Sony is taking another step toward its digital-first future by restructuring one of its PlayStation disc manufacturing facilities in Austria.
We all know physical games won't be around for much longer; that's why the video game giant has already begun repurposing parts of its manufacturing operations for a new line of business focused on advanced optical technology.
The move follows Sony's previously announced plan to wind down PlayStation disc production at its Austrian facility by January 2028.
Sony Repurposes Austrian PlayStation Disc Factory
According to Sony Digital Audio Disc Corporation (DADC) CEO Dietmar Tanzer, the company's factory in Thalgau, Austria, is being transformed from a PlayStation disc production site into a facility that manufactures optical microlenses.
Speaking with Austrian broadcaster ORF Salzburg, Tanzer said the transition is already underway. Employees who previously worked on disc manufacturing are being retrained to support the new operation, with some already participating in microlens testing and pilot production.
€30 Million Investment Supports New Production
Sony's manufacturing transition has been in development for some time.
Markus Streibl, Head of Micro Optics at Sony DADC, revealed that the company secured a €30 million investment to expand optical microlens production before publicly confirming plans to phase out disc manufacturing at the Austrian plant.
For Sony, this is a long-term strategy for their investment. With that, the company can diversify beyond optical media and strengthen its position in high-precision optical components used across multiple industries.
Employee Retraining Underway
The restructuring also affects approximately 300 employees at the Thalgau facility, according to The Verge.
Rather than implementing immediate layoffs, Sony says it is prioritizing retraining and redeployment. Workers are being prepared for new roles in microlens production and quality testing as manufacturing operations gradually evolve.
While company executives hope to retain as many employees as possible, they have not guaranteed that every position will remain once disc production officially ends in 2028.
Microlens Manufacturing Could Expand Further
The Austrian factory may be the first of several Sony facilities to undergo similar changes.
According to Streibl, Sony aims to begin large-scale production of optical microlenses as early as 2027. If demand continues to grow, other Sony DADC manufacturing sites could eventually transition from producing optical discs to manufacturing advanced optical components.
It hurts to see physical games going away in the future; that's why fans decided to launch a PlayStation Disc petition. As of writing, the campaign has gathered over 57,000 verified signatures from supporters.
Even then, collectors find it useless to the point that they couldn't collect any cartridges or discs anymore. The upcoming "GTA 6" is expected to arrive in a code-in-a-box edition.
But this didn't sit right with some retailers, as well.
