Sony’s announcement that it will stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs starting in 2028 has sparked plenty of discussion among collectors. While much of the conversation has focused on the end of an era for boxed games, one Reddit fan pointed out another consequence that could affect future franchises like Stellar Blade.
In a post that quickly resonated with other collectors, the user wrote:
“There goes my Stellar Blade Blood Rain disc… No more PS5 disc production in 2028. Well unless the game goes out before that. My hopes are dashed with a Stellar Blade duology physical disc collection.”
— ardeesan on r/stellarblade
The comment highlights a concern shared by many physical game enthusiasts. The concern is not just about buying games on disc, they are worried about the future of preserving complete collections of a franchise.
Sony confirmed that beginning in January 2028, all newly released PlayStation games will be digital-only, effectively ending physical disc releases for future titles. While games launching before the cutoff can still receive retail editions, anything arriving afterward won’t get a traditional disc release.
For Stellar Blade fans, that raises an interesting question.
The original Stellar Blade launched physically, making it a prized addition for collectors. However, with Stellar Blade: Blood Rain currently in development, there’s no guarantee the sequel will release before Sony’s 2028 deadline. If it slips beyond that date, fans hoping to own the entire series on disc may be out of luck.
Even if Blood Rain launches before the transition, any future sequel or trilogy finale released after 2028 would likely be digital-only. That would also eliminate the possibility of an official multi-game physical collection, a format many publishers have released to celebrate successful franchises.
It’s still too early to know Shift Up’s long-term release plans, but the Reddit post perfectly captures why Sony’s announcement means more than simply losing the option to buy games in stores.
For now, fans will have to wait for more details about Shift Up’s release schedule. Until then, Sony’s announcement has already changed how collectors are looking at upcoming PlayStation exclusives, and Stellar Blade is one of the clearest examples of why the transition matters.
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