PlayStation fans plan week-long blackout over disc phase-out

Sony's decision to end production of physical PlayStation game discs in January 2028 has sparked a significant backlash from players, leading to an organized protest calling for a week-long blackout of the company's gaming platforms later this summer. The move, announced on July 1, means all new PlayStation titles released after that date will be available only as digital downloads, a shift that has alarmed collectors and threatens the business model of independent game retailers.

In response, the game preservation and consumer rights group DoesItPlay has called for a "PSBlackout," urging PlayStation owners to refrain from logging into the PlayStation Network, playing games, or making any purchases on Sony's platforms for seven consecutive days. The protest is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, August 23, and conclude at the same time on Sunday, August 30. Organizers stated the action is a direct reaction to what they describe as Sony's growing disconnect from its fan base, citing studio closures, a focus on live-service games, limited support for PlayStation VR2, and the perceived neglect of classic franchises.

The blackout campaign follows a petition titled...