In a nutshell
- Sony CFO Lin Tao says disc production will end in January 2028, despite community pushback.
- Decision driven by the global shift toward digitalization across all media.
- Sony acknowledges gamers’ emotional ties to discs but vows to explore ways to engage fans in a digital ecosystem.
During Sony’s FY2026 Q1 earnings briefing, CFO Lin Tao addressed the company’s controversial decision to end physical game disc production for PlayStation titles starting January 2028.
Sony CFO Lin Tao Explains
Tao explained that the move reflects the broader digitalization of content across industries, not just gaming. “Digitalization of contents overall has been progressing—that’s the big factor,” she said, noting that Sony had put “a lot of thought and time” into the decision before choosing to “cautiously move this forward.”
Acknowledging the backlash, Tao admitted that Sony has received “various opinions” and “strong views” from the community. She emphasized that games are tied to fond memories and emotions, and that Sony understands the significance of discs to fans. However, he stressed that the company must adapt to the future and continue exploring how to engage gamers in a digital ecosystem.
“So when we think about the future, and we put in a lot of thought and time, and we cautiously considered this, we came to this conclusion, and we’re going to cautiously move this forward. And to this decision, we have received various opinions—people have strong views—and we understand that the community has put forth those views to us.”
“Games are loved by many people. It’s a form of entertainment that’s loved by people, and it’s connected to people’s fond memories in many cases. And so we understand those emotions. We want to consider that. And in the future digital ecosystem, how do we engage the gamers is something that we would like to continue to explore.”
The announcement is a major turning point for PlayStation, as physical discs have been a cornerstone of console gaming for decades. While the transition to digital is inevitable, Sony’s cautious tone suggests it will continue to balance innovation with respect for player sentiment.
