Overview
- Sony announced in early July that it will stop producing new PlayStation game discs starting in January 2028, a move that spurred large online protests and petitions.
- A weeklong fan boycott called PSBlackout began Sunday, August 23 and asks participants to log off, avoid purchases, cancel subscriptions, and otherwise not engage with PlayStation.
- In the days before the boycott many users reported receiving PlayStation Terms of Service reminder emails that included full copies of the April 2026 terms and the Software EULA language saying digital games are licensed not sold.
- Community organizers and players said the emails’ timing felt provocative because the messages highlight that suspended or closed accounts can lose access to paid content, and Sony has not offered a public explanation.
- The dispute reflects a broader shift toward digital game sales that Sony and publishers cite for ending discs and raises concrete consumer concerns about resale, gifting, account transfers, long‑term access, and archival preservation.