PlayStation Weekly: Sony will convert the Thalgau facility's primary business from disc…
Sony Interactive Entertainment is shifting its business strategy towards digital media. The company announced the end of physical disc production for new games from January 2028 onward. Additionally, Sony will convert the Thalgau facility's primary business from disc manufacturing to producing optical microlenses.
Games and event announcements continue to roll out. Marvel's Wolverine will be released on September 15th, and Gamescom takes place from August 26th to 30th. San Diego Comic-Con 2026 will run from July 23 to 26, with Sony Interactive Entertainment having panels for MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls.
PlayStation Plus subscribers received new free games and faced some removals. Risk of Rain 2, Tropico 6, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, Source of Madness, and Cursed to Golf will leave the service on July 21.
The gaming industry is seeing some changes in business practices. EA is removing microtransactions from College Football 27 Dynasty and Road To Glory. Meanwhile, Sony explicitly states that all software is licensed, not sold, and revoked digital licenses and locked files on players' SSDs in March 2024.
Key Facts
- Sony will convert the Thalgau facility's primary business from disc manufacturing to producing optical microlenses.
- Sony's July 1 PlayStation Blog post announced the end of physical disc production for new games from January 2028 onward.
- Gamescom takes place from August 26th to 30th.
- GTA 6 will be released in November.
- PlayStation Plus subscribers can grab Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Cross-Gen Bundle, For the King II, and CrossCode starting July 7.
- The window to claim the free games closes August 3.
- Risk of Rain 2, Tropico 6, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, Source of Madness, and Cursed to Golf leave July 21.
- Essential now costs $10.99 a month, Extra $16.99, and Premium $19.99 after the May adjustment.
- San Diego Comic-Con 2026 will run from July 23 to 26.
- Sony Interactive Entertainment has panels for MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls.
- EA is removing microtransactions from College Football 27 Dynasty and Road To Glory.
Source Analysis
- playfront.de: Gamescom takes place from August 26th to 30th
- playfront.de: Marvel's Wolverine will be released on September 15th
- playfront.de: GTA 6 will be released in November
- techtimes.com: Sony will convert the Thalgau facility's primary business from disc manufacturing to producing optical microlenses
- techtimes.com: Sony's July 1 PlayStation Blog post announced the end of physical disc production for new games from January 2028 onward
- pushsquare.com: 45% of PlayStation enthusiasts are seriously considering leaving Sony for PC
- uk.pcmag.com: Sony issued a legal notice to remove over 500 films from users' libraries in the UK and multiple European regions
- uk.pcmag.com: Sony explicitly states that all software is licensed, not sold
- uk.pcmag.com: Sony revoked digital licenses and locked files on players' SSDs in March 2024
- filmdaily.co: PlayStation Plus subscribers woke up this month to the usual mix of fresh freebies and sudden exits
- filmdaily.co: Essential members can grab Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Cross-Gen Bundle, For the King II, and CrossCode starting July 7
- filmdaily.co: The window to claim the free games closes August 3
- filmdaily.co: Risk of Rain 2, Tropico 6, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, Source of Madness, and Cursed to Golf leave July 21
- filmdaily.co: Essential now costs $10.99 a month, Extra $16.99, and Premium $19.99 after the May adjustment
- gamebastion.com: San Diego Comic-Con 2026 will run from July 23 to 26
- gamebastion.com: Sony Interactive Entertainment has panels for MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls
- insider-gaming.com: Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki sold more than half of his stock in the company
- insider-gaming.com: EA is removing microtransactions from College Football 27 Dynasty and Road To Glory
- screenrant.com: The new Marvel's Spider-Man release includes a new suit inspired by Tom Holland's Peter Parker
- screenrant.com: Marvel's Spider-Man 2 was released on October 20, 2023
- pylearnkids.com: Industry insider Jason Schreier hinted that God of War: Laufey might be closer than expected
- pylearnkids.com: Santa Monica Studio is also working on a remake of the original God of War trilogy
- megagames.com: Bloomberg independently confirmed the announcement
- megagames.com: CNBC’s coverage described the decision as a “natural direction” for the company
- gamebastion.com: PlayStation Plus subscribers get Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 for $20 each
Trends
Sony's emphasis on digital media and exclusive titles continues to grow.
Implications
Sony's decision to end physical disc production for new games may affect game developers, publishers, and players who prefer physical copies.