A coalition of PlayStation users is planning an "economic and gameplay blackout" following Sony’s recent announcement that it will cease physical disc production for all new games beginning in 2028. The initiative, dubbed "PSBlackout," asks owners to disconnect from the PlayStation ecosystem for one week to express dissatisfaction with the company's direction.

Quick Facts

  • Protest Dates: August 23, 2026, at 7:00 local time to August 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time.
  • Protest Goals: Encouraging users to turn off consoles and avoid purchasing content to impact Sony’s metrics.
  • Petition Growth: The "Don’t Kill The Disc" petition has grown from roughly 120,000 signatures on July 6 to over 345,000 as of July 27.

The Origins of the PSBlackout

The protest was announced on July 26 by the game preservation group DoesItPlay. In a statement posted to X, the group cited a series of grievances, including the closure of studios like Bluepoint, a focus on live-service titles, the cancellation of fan events, and the perceived abandonment of the PS VR2. The shift toward an all-digital future is described by the organizers as "the last straw."

Participants are asked to refrain from logging into their accounts, playing games, or purchasing any content on PlayStation platforms for the seven-day duration. The organizers argue that this window is sufficient to give players a voice while minimizing the impact on third-party developers.

Community Reaction to Sony's Strategy

The movement follows widespread frustration regarding Sony’s decision to phase out physical media. While Sony has not engaged with the criticism on its official social media channels, community members have mobilized through various platforms. The "Don’t Kill The Disc" petition has seen significant engagement, with signature counts more than doubling throughout July.

Industry response to the move away from physical media has been mixed. Other publishers have addressed the shift in recent earnings calls and public statements, with some suggesting that the transition to digital is inevitable, while groups like DoesItPlay continue to advocate for the value of physical media preservation.