In 2013, Sony released a 21-second video titled 'Official PlayStation Used Game Instructional Video' that mocked Microsoft's plans for the Xbox One, which would have restricted sharing and reselling physical games. The video simply showed how to share a PS4 game—by handing the disc to someone else—and was so effective that Microsoft reversed its policy. Now, with Sony announcing it will ditch physical releases for PS5 games, the video has become bitterly ironic.
Fans React with Anger and Resentment
The top comments under the YouTube video are no longer celebratory. User iammohaumodiko wrote, 'You’ve become the villain you mocked,' echoing The Dark Knight quote. Themindslyde commented, 'This is how you own yourself 13 years later.' Simonematjeke5248 said, 'Play does have limits after all,' referencing Sony's 'Play has no limits' slogan. BboyJoshyWashy123 added, 'I commented five years ago saying, ‘this is gold’. Well, they became the villains they mocked and ridiculed.' Enum_Dev suggested Sony might take the video down due to its poor aging. PoolBoy314's comment, 'This is like watching the wedding video after the divorce,' has 6,600 likes.
The Shift to Digital-Only
Sony plans to abandon physical games for the remainder of the PS5's life cycle and the eventual PS6, making it a purely digital console. This eliminates the ability to easily share games, a feature Sony championed for the PS4. While Sony allows digital game sharing on PS5, it's not straightforward. The company could improve its refund policy—currently a 14-day window voided if the game is installed—to alleviate backlash. However, starting from 2028, all purchased PlayStation games will be licenses that can be revoked at any time.
Departure of Key Figures
The two men in the video, Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes, have long left PlayStation. Yoshida left in late 2024 after leading first-party development during the PS4 era. Boyes, vice president of third-party relations until 2016, is now CEO of Vivrato, an advisory company for game studios.
