Critics of Sony's Decision to Kill Physical Discs Call on Gamers to Boycott PlayStation for a Week Next Month, but Will Anyone Listen?
The shift could end game-sharing and second-hand sales, while 340,000 fans have signed a petition and planned a PlayStation blackout, organizers said.
- Sony announced plans to end physical disc sales by 2028, prompting Garreth McGrath, VP of Sandbox Gaming, to warn the shift will limit play options and kill second-hand game trading.
- Digital sales now far surpass physical, driving Sony's transition, yet gamers criticize Sony Interactive Entertainment for closing studios like Bluepoint and mismanaging franchises including Twisted Metal and Sly Cooper.
- A 'Don't Kill the Disc' petition has gathered nearly 350,000 signatures, while games preservation group DoesItPlay announced an 'economic and gameplay blackout' during the week of Aug. 23.
- On Friday, the PlayStation Network went down for nearly half the day, preventing digital game access; McGrath warned that licenses can be revoked, citing StudioCanal as precedent.
- Experts remain skeptical a week-long protest will change Sony's strategy, though Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser noted companies should still provide disc options for those who want them.
23 Articles
23 Articles
PlayStation players plan week-long boycott over end of physical games
A group of PlayStation players is organizing a week-long boycott in response to Sony’s decision to stop producing physical discs for new games beginning in 2028. The campaign, promoted under the hashtag #PSBlackout, asks players to stop using PlayStation platforms between August 23 and August 30, 2026. It was announced by game-preservation account Does It […] Source
Gamer Group to Protest PlayStation's Move to All-Digital With Player 'Blackout'
DoesItPlay is pushing for 'no logins, no play sessions, no purchases on any of Sony’s platforms,' during the week of Aug. 23. But the efficacy of player-organized boycotts is dubious at best.
Anonymous Targets Sony Over Plan to End Physical PlayStation Discs
Sony is facing renewed criticism over its decision to phase out physical PlayStation game discs, with the hacking collective Anonymous publicly condemning the move and warning that it could fundamentally change how players access and retain their game libraries. The debate has reignited broader concerns about digital ownership, licensing rights, and consumer protections in the gaming industry. Anonymous Raises Concerns About the Future of Digita…
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