Sony’s plan to end PlayStation discs sparks ‘Don’t Kill the Disc’ petition as 250,000+ gamers push back
Sony’s recent three-paragraph announcement that it will end physical disc production in 2028 has frustrated many gamers, prompting them to take a stand against the company’s decision. They hope to reverse the upcoming cessation of PlayStation disc production with the petition “Don’t Kill The Disc,” which has already garnered over 250,000 signatures on Change.org. The petition urges Sony to continue physical releases for future PS5 games, including those on the upcoming PS6.
Jade Peace, the CEO of an independent retailer, spearheaded the petition. The petition argues that while digital games provide convenience through a one-time payment and by keeping the game on your PlayStation account, forcing an all-digital ecosystem removes consumers’ ability to choose for themselves.
An all-digital ecosystem prevents gamers from lending, sharing, reselling, or truly owning games. Server shutdowns could make online-purchased games inaccessible in the future, further affecting jobs in retail, distribution, and, more importantly, preservation institutions.
The petition states:
“We are not against digital. We are against digital being the only option. A large and passionate community still wants real, physical games they own outright, and Sony is about to take that choice away.”
This shift is particularly ironic, considering Sony mocked Xbox’s online, DRM-heavy implementation in 2013 in an advert about sharing games between friends. Having formerly presented itself as a champion of gamers’ freedom to play and own video games, Sony now appears to view a full-on digital shift, which already dominates sales, as a lucrative business strategy.
This strategy allows the company to maintain greater control and margins amid rising hardware costs for next-generation consoles, with the upcoming PS6 reportedly costing nearly $1,000 in bill-of-materials costs. If Sony decides to subsidize the PS6 as it did with the PS3, digital download sales may be the only way for the company to generate revenue and offset its losses. However, this could mean that physical media will no longer be available.
Many petitioners explained their reasons for choosing PlayStation and consoles over PC, with one user stating: “Physical media is what makes consoles the best place to play modern AAA games. It’s the only decentralized local DRM solution… My 30-year streak of supporting PlayStation depends on this decision.”
Meanwhile, another petitioner stated, “I will not be purchasing a PlayStation 6 if physical games are discontinued. I have started to perceive PlayStation as a consumer-unfriendly brand.”
Others have responded by unsubscribing from Sony's paid online service, PS Plus, in an effort to pressure Sony to reconsider its decision.
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