Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most anticipated game of the year (and perhaps of the decade, given the agonizing wait since the franchise’s last entry in 2013). But earlier this week, rumors started swirling that Rockstar Games would release the title via digital download only, with physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 being reduced to a box with a download code inside rather than a game disc.
Then, on July 1, Sony dealt an even more devastating blow to lovers of physical media: Starting in 2028, new games on PlayStation consoles will only be released digitally, with all physical disc production being discontinued.
Rockstar and Sony’s decisions suggest that game lovers are no longer interested in physical discs—but the swift backlash on social media tells a different story.
‘A natural direction’: Why Sony nixed the disc
In a post on the official PlayStation blog, Sony explained why it’s doing away with discs.
“This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs,” reads the post. “This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.”
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, Sony reported that 85% of full-game software sales on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were digital downloads, with just 15% of sales being physical copies.
“We’ll continue to prioritize our resources to drive innovation in how players can access games and provide choices as to where players prefer to purchase new games, whether that’s at retailers or PlayStation Store,” the blog post continued. “We remain committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience to our fans and we thank you for your continued support.”
Rockstar, meanwhile, has said via customer support that Grand Theft Auto 6 will eventually get a physical release, though not when the game comes out on November 19. “You will be able to acquire a physical copy during the following months,” reads a customer support email circulating on social media.
The physical media revival
Though Sony’s announcement claims that “consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital,” online reactions and trends across entertainment tell a different story.
Outrage from gamers erupted across social media, with gamers concerned about the lack of physical ownership over games. “We, the consumers, effectively own nothing,” one user wrote in response to Sony’s announcement. “We just rent games from you now, and you can revoke or change that rental agreement whenever you want.”
Another user worried that keeping video games out of physical stores would create a monopoly and drive up digital prices. “People will no longer have options after 2028 and will HAVE to go directly to Sony’s digital storefront and pay whatever PlayStation says,” they wrote. “Not only is their greed eliminating actual game ownership, but it’s taking away other options.”
Comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah even chimed in. “If the media we buy is only digital, it can be taken away from us at a moment’s notice with no recourse,” he wrote on social media. “Imagine that, one day your entire library of games could be deleted overnight because technically you don’t own it.”
Given the online outcry, video games could be the next major player in the physical media revival. It’s a trend that’s already come to fruition in the music industry, with vinyl record sales surpassing $1 billion in 2025 for the first time ever, marking the 19th consecutive year of growth for the vinyl business.
And in the world of TV and movies, fans have been frustrated by series being removed from streaming platforms without ever getting a digital release, meaning they’re essentially inaccessible through legitimate means. That’s led to a renewed interest in DVDs: 2025 saw a years-long trend start to reverse, with physical sales declining just 9% compared to drops of 20% in 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, boutique Blu-Ray companies like Criterion have reported “significant year-over-year increases” in sales, as told to The LA Times.
So far, video games have lagged in the physical revival relative to other media—but PlayStation’s announcement may have helped the gaming industry join the trend. “Take this as a sign to build up a physical library again guys,” one user advised in a viral post. “That goes for games, books, movies and music. We literally don’t own anything anymore. These subscriptions are piling up. I’m sick of it.”
