The PlayStation 5 has been an enormous success for Sony and is approaching 100 million units sold. With Grand Theft Auto 6 expected to be one of the biggest game launches in history and currently targeting PS5 while skipping PC at launch, the console could see another major boost in sales. However, Sony's recent price increases and controversial decisions surrounding physical media have created growing frustration among PlayStation fans.

The ongoing RAM shortage and other global economic pressures have contributed to higher hardware costs, making PS5 consoles more expensive than ever. Sony has also announced plans to end production of PS5 game discs in January 2028, a move that could signal an increasingly digital future for PlayStation.

Now, Sony appears to be making sure customers are aware of that change before purchasing a disc-based PS5.

As spotted by Behind the Games, some newer PS5 boxes reportedly include a warning specifically for consoles equipped with a disc drive. The notice explains that starting in January 2028, newly released PlayStation games will only be available digitally through the PlayStation Store and retailers. However, physical discs for games released before January 2028 will reportedly remain playable on PS5 consoles.

The warning reads:

"Important notice: from January 2028, newly released games on PlayStation will be available for purchase on PS Store and at retailers in digital format only. Discs for games released before January 2028 can continue to be played on this console."

The warning primarily affects PS5 models with built-in disc drives, since those consoles are specifically designed to play physical games. Digital PS5 owners would obviously be unaffected, while owners of digital models with a separately purchased disc drive may also be affected by the eventual end of new physical releases.

The addition of the warning could influence purchasing decisions. Someone planning to keep buying physical games for years might now prefer to avoid a disc-based PS5 altogether, particularly if they believe the console's disc drive will become less useful over time.

The PS5 Digital Edition is also cheaper than the disc-based model, making the decision even more interesting for consumers who have already embraced digital purchases.

Sony's move is understandable from a business perspective. Digital games represent the overwhelming majority of game sales, and eliminating physical production reduces manufacturing and distribution costs. However, the decision has raised concerns about game preservation and the future of the used-game market.

Physical games give players the ability to resell, trade, lend and collect their games, while digital purchases are generally tied to individual accounts and storefronts. Eliminating new physical releases could therefore make gaming less flexible and potentially more expensive for consumers who rely on used games.

For now, Sony appears committed to its plans. The new packaging warning suggests the company wants prospective PS5 buyers to understand exactly what the future of physical PlayStation games could look like before they make their purchase.

Whether that warning has any meaningful impact on PS5 sales remains to be seen. With Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon, Sony may have little trouble convincing consumers to buy its console regardless of the future of physical media.