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Great New Games Are Getting Caught Up in the Online Backlash Against PlayStation Killing Discs
Sony's decision to phase out physical discs for new PlayStation games from 2028 has sparked an ongoing backlash that is now spilling over into promotion of unrelated new releases. Denshattack!, a critically acclaimed digital-only fighting game from indie studio Undercoders, became caught up in the row after PlayStation promoted its PS5 launch on social media, prompting angry fans to urge players to boycott the PS5 version and buy the game instead on PC, Nintendo Switch 2 or Xbox. The episode illustrates how the controversy is affecting even titles with no connection to the disc decision, potentially harming developers' launches through no fault of their own.
Posts calling for a boycott of Denshattack! on PS5 have racked up hundreds of thousands of views, with critics arguing that "genuine banger games" are being overshadowed by Sony's policy. Analysts, however, believe Sony has no intention of reversing course. Dr Serkan Toto of Kantan Games told IGN that even a mass cancellation of 500,000 PlayStation Plus subscriptions would be negligible against Sony's base of over 120 million active users and roughly 50 million Plus subscribers, meaning the company is likely to simply wait for the backlash to subside.
In short
- Sony's move to end PS discs from 2028 is fuelling online backlash.
- Acclaimed indie game Denshattack! got caught in the crossfire.
- Analysts say Sony won't reverse the decision despite fan anger.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Digital-only distribution represents natural industry evolution, as most gaming sales are already digital and this aligns PlayStation with broader trends across media. Phasing out discs streamlines supply chains, reduces manufacturing and packaging waste, enables instant global delivery, and lowers operational complexity. Whilst physical media has merits, its appeal is increasingly niche, and the gaming industry's movement toward digital distribution is practically inevitable, making this a pragmatic bet on efficiency and consumer convenience over serving a declining market segment.
The case against
Discontinuing physical media eliminates genuine consumer choice and raises legitimate concerns about ownership, preservation, and equitable access. Disc ownership represents actual possession rather than licensing, protects against digital removal or service shutdowns, and serves lower-income players who rely on used markets. It also ensures games survive as cultural artefacts in archives and museums rather than vanishing if digital platforms close. The decision privileges corporate convenience over consumer rights and cultural preservation, removing options without technical necessity rather than letting market forces determine the medium's fate naturally.
Explained simply
Sony has announced a plan to phase out physical discs for new PlayStation games from 2028, transitioning entirely to digital downloads. The decision has prompted considerable backlash from players concerned about losing physical ownership and the wider implications for the gaming industry.
The controversy is spilling over to affect unrelated game releases on the platform. Players backing the protest are campaigning to discourage PlayStation purchases of new titles, meaning games with no connection to the disc decision can suffer commercially. Developers and independent studios risk having their launches caught up in the backlash against Sony.
The scale of player opposition is evident from hundreds of thousands of social media posts criticising the policy. Industry analysts, however, believe Sony has no intention of reversing the decision, as even substantial subscription cancellations would be relatively minor compared to the company's overall user base.