PlayStation users are planning a week-long boycott to protest Sony’s decision to scrap physical disc releases.
Earlier this month, PlayStation confirmed that it will stop producing physical games from January 2028.
“This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs. This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today,” they explained in a short blog post. One report has claimed that just seven PlayStation games have sold more than 100,000 copies in the US this year.
However the announcement has received wide-spread backlash. Hideo Kojima called it a “scary” and “frightening” decision, especially after Sony deleted hundreds of movies from PlayStation 5 libraries over an expired rights license. Another report claims Sony stopping PlayStation discs will “doom” brick and mortar retail stores, and kill the second-hand market.
One petition asking Sony not to “kill the disc” has more than 345,00 signatures but other PlayStation fans want more direct action. The Does It Play? X account is calling for a week-long boycott of PlayStation. “Sony wants to abandon fans? Let’s give them a small taste of their own medicine,” the wrote.
Some will call what needs to be done here "pretentious", "pointless" or "performative", but the fight needs to continue every step of the way.
You don't need to purchase all things physical. Nobody is asking that of you. You should care about your rights as a consumer that less… https://t.co/nEtt3nbnGL
— MrMattyPlays (@G27Status) July 26, 2026
“For several years now, Sony Interactive Entertainment has continued to grow from its fan base. Whether its closing beloved studios like Bluepoint, pursuing a misguided live-service strategy, cancelling fan events, leaving PS VR2 to die or being completely out of touch with the franchises players want to see return, PlayStation has never felt more disconnected from its community. Ending physical discs in 2028 feels like the last straw,” they wrote.
“We are calling on PlayStation players to participate in an economic blackout from August 23 at 7pm local time, through to August 30. Players can participate by turning off their consoles or logging out for seven days. We feel this period gives publishers and developers minimal impact while giving players a voice.”
The post has been viewed more than 1.5million times and been shared by thousands of X users.
In other news, Splatoon Raiders has become the best user-reviewed Nintendo game of all time, dethroning The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.
