PS5 players launch blackout protest by unplugging consoles worldwide
A coordinated protest has seen PlayStation 5 owners unplugging their consoles globally, according to a report from Push Square. The campaign, which was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. local time, is already underway as participants aim to reduce Sony's monthly active user count.
Organizers are asking supporters to keep their PS5s disconnected from now until at least August 30. This means no logging in, playing games, or making purchases on the PlayStation Store. The protest is primarily a response to Sony's plan to stop making physical game discs starting in January 2028.
Push Square notes that protesters also feel the company has drifted away from its community. A recent poll on the site indicated that an overwhelming majority of respondents think PlayStation Studios would perform better under different leadership.
Sony's chief financial officer, Lin Tao, has reportedly told investors that boycotts and subscription cancellations have not impacted the business. The company's latest financial report showed around 125 million monthly active users, a figure that has grown compared to the previous year.
The article includes comments from readers, with many expressing skepticism that the blackout will affect Sony's operations, while others stated they are participating or taking different actions like canceling PS Plus subscriptions.
