On July 1, 2026, Sony announced on PlayStation Blog and shared the update on X that it will halt the production of physical discs for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028 took the gaming community by storm. The decision has received major backlash from the gaming community with many players expressing concerns about losing the option to own physical copies, fewer choices while buying and the possibility of higher digital game prices.
This decision has led to strong reactions from some players, with some launching boycotts, social media campaigns and a petition that gained 100,000 signatures within just four days. The number of supporters continues to grow rapidly, and this could push Sony to take notice and respond.
Jade Pearce, CEO of Canadian retailer PNP Games, launched a petition on Change.org the day after the announcement to oppose Sony’s decision. The petition, titled ‘Don’t Kill the Disc,’ has now passed 260,000 verified signatures, with several supporters sharing comments and videos expressing their support for keeping physical game discs alive.
The petition stated, “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. It is a digital license in plastic packaging. You do not own it. You are renting access that can be revoked, and people have already had purchased movies deleted from their libraries and games pulled from sale weeks after launch.”
Pearce also stated that the issue is not just about the preservation of games, but also about protecting jobs that depend on physical game sales. He added that they are not against digital gaming. Instead, they believe that players should have the freedom to choose between physical and digital copies, rather than having digital become the only option. He feels that Sony is taking away that choice by ending physical disc releases for new PlayStation games. He does raise a valid point and many gamers echo his concerns.
In a recent update to the petition, a promise made by Sony in 2013 was highlighted. Sony’s 2013 messaging emphasized that PS4 disc owners could trade, sell, lend, or keep their physical games forever, but that promise now seems to be fading as Sony is increasingly focusing on digital gaming.
The petition urged people to sign so that future generations could own the games they play instead of simply renting them. It also stated that if players did not speak up now, physical discs might disappear, taking away their freedom to choose between physical and digital games.
Well, what happens next remains uncertain. While the petition has gained major support from gaming communities, it may not be enough to change Sony’s plans, as the company likely spent months planning the move, studying market trends, evaluating the decision and preparing for the backlash from players.
Having said that, the petition does raise a valid question: What happens if gaming becomes entirely digital? Without physical discs, players may no longer have the option to choose how they purchase and own their games. It also raises concerns about pricing, digital ownership, long-term availability and game preservation.
