Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Sony abandons physical games - no PS5 disc-based releases from January 2028
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease production of physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028, shifting entirely to digital releases. This decision impacts new first and third-party games and aligns with perceived consumer preference for digital media. Concurrently, the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita will close in July 2027.
Ex-PlayStation boss explains why PC releases were a good thing, as reports claim Sony is ending blockbuster launches
Former PlayStation President Shawn Layden explained the strategic benefits of releasing games on PC, even if delayed, to increase intellectual property awareness across various media. Reports suggest Sony may be shifting away from this strategy, focusing PC releases on live-service titles rather than narrative blockbusters, a move Layden believes could hinder future projects.
PlayStation to end physical disc production in January 2028
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease production of physical discs for PlayStation games starting in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This decision reflects a trend towards digital-only releases, as seen with Grand Theft Auto 6, and coincides with the closure of the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita.
In a huge blow to game ownership, PlayStation confirms end of physical games — mere days after GTA 6's…
Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that PlayStation will cease releasing new games on physical discs starting January 2028, citing a shift in consumer preference towards digital media. This decision, which impacts the concept of physical game ownership, comes shortly after Rockstar Games' move to digital-only releases for Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders and follows PlayStation's recent removal of purchased digital movies from user libraries.
PlayStation is going all-digital – physical disc production to end in 2028
Sony will cease production of physical game discs for all new PlayStation console games starting January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This move aligns with consumer preferences for digital media and indicates that future PlayStation consoles will likely be digital-only. The company will continue to support retail sales through the PlayStation Store.
PlayStation Store on PS3 and Vita to shut down 5 years after Sony first decided against it – starting as soon as…
Sony Interactive Entertainment is officially closing the PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita consoles. The closures will begin in August 2026 for some Latin American and Middle Eastern countries, with a wider closure for all other regions in July 2027. This decision follows a previous reversal in 2021 when Sony initially planned to shut down these digital storefronts.
PS3 and PS Vita PlayStation Stores Shutting Down for Good
Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced the complete closure of the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita consoles. The stores will begin shutting down in phases starting August 2026 in certain regions, with a full closure for all other countries scheduled for July 2027. Sony cited the inability of these older platforms to support updated commerce and payment processing systems as the reason for the closures.
Sony will no longer produce discs for PlayStation games starting in January 2028, citing "consumer preferences" as the reason why
Sony will cease production of physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This decision is attributed to changing consumer preferences and the broader industry trend towards digital media. While physical discs will be discontinued, games will still be available digitally through the PlayStation Store and at retailers.
PlayStation ending production of physical software in January 2028
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease production of physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028, reflecting a shift towards digital distribution. This decision aligns with changing consumer preferences and industry trends, impacting games released before the cutoff date. The company remains committed to providing diverse purchasing options for players.
PlayStation Discs Coming to an End, Sony Confirms
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease production of PlayStation discs in January 2028, citing shifting consumer preferences towards digital media. Following this date, new games will only be available digitally through the PlayStation Store or at retailers. This change is expected to impact the design of the upcoming PlayStation 6 console.
An update on PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita
Sony Interactive Entertainment will be closing the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita consoles. The closures will begin in select markets in late 2026, with global closures for both platforms in July 2027. Players will still be able to redownload previously purchased content after the store closes.
Physical disc production ending in January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles
Sony Interactive Entertainment will discontinue physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles starting January 2028. Following this date, new titles will only be available digitally through the PlayStation Store and at retailers. This change reflects a shift in consumer preference towards digital media.
PS5 System Update for July 2026 Is Live, Don’t Get Your Hopes Up
Sony Interactive Entertainment has released a new PlayStation 5 system software update, version 26.04-13.42.00, for July 2026. The update, weighing around 1 GB, is described as improving system performance and stability, with no major new features for players. Notably, it does not fix the broken 'Recently Played' section but does include a Grand Theft Auto VI overlay on the PS5 Welcome Hub and PS Store search bar.
Mario Kart World Gets Two New Knockout Tour Courses, Photo Mode Stickers in Latest Update
Nintendo has released update version 1.7.0 for Mario Kart World, adding two new Knockout Tour courses, Drill Rally and Boomerang Rally, and new stickers for Photo Mode. The game, a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, was released in June 2025 and has sold over 14 million copies. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida commented on the game's $80 price tag, noting its value proposition.
PlayStation Games Will Go Fully Digital From January 2028 Onwards
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that PlayStation 5 games will transition to a fully digital-only format starting January 2028. This decision, driven by changing consumer preferences and industry trends, means physical disc releases will cease, with retail copies becoming codes sold in boxes. This move aligns with the growing popularity of digital distribution and may indicate future PlayStation consoles will omit disc drives entirely.
More Expensive Consoles Don’t Result in Better Games, Says Former Naughty Dog Artist
Former Naughty Dog artist Del Walker argues that more expensive next-generation consoles will not lead to better games, citing ballooning development costs and complexity. He suggests that limitations foster creativity and that rising budgets contribute to layoffs. Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino acknowledged that absorbing component cost increases is unrealistic, hinting at potential price hikes.
Fresh off of dumping on Xbox's flailing, former Sony exec says PlayStation's pullback from PC releases…
Former Sony executive Shawn Layden criticized both Xbox's strategy and Sony's recent pullback from releasing games on PC. He argued that bringing PlayStation titles to PC was crucial for brand awareness across other media, even if it didn't directly lead to hardware sales. The discussion also touches on the current strength of the PC market and Microsoft's continued commitment to PC releases for its exclusives.
PlayStation CEO promises to "revitalise the market" with more live service games
PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino stated in an interview that the company intends to invest more in live service games to "revitalize the market." This comes despite recent underperformances and layoffs in the live service genre, including at Bungie. PlayStation has had mixed success with live service titles, with hits like Helldivers 2 and notable failures like Concord.
PS6 could cost nearly $1,000 USD just to produce
A leaker suggests the PlayStation 6 could cost nearly $1,000 USD to produce due to rising component prices, particularly for RAM and SSDs driven by the AI boom. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino indicated that the company may not absorb all increased costs, implying higher retail prices for future consoles. This trend is also impacting sales of current-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Opinion: Everything hurts and no one knows when the pain will end
The article discusses the ongoing financial struggles and mass layoffs within the game industry, attributing them to a combination of economic factors, executive mismanagement, and alleged abuses of power. The author, Bryant Francis, shares personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the constant stream of bad news and emphasizes the need for the industry to learn from past mistakes.
