Sony Reassigns Factory Workers as Physical PS5 Games Production Ends
Sony has already begun plans to reassign staff at a major disc production plant, following its decision to kill off production of physical PS5 games.
Sony has already begun plans to reassign staff at a major disc production plant, following its decision to kill off production of physical PS5 games.
Sony is reassigning employees at its disc production facility in Thalgau, Austria, as the company shifts to digital-only production for PS5 games starting in January 2028. The factory currently produces 600,000 discs daily, half of which are PS5 games. However, production will be significantly reduced, with staff transitioning to manufacturing optical microlenses instead.
The CEO of Sony DADC, Dietmar Tanzer, stated that PlayStation accounts for 50% of the factory's volume, with new orders making up 20%. This move has sparked concerns over the future of disc launches and the impact on employees. Despite backlash from fans and developers, Sony's decision reflects a broader industry trend towards digital distribution.
Analysts suggest that Sony's shift to digital-only for PS5 games hints at a disc-less future for the potential PS6 console. This strategic move aims to control costs by eliminating disc drives, with the possibility of an add-on drive for playing older games. Microsoft is also reportedly considering a disc-free version of its next-gen Xbox, alongside a disc-to-digital feature for converting physical copies to digital licenses.
