Archive · 23 Aug 2026
PlayStation Boycott Targets Sony’s Digital-Only Gaming Shift
Some gamers are upset that Sony plans to stop making physical game discs by 2028.
They prefer being able to buy and keep games on discs.
A preservation group called Does It Play has asked players to stop using PlayStation for one week.
The planned boycott runs from August 23 to 30.
Players are being asked not to sign in, play games, or buy anything from Sony’s platforms.
The protest happens around Gamescom, when many gamers may be watching gaming news.
Separately, clips and a map from the upcoming game GTA VI were leaked online.
Take-Two is trying to find who shared the leaks, while the leaker is demanding changes from the publisher.
The preservation group Does It Play called for a week-long PlayStation boycott from August 23 to 30.
The #PSBlackout asks players to avoid logging in, playing games, or making purchases on Sony platforms.
The protest follows Sony’s announcement that it plans to end physical game production by 2028.
Gameplay clips and the entire fictional Leonidas map from GTA VI were reportedly leaked before its extended trailer launch.
Take-Two is investigating the leaks, while the leaker has demanded an apology and commitments regarding digital pre-orders.
- Who
- Does It Play, participating gamers, Sony, Take-Two, and an unidentified GTA VI leaker.
- What
- A one-week PlayStation boycott is protesting Sony’s planned move away from physical game production, alongside leaks from GTA VI.
- When
- The boycott is scheduled for August 23 through August 30; the article says the GTA VI trailer is expected about a week after the leaks.
- Where
- On PlayStation and other Sony platforms, with the timing coinciding with Gamescom.
- Why
- Organizers oppose the shift toward digital-only gaming and want continued access to physical game discs.
Physical-game supporters
Digital-first gaming proponents
The future of game ownership
Physical-game supporters
Protest organizers and participating gamers want physical discs to remain available and are urging players to boycott Sony platforms.
Digital-first gaming proponents
Sony says its move away from physical discs responds to market preferences for digital games.
GTA VI digital pre-orders
Physical-game supporters
The leaker, identified in the article as Cyberleek, opposed digital pre-orders and demanded a public apology and a concrete commitment to improve.
Digital-first gaming proponents
Take-Two is focused on identifying those responsible for releasing the leaked gameplay and map material.
- Boycott name
- #PSBlackout
- Boycott dates
- August 23–30
- Organizer
- Does It Play
- Sony’s plan
- End physical game production by 2028
- Requested actions
- Log out of PlayStation Network, avoid playing games, and avoid purchases
- Leaked material
- GTA VI gameplay clips and the entire Leonidas map
- Publisher response
- Take-Two is taking steps to identify those behind the leaks