PlayStation dropped a bombshell earlier today by announcing the end of physical discs for its consoles, starting in January 2028. With the big news of GTA 6 launching without a disc last week (when pre-orders came along), it seems that the console industry is heading into a digital-only era, spearheaded by one of the biggest game launches of all time.

It’s a blow for physical media collectors and pre-owned bargain hunters alike. On the flipside, PC gamers have long been used to digital-only media – almost all PCs these days don’t even come with a disc drive. And you’ll have to track down specific PC cases such as Fractal Design’s Pop series to even have space for drive bays where you can install a CD drive.

GOG lets you play games forever, as long as you have the files installed

GOG is a popular alternative to PC gaming stores such as Steam due to its focus on game preservation. With launchers such as Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net, etc., you are usually required to log into your account before you play a game. They act as DRM (Digital Rights Management). This isn’t the same with GOG, as the files are DRM-free, which is ideal for single-player titles.

It actually seems that GOG’s post on X above came just ahead of PlayStation’s official announcement, but either way, it’s a timely message. Thanks to its DRM-free design, even if a game disappears from the GOG store, you can still play it without ever needing to verify the files, granted that it’s already installed on your machine.

You’re also free to place those files on a disc (as long as it’s for personal use), since no internet connection is required to play. You don’t even need to launch GOG’s Galaxy Launcher to play games offline; everything is done locally. Of course, this dynamic changes for online multiplayer, though it depends on a game’s specific infrastructure.

We doubt PlayStation will be offering a similar DRM-free solution by the time it goes fully digital, but it’s something to think about in this new age of disc-less console gaming, and as GOG puts it, the way digital ownership “ought to be”.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.