Sony’s reported plan to stop producing physical video game discs from 2028 could make gaming more expensive and less accessible for lower-income players, industry experts have warned.

According to Decrypt, the shift towards digital-only gaming could eliminate an important source of affordable games: the second-hand market, where players purchase used titles at significantly reduced prices or resell games after completing them.

Experts said physical discs provide an alternative for consumers who cannot afford full-priced digital games or have limited access to reliable internet connections.

The potential impact is particularly significant in African markets, where PlayStation Network officially supports only South Africa.

Gamers in countries such as Nigeria often rely on foreign PlayStation accounts and international gift cards to purchase digital games, creating additional financial and account-related difficulties.

The report also highlighted the potential cost of downloading large games. In Nigeria, downloading the expected 212GB Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-load could cost between $25 and $60 in internet data alone.

At median internet speeds, the download could take almost 13 hours.

Experts warned that eliminating physical games could further widen the gap between higher-income gamers and consumers who depend on cheaper alternatives.