Sony confirms it will no longer provide full game digital download codes to shops

Sony has confirmed its plan to stop giving shops full game download codes to sell.

It means digital games will soon only be available from PlayStation Network.

A memo to GameStop staff over the weekend revealed Sony would no longer give retailers full game download codes from 1st April.

GameStop stores just got a memo saying that Sony will no longer provide full game digital download codes to retailers (not just GameStop) starting April 1st. Digital games will only be available straight from PSN after that date. Add-on content/PSN $ cards will still be available

— Wario64 (@Wario64) March 22, 2019

Confirming the news in a statement issued to Eurogamer, Sony said it took the decision "in order to continue to align key businesses globally".

However, Sony said it will introduce increased denominations of PSN credit at select shops, and DLC, add-ons, virtual currency and season passes will still be available.

Here's the statement:

"We can confirm that as of April 1, 2019, Sony Interactive Entertainment will no longer offer full games through SIE's Global Digital at Retail program. This decision was made in order to continue to align key businesses globally. To support full games and premium editions, SIE will introduce increased denominations at select retailers. DLC, add-ons, virtual currency, and season passes will still be available."

At the time of publication, shops in the UK are still selling full game download codes. GAME.co.uk, for example, has codes for the likes of PaRappa the Rapper Remastered, The Inpatient and Sonic Mania. Expect these to dry up, though, as stock is sold.