Sony faces PlayStation boycott over digital ownership shift

PlayStation users have launched a week-long boycott, known as the #PSBlackout campaign, running from August 23 to August 30. The protest targets Sony’s decision to move away from physical game releases, with reports indicating the company intends to cease physical disc production by January 2028.

Participants are being encouraged to stop using their consoles, refrain from downloading new titles, and avoid making purchases on the PlayStation Store. The movement stems from growing frustration regarding digital ownership and game preservation. Critics argue that physical copies allow for better control, resale, and long-term playability compared to digital versions.

Adding to the tension, Sony recently issued a mass email reminding users that digital software is licensed to them rather than sold as traditional property. The terms state that users are granted a “limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and personal license to play” the software, a distinction that has intensified the debate over consumer rights in the digital age.