Sony reportedly expected a major public backlash before announcing the end of physical PlayStation game releases, according to former God of War Laufey writer Alanah Pearce, who says the company introduced its most restrictive employee communication guidelines in anticipation of the controversy.
Speaking in a recent YouTube video, Pearce claimed that employees at PlayStation’s first-party studios were instructed under unusually strict social media rules before Sony revealed its plan to phase out physical game discs. Her comments arrive as criticism over the company’s digital-only strategy continues across social media, petitions, and gaming communities.
Earlier this month, Sony confirmed that new PlayStation titles will transition away from physical discs, with new releases becoming digital-only after the announced timeline. The decision has sparked concerns among collectors, preservation advocates, and players who still prefer owning boxed copies of their games.
Alanah Pearce says PlayStation expected the backlash
According to Pearce, Sony’s internal communication policies surrounding the announcement stood out even compared to previous high-profile projects she has worked on.
In her YouTube commentary, Pearce said,
“Sony already knew everyone would be pissed off. They knew this. People working at PlayStation first-party studios told me that Sony had the strictest social media guidelines for this particular thing that they’ve ever seen issued.” .
She explained that Sony regularly provides communication guidance ahead of major announcements, but described this situation as different.
Pearce added,
“They would only have done this if they knew it was going to be an enormous PR issue. This is no surprise to them.”
She also noted that she had previously received communication guidelines while working on God of War Laufey, but claimed the latest restrictions were the toughest PlayStation employees had encountered.
Why Sony is moving toward a digital-only future
Sony has maintained that the transition reflects changing consumer habits rather than a sudden business shift. In an official PlayStation Blog post, Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, stated that the company is adapting to the growing preference for digital purchases.
He wrote,
“This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs.”
Beyond changing buying habits, industry observers have pointed to financial incentives behind the decision. Digital sales eliminate manufacturing, packaging, and retail distribution costs while allowing Sony to retain a significantly larger share of software revenue. Physical releases, particularly through third-party retailers, require revenue sharing that reduces overall profit margins.
The announcement has generated sustained criticism across PlayStation’s official social media channels, where unrelated game announcements continue to attract comments demanding the return of physical releases. A Change.org petition opposing the decision has also surpassed 335,000 signatures, reflecting continued dissatisfaction among players concerned about ownership rights, game preservation, and long-term digital access.
Despite the backlash, Sony has not publicly expanded on its original announcement or responded directly to the growing criticism. Pearce suggested that the company’s silence is likely intentional given the internal preparation that reportedly took place before the announcement.
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Santa Monica Studio |
