Dragon Age: Origins

The Death Of PlayStation Discs Was Decades In The Making

The transition toward an all-digital gaming ecosystem, culminating in Sony’s 2028 decision to discontinue PlayStation discs, represents the final stage of a decades-long industry effort to eliminate the used game market.

• Sony’s decision to phase out PlayStation discs by January 2028 marks the final stage of a decades-long industry effort to eliminate the used game market and transition to fully digital distribution.
• In the late 2000s, major publishers like EA implemented 'Project $10' and online passes to capture revenue from used game sales, requiring secondary buyers to pay a $10 fee to unlock online features.
• The industry's attempt to enforce digital rights management (DRM) on physical consoles peaked in 2013, when Microsoft faced significant backlash for plans to restrict used games on the Xbox One, leading to a public reversal.