Sony clarifies disc production decrease to 10%, not 90%, by 2028

Clarification on Production Decrease

Sony's discmaking division has corrected earlier reports regarding the reduction in disc production at its Thalgau plant. Previously, it was understood that the plant would decrease production by 90% by January 2028. A spokesperson for Sony DADC clarified that the actual anticipated decline in overall product volume is 10%, not a reduction down to 10% of current levels.

Implications for Disc Availability

This clarification indicates that physical PlayStation game discs will be produced for a longer duration than initially believed. While Sony still intends to cease production of new game discs after January 2028, the company will continue to fulfill re-orders for existing PlayStation disc games from publishers. This extended production capacity may be a factor in the slower transition of the plant.

Unanswered Questions and Industry Context

Sony DADC did not respond to inquiries about whether the Thalgau plant's 300 employees are still being retrained for microlens production, as reported in July. The broader industry context shows a shift away from physical media, with some major publishers not participating in Microsoft's disc-to-digital initiative. Sony has also made legal arguments regarding game ownership that suggest a move towards digital licensing over physical possession.