Sony's planned cessation of PlayStation disc production in 2028 has sparked concerns about long-term game access. Beyond ownership, this shift will eliminate the market for affordable used discs, often priced significantly below digital downloads. Ars Technica analyzed 19 top-selling PlayStation games, comparing digital download prices with new and used physical disc prices.

While used discs are typically the cheapest option for most of the year, frequent and substantial discounts on the PlayStation Store often undercut even the lowest-priced used discs. This trend is expected to continue even after physical disc production ends.

The analysis revealed that the standard digital price is often a poor value, being the most expensive option for 15 out of 19 games. Notably, older titles like 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare' and 'Assassin's Creed Valhalla' were found to still be priced digitally at their original $59.99 launch price, while used discs were available for as little as $9.99.