It’s been a rough month for PlayStation users. A few weeks ago, Sony announced that it would end physical disc sales by 2028. Then on Friday, the PlayStation Network went down, rendering players unable to access their digital games for nearly half the day. Now, in response to the chaos, players are organizing their own shutdown.
On Sunday, games preservation group DoesItPlay announced an “economic and gameplay blackout” during the week of Aug. 23. Dubbed “PSBlackout,” the move calls on players to keep their PlayStations powered off for the week: “No logins, no play sessions, no purchases on any of Sony’s platforms.”
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
“For several years now, Sony Interactive Entertainment has continued to grow further apart from its fan base,” DoesItPlay writes. “Whether it’s closing beloved studios like Bluepoint, pursuing a misguided live-service strategy, canceling fan events, leaving PS VR2 to die, or being completely out of touch with the franchises players want to see return, PlayStation has never felt more disconnected from its community.”
The sentiment is certainly backed by numbers. Many have taken to social media platforms to criticize the move to all-digital; a petition called “Don’t Kill the Disc” has racked up nearly 350,000 signatures as of Monday.
However, the efficacy of these player-organized boycotts is dubious at best. The thing about organizing is that demands are only met through sustained effort. There’s a reason why labor strikes don’t have a predetermined end date: they continue applying financial pressure until the company is effectively forced into an agreement.
Recommended by Our Editors
An All-Digital Gaming Future Makes Sense. Just Let Us Own Our Video Games
You Will Own Nothing and Be Happy. PlayStation’s New Digital Ownership Policy Is Alarming
Sony Killing PlayStation Discs Is a Wakeup Call for Streamers. Here’s How to Save Your Favorite Media
DoesItPlay appears to acknowledge that challenge. “We feel that this [week-long blackout] gives publishers and developers minimal impact while still giving players a voice,” it writes.
Even if the PSBlackout gains enough traction to have a noticeable financial impact, for Sony, the messaging may as well read, “Just wait out the week, and things will go back to normal without any action on your part.”
About Our Expert
Bee Wertheimer
Editorial Intern
Experience
I’m a New York-based writer currently serving as PCMag’s Editorial Intern. I cover the impact of technology and internet culture on our daily lives, with a specialization in video games and cultural criticism.
I have written for Kotaku, The A.V. Club, Unwinnable, Aftermath, and more. In addition, I have a formal background in video game development and visual design. You can find all of my work on my website.
Areas of Expertise
Latest By Bee Wertheimer
- Apple Releases iOS 26.6 With Handy Feature If You Get a Lot of Spam Calls
- Hackers Target Yet Another Steam Game With Malware. Here’s How They Did It
- PlayStation Network Hit by Outage. Maybe a Bad Time to Drop Physical Game Discs?
- Apple Has Big Plans for Its Mac Lineup. And Yes, That Includes a Touch Screen
- Apple’s ‘Upgrade’ Leasing Plan Feels Like a Trap
- More from Bee Wertheimer
