The much-debated ‘PlayStation Blackout’ social initiative is slated to start tomorrow, but does the action have as much energy behind it as it would need to be noticed? Boycotters have called for PlayStation fans everywhere to power down from August 23 to 30, demanding that they show Sony that they’re serious about opposing the transition to an all-digital future.
However, the #PSBlackout initiative has drawn widespread criticism because of how it’s being handled, and many predict that it’ll do nothing in the bigger picture.
Are you planning to switch off your PlayStation platforms for a week starting tomorrow?
PlayStation Shutdown Seeks to Scare Sony
In a post on social media a couple of weeks ago, folks opposed to Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision to stop printing new PlayStation discs in January 2028 started sharing an image.
This image spoke of a desired effort to push for a widespread shutdown of PlayStation engagement starting tomorrow, August 23.
We are calling on PlayStation players to participate in an economic and gameplay blackout from Sunday, August 23 to Sunday, August 30. Players can participate by turning off their consoles or logging out for seven days.
We feel this period gives publishers and developers minimal impact while still giving players a voice.
The activism effort drew criticism from the masses for a few reasons, the most important of which was the irrelevance of the window. It’s almost an arbitrary period that poses little threat, and it’ll be ‘easy’ for PlayStation users to drop into silence while it plays out.
It would have been a much more important step if it were to land during Wolverine’s upcoming launch, or better yet, during the release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Also, it takes place during Gamescom week, at which time tens of thousands (if not more) of PlayStation gamers will be occupied at the event.
In social circles, the inevitable surfacing of opposition took place, with some saying they’d switch on their PlayStation devices for longer or buy more games during the week. That was to be expected, though.
Ultimately, the #PSBlackout action will likely transpire in almost complete silence, with a minute minority of gamers turning off their consoles in the hope that something somewhere changes at Sony.
Spoiler alert: It won’t change a thing.
Are you participating in the PlayStation blackout? Let us know why on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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