Some fashion and trends make a comeback years later, and for gamers, so do video games. A recent petition has garnered significant support, with over 278,000 respondents wanting PlayStation games released on physical discs beyond January 2028.
The petition's author, Jade Pearce, emphasizes that the movement is not against digital gaming but rather against the idea of digital being the only option. "We are not against digital. We are against digital being the only option," Pearce wrote in the Change.org petition. "That's the line we're asking Sony not to cross. If we do not speak up now, the disc disappears, and the choice goes with it."
Pearce's reaction came after a shift away from physical discs, announced on Canada Day by Sony. The company stated that physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles would be discontinued starting January 2028, with new games available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.
The petition has surpassed 250,000 signatures in just over a week and has generated more than 11,000 supporter voices, with over 10,000 supporters leaving comments or videos explaining why the issue matters to them. "This was never about one store or one console," Pearce wrote to supporters. "It's about whether you own what you pay for."
The petition raises concerns about an all-digital future and its potential impact on the physical video game industry, including retailers, distributors, manufacturers, the pre-owned market, and game collectors. Pearce, the owner of Winnipeg-based PNP Games Inc., believes that physical games allow consumers to lend, trade, re-sell, gift, collect, and preserve the games they purchase.
However, Sony disagrees, stating that the shift away from physical discs is a natural direction for the company to adapt to consumer trends, as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs. "This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today," Sony said.
Despite Sony's stance, the petition continues to gain support, with over 278,500 people backing the movement as of Friday afternoon.
