Sony has maintained its decision to discontinue physical media in the PlayStation ecosystem, even after receiving criticism. The company's Chief Financial Officer, Lin Tao, acknowledged user dissatisfaction but reaffirmed the plan to move forward.
Sony has maintained its decision to discontinue physical media in the PlayStation ecosystem, even after receiving criticism. The company's Chief Financial Officer, Lin Tao, acknowledged user dissatisfaction but reaffirmed the plan to move forward.
During a Q&A session regarding the financial results of the last fiscal quarter, Lin Tao clarified that the company had been considering this change for some time and anticipated possible negative reactions from players. In response, Sony intends to focus its efforts on maintaining consumer interest in PlayStation titles, even when the system is entirely digitized.
When questioned about the reasons for this transition, Lin Tao pointed out that the advancement of content digitalization in general is the primary factor behind the decision. She emphasized that this process is not limited only to PlayStation but covers all types of content, indicating that digitalization is constantly evolving.
By mentioning that the company will 'proceed with caution,' Tao specified that Sony will stop making games available in physical format for PlayStation only starting in 2028. This announcement was made with one and a half years' notice, giving time for users, game developers, and others involved to assimilate the information.
The executive also validated that 'games are loved by many people' and that, for this reason, negative reactions are understandable. In this context, Sony signaled that it will seek to use this emotional appeal to continue engaging the player base, although it did not detail how it will do so.
The topic continues to generate controversy, with extensive discussions about the potential impacts of the end of physical media on the gaming market. One example of this is the petition started by the Canadian retailer PNP Games, motivated by the fear that the closure could severely harm physical game stores.
Sony's decision to cease manufacturing new games in physical format for PlayStation, scheduled to begin in 2028, has provoked various reactions among enthusiasts. In response, a collective defending video game preservation is structuring a boycott of the brand, named PSBlackout, which aims to mobilize players globally between August 23rd and 30th.
This initiative was disclosed by the organization DoesItPlay, which is dedicated to protecting games and consumer rights. The campaign recently gained traction on social media. According to the organizers, participants are encouraged to refrain from using any service linked to PlayStation for a period of seven days.
Specific recommendations include not turning on the console, not logging into the PlayStation Network, not playing titles on PlayStation, and avoiding the purchase of digital games or content on the PlayStation Store. The protest is scheduled to start on August 23rd at 7 PM (local time) and end on August 30th at the same time.
In a statement released on social media, DoesItPlay argues that the end of physical media represents only the peak of a series of corporate choices that have distanced the community from the brand. The group points to decisions such as the closure of studios, the preference for games-as-a-service models, the cancellation of fan events, the reduced support for PlayStation VR2, and the lack of return of franchises desired by the public as examples.
For the organization, the determination to abandon discs in 2028 was the decisive factor. Promoters state that the halt was planned to minimize losses to developers and publishers while demonstrating consumer dissatisfaction directly to Sony. However, the success of this action depends on player participation, as the goal is to generate a temporary economic effect by reducing access to services and purchases during the established period.
This movement occurs simultaneously with the campaign called 'Don’t Kill The Disc,' created with the aim of forcing Sony to maintain physical media releases. According to the organizers, the petition reached over 345 thousand signatures on July 27th, marking a considerable increase compared to the approximately 120 thousand signatures registered at the beginning of the month.
To date, Sony has not issued official statements regarding PSBlackout nor responded to criticisms related to the discontinuation of disc game production. The company's strategy has been to remain silent about the repercussions on social media, while the community continues to organize protests and campaigns in defense of physical media.
