Sony says it will stop producing physical game discs for all new PlayStation releases starting in January 2028.
According to their press release, every new PlayStation game will only be sold digitally through the PlayStation Store and other digital retailers.
For skaters who also spend time gaming, the news could have a bigger impact than simply downloading the next title.
Skateboarding games have always had a strong collector community.
Many players still enjoy hunting for original copies of classic titles like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Skate, and other older releases.
Shelves filled with game cases have become just as much a part of gaming culture as the games themselves.
The announcement also raises questions about the future of collecting modern skateboarding games.
If new releases are digital only, there will be no physical editions to keep sealed, display, or trade with other collectors years later.
For some fans, owning a physical copy is about more than playing the game. It is part of preserving a piece of skateboarding history.
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Trading has always been part of gaming culture. Friends swap games after finishing them, collectors search for rare editions, and local game stores have built communities around buying and selling used titles.
That tradition could become much smaller once physical releases are no longer available for new PlayStation games.
Many skateboarders grew up bringing game cases to a friend's house after a skate session. It was common to spend the afternoon skating outside before heading indoors to play another round of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater or Skate.
Those physical copies often changed hands several times and became part of personal collections that still sit on shelves today.
Digital games do offer some benefits.
Players can download titles immediately without visiting a store, and there is no risk of losing or damaging a disc. Updates and downloadable content are also easier to manage through digital storefronts.
Still, collectors may see things differently. Limited edition steelbooks, special cover art, and sealed copies have become popular among gaming collectors, including fans of skateboarding games.
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Without new physical releases, future collections could look very different from those built over the past two decades.
The timing is also interesting with new skateboarding games continuing to attract attention.
Core skaters and gamers are waiting for future releases while others continue revisiting classics through remasters and older consoles.
If digital becomes the only option, it could change how the next generation experiences collecting skate games.
Sony says the change follows growing demand for digital media and that games released before January 2028 on disc will not be affected.
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Existing physical copies will continue to work, and previously released games will remain part of the physical market.
For skateboarders who enjoy both skating and gaming, the announcement may be another reason to hold onto older physical copies.
As new releases become digital only, those game cases sitting on a shelf could become even more meaningful for collectors who appreciate the history of skateboarding games.