2026-07-29 10:02:15
PlayStation fans campaigning to preserve physical video games have called for a global boycott of Sony’s services in response to the company’s decision to stop producing new game discs from 2028.
The protest, dubbed #PSBlackout, was launched by the Does it play? account on X, which has been critical of Sony’s move away from physical media.
The campaign encourages players to avoid logging into PlayStation services, playing games, making purchases or using Sony platforms for one week in August.
The account said: “Sony wants to abandon fans? Let’s give them a small taste of their own medicine!”
The call for action has been viewed almost one million times on social media platform X, with supporters arguing that ending physical releases could damage game ownership, preservation and consumer choice.
Sony announced earlier this year that physical disc production for all new PlayStation games would end in January 2028, citing changing consumer habits and the industry’s shift towards digital distribution.
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Sid Shuman said: “New games will be released on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.”
The company argued that the move reflects modern buying trends, stating that digital media has become the preferred option for many players.
However, critics say physical games still play an important role.
The UK’s Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA) described Sony’s decision as “a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice”.
ERA chief executive Kim Bayley said many players still value physical games because they can be shared, traded, collected and preserved.
She said: “Every year, millions of gamers still choose to buy physical copies because they value true ownership.”
Industry data suggests physical game sales have declined significantly, with Circana analyst Mat Piscatella reporting that only seven PlayStation games had sold more than 100,000 physical copies in the US during 2026.
Despite this decline, some players remain concerned about the long-term consequences of an all-digital future, particularly around access to purchased games if online stores close or licences expire.
However, analysts believe a boycott is unlikely to change Sony’s strategy.
Dr Serkan Toto, CEO of games consultancy Kantan Games, said digital distribution is too financially attractive for Sony to reverse course.
He said: “Sony has over 120 million active PlayStation users. Digital is just too lucrative.”
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