Sony Imposed Strict Social Media Rules Ahead of Physical Disc Phase-Out
A former employee revealed that Sony issued stringent social media guidelines to staff before announcing the discontinuation of physical game discs starting in 2028.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) prepared staff with highly restrictive social media guidelines prior to its announcement that it will cease production of physical Blu-ray game discs for PlayStation platforms starting January 2028. This was according to Alanah Pearce, a former employee at Santa Monica Studio.
The company cited shifting consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry's transition towards digital content as reasons for the change. The decision has sparked significant backlash from the gaming community, with official announcements on social media platforms attracting widespread criticism and negative commentary.
Pearce, who has experience as an IGN journalist and worked on titles like "God of War Ragnarök," stated in a YouTube video that employees were informed about the unprecedentedly strict communication protocols. She suggested that Sony only implements such measures when anticipating a major public relations issue, indicating they foresaw the negative reaction.
Industry shifts continue, with Sony reportedly repurposing a disc manufacturing facility in Austria to produce components for AI data centers, potentially signaling a broader strategy to reduce physical media production.
Market data indicates a decline in physical game sales in the US, though certain demographics, such as gamers under 25, continue to purchase physical discs. The UK market, for example, still represents a significant value for physical game sales.