Analysts Say PS6 and Project Helix Will Almost Certainly be Digital-Only - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 July 2026 / 2,955 Views
Following the announcement that PlayStation is ending new physical game discs for PlayStation consoles starting in January 2028, multiple analysts have predicted the PlayStation 6 and the next-generation Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will almost certainly be digital-only.
"It is safe to now assume that both PlayStation 6 and Project Helix will be digital only devices," said Circana Senior Director and Video Game Industry Advisor Mat Piscatella in a statement sent to Kotaku.
He does believe Nintendo will continue to produce physical cartridges for Nintendo Switch software, at least through the end of the Nintendo Switch 2 lifecycle.
"Physical media in video games will only last so long as the console manufacturers allow it to, and we’re now one step closer to its death," he said. "It’s a sad day in the world of video games."
Kantan Games Dr. Serkan Toto is in agreement with Piscatella saying, "Would anybody be surprised if XBOX now did the same as PlayStation with their next hardware?"
Niko Partners Director of Research and Insights Daniel Ahmad added, "This move guarantees that the PlayStation 6 will ship without a disc drive and Sony is embracing an all digital future. I think many expected Microsoft to make this announcement first, but Sony has beaten them to the punch."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.
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News: Analyst predicts something that Sony and MS basically already said
Good job bud
I have predicited this even before the ps5 was announced...
Yes but it was not hard to find out.
Hey guys! I just got a new job as a water analyst! And I have determined that it is wet!
Xbox has made backward compatibility a selling point that fans seem to view as important. I think it is premature to assume that this "Helix" will automatically lack a disc drive.
Who is actually suprised by this?
Honestly... I'm good with them being digital only. It would have been nice to also support the previous existing media, but I have those previous platforms to use said media anyway. I can see many are saying the no physical, no buy... to me I'm not that way. this hobby is not about one media format or another, or one platform or another... its about getting out of it what you are willing to put in. And for me, i love new hardware and new games not available anywhere else.
i look forward to the 10th gen and beyond.
Well DUH!!
Smart for Xbox to go the PC route with Helix because a digital only console/PC hybrid with full access to steam and other stores already places it with an advantage over PS6.
i mean, i have zero interest in buying a disc-free PS6 or Helix... sharing games is the only way I justify owning them, and buying used games, and having a little collection
RIP the console market, i guess the products are not for me anymore
PC only (and maybe Switch 2)
That scenario would be perfect—the Helix will actually have an optical drive after all, and that will be a real slap in the face for Sony :)
We can only dreaming...
It would be a good volley after the 2013 Shu, physical-game-lending moment. lol
