'They Now Wait for This Storm to Pass' — PS5 Owners Cancel PlayStation Plus Subscriptions to Protest Sony's Disc Phase-Out, but Analysts Say It Won't Matter

PS5 owners are canceling their PlayStation Plus subscriptions in protest of Sony's controversial decision to stop releasing games on physical discs starting January 2028, but analysts believe the gesture won't force the console maker to reconsider. Sony has faced significant online backlash from PlayStation fans upset over the shift to an all-digital future, which is expected to continue with the PS6. A petition urging Sony to reverse its decision has garnered over 200,000 signatures, and in recent days, PS5 users have shared screenshots of canceled PS Plus subscriptions on social media. However, Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, told IGN that even if half a million people canceled their subscriptions, it would be a drop in the ocean for Sony. 'I sympathize with physical media fans, but Sony will not reverse this decision,' Toto said. 'They knew what the online reaction would be, and they're waiting for the storm to pass.' With over 120 million active PlayStation users and around 50 million PS Plus subscribers, a 500,000 cancellation would represent just 1% of that revenue—not enough to change Sony's mind. Digital downloads dominate game sales, and Sony benefits from lower manufacturing and distribution costs, no retailer cuts, and higher platform fees from third-party games. For first-party titles like The Last of Us, Sony keeps about 65% of physical sales versus 100% for digital. For third-party games like Call of Duty, Sony earns around 15% from physical copies but 30% from digital. Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners suggested Sony might respond to the backlash but doubted a full reversal. 'Their profit margin has been weak for years, so they feel they must act,' Toto concluded. 'From an economic perspective, digital sales make too much sense, especially for platform holders.'