Sony and Rockstar go disc-free; G2A executive defends physical game preservation

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Gaming is edging closer towards a divisive new normal, with Sony set to stop releasing physical game discs for PlayStation consoles in 2028, and Rockstar Games announcing that physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 will come with a download code in the box, rather than a disc.

Unsurprisingly, gamers aren’t happy with either development , as both cases indicate the end of any form of game ownership. Backlash online has been at its peak, notably on PlayStation’s posts on X (or frankly any of its online content ), met with furious demands for the preservation of physical copies.

Sony’s disc axe plans and Microsoft seemingly following suit also mean GTA 6 , one of the most anticipated games of all-time, likely won’t ever have a physical copy.

I spoke with Katarzyna Jakubiec, the chief business officer at G2A , an online marketplace that provides digital game keys. She told me that interest in PlayStation Store gift cards was at record levels on the site before Sony’s announcement, and even before Rockstar followed suit.

Appreciating discs while they last... (Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams) That’s great for marketplaces like G2A, but not so much for gamers. If Sony’s plans do come into effect in 2028, further growth beyond record levels for online marketplaces is increasingly likely, but simultaneously, gamers will effectively be forced into buying gift cards (and already are with GTA 6 ) as one of the only options for cheaper digital purchases, without access to cheap pre-owned copies.

That partially explains why we’re already seeing the popularity of PlayStation Store gift cards on marketplaces like Loaded and G2A remain consistently high, especially since physical copies are becoming less common — but despite potential growth in terms of G2A's site visitors and earnings once 2028 arrives, Jakubiec's alliance with gamers and their ability to make a purchasing choice is evident.

"GTA 6 pre-orders have reinforced a trend we were already seeing rather than changing the market overnight," Jakubiec said. "During the pre-sale period, PlayStation gift card purchases on G2A reached record levels and continue to grow as anticipation for the launch builds, showing that many players are planning their purchases well ahead of release rather than waiting until launch day.

"While more players are embracing digital formats for the flexibility and convenience they offer, it's equally clear that physical copies continue to mean a great deal to many gamers, whether that's because of ownership, collection, or simply the experience of buying a physical game.

"We don't see this as an either-or conversation, and in an ideal world, people should have the choice to buy games in the format that suits them best. Physical and digital both have an important place within gaming, and different people will always have different preferences."

(Image credit: Rockstar Games / Sony) Unfortunately, that's not how Sony sees it; in fact, Sony's stance aligns with the idea that more consumers are purchasing more games digitally, as it makes the controversial decision to end game discs based on 'shifting trends in consumer preference', suggesting that physical game copies are becoming obsolete.

However, the reaction online and from key game industry figures like Dan Houser (Rockstar Games co-founder), who is no longer working at the game studio, indicate that gamers aren't, and frankly, never will be, done with physical game copies — and Jakubiec shares the same sentiment.

"The reaction has been just as telling as the decision itself. It highlights how passionate and diverse the gaming community is, and why major industry decisions need to consider the different ways people choose to buy, own, and experience their games.

"Whether Sony decides to revisit its position is ultimately for them to determine," which, admittedly, would be a surprise considering the amount of online backlash Sony has ignored online since the controversial announcement.

"Whatever direction the industry takes, moments like this reinforce the need to listen to players and communicate those decisions clearly."

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