Sony’s recent decision to end physical game discs for new PlayStation releases has sparked one of the biggest community backlashes the company has faced in years. Last week, Sony confirmed that starting in January 2028, all new PlayStation games will be released digitally, meaning physical discs will no longer be produced for future titles.

Now, players are coming together with the hope that they can manage to force the company to reverse its decision. A petition titled “Don’t Kill the Disc” has gained massive momentum, collecting more than 123,000 signatures in just four days, a number that many believe is becoming increasingly difficult for Sony to ignore.

The petition was launched on Change.org by a representative from Canadian retailer PnP Games shortly after Sony’s announcement. Since then, thousands of gamers have added their names in support, with many also leaving comments explaining why they believe physical media should remain an option for future PlayStation releases.

According to an update message, 40,000 signatures were reached in less than 48 hours since it was published. Organizer Jade Pearce asked for gamers to “make it 100,000” – and it’s soaring well beyond that. In the post, Pearce says the campaign has to be a number that is “impossible to ignore,” suggesting that while 40K is “loud,” 100K “is a headline Sony can’t miss”.

The campaign isn’t asking Sony to abandon digital distribution altogether. Instead, its organizers argue that players should continue to have the freedom to choose between digital downloads and physical discs. Over in Europe, we’ve also seen retailer GAME España sharing a message to its customers, promising continued support for physical media.

One of the biggest concerns raised is ownership. Supporters of the petition point out that a physical disc can be resold, traded, lent to friends, gifted, or kept as part of a collection for years to come. A digital purchase, on the other hand, is essentially a license tied to an online account, with no ability to trade or resell it. The petition also highlights concerns about game preservation. It notes that digital movies and games have been removed from online stores and user libraries in the past, raising fears that future digital-only purchases may not always remain accessible forever.

Another issue being raised is the wider impact on the gaming industry itself. Physical game production supports manufacturers, distributors, retailers, warehouses, logistics companies, and the second-hand game market. Moving entirely to digital could affect thousands of jobs and many small businesses that rely on physical game sales.

Despite the growing support, it remains unclear whether the petition will change Sony’s plans. Reports suggest the company had been preparing for this transition well before making the announcement, meaning the move is likely the result of years of planning rather than a sudden decision. Even so, with the petition continuing to gain signatures at a rapid pace, it has become one of the largest community responses to Sony’s all-digital strategy, showing that a significant number of PlayStation players still want physical game discs to remain part of the future.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.