Gamers announce PlayStation “blackout” in Sony boycott
“Let's give them a small taste of their own medicine.”
Image by Roman Kosolapov | Shutterstock
- PlayStation fans plan a week-long console blackout from August 23rd to August 30th, 2026.
- Organizers oppose Sony’s reported plan to end physical discs in 2028, arguing digital games weaken ownership rights.
- Fans also cite studio closures, canceled events, halted PS VR2 development, price increases, and removed library content.
- A petition against the move has gathered more than 345,000 signatures, underscoring broader concern about game preservation and consumer control.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
In hopes of drawing Sony’s attention, PlayStation fans are encouraged to put down their controllers and take a week-long break from their gaming consoles.
Fans of the PlayStation are organizing a gaming “blackout” in August.
Gaming console owners are encouraged to unplug their devices from 7 p.m. on August 23rd to 7 p.m. on August 30th, 2026.
“Ending physical discs in 2028 feels like the last straw,” the #PSBlackout statement read, referring to the company’s decision to remove physical discs altogether starting January 2028.
“There are so many issues with PlayStation right now that bringing back physical games would only be meeting players halfway,” the statement continued, noting the grievances the company caused over the years to its fans.
These included Sony’s decision to close studios such as Bluepoint, the cancellation of fan events, and the halt of PS VR2 development.
The company has also been under scrutiny for increasing prices for its gaming services.
Recently, the company announced that it will remove 551 movies and TV shows from users' PlayStation Libraries due to licensing issues with Studio Canal. Users were notified of the changes but weren’t given any refunds or other compensation.
"Players can participate by turning off their consoles or logging out for 7 days. We feel that this period gives publishers and developers minimal impact while still giving players a voice,” concluded the statement shared by game preservation community Does it Play? on X, where it has more than 46,000 followers.
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“Don't Kill the Disc”
Despite all the issues that the company has been struggling with, it seems that the straw that broke the camel’s back was Sony’s decision to remove physical PlayStation games.
The news about the company's disc-less product prompted not only reactions from users but also from other companies, many of which mocked Sony for the decision.
While the company believes it's a valid decision, as more content goes digital, the main issue is that having something in a digital format doesn’t guarantee you ownership.
“A disc is a real game you own. You can lend it, trade it, resell it, gift it, collect it, or pass it down to your kids. A box with only a download code is not the same thing,” stated the petition.
A document against this move has already been signed by 345,000 people.
