Sony reportedly introduced its toughest social media restrictions yet after announcing plans to stop producing physical game discs for new releases beginning in 2028. Alanah Pearce, a former Santa Monica Studio employee, said staff at PlayStation’s first-party studios were given especially strict instructions about what they could say publicly.
The move toward an all-digital future has kept the physical media debate active, particularly because Sony has continued posting on social media without directly addressing much of the criticism. The company’s plans and their effect on existing physical games were discussed in recent PlayStation hardware messaging, while the policy itself remains a sore point for players who prefer boxed releases.
What Alanah Pearce Said About Sony’s Guidelines
Pearce discussed the matter in a recent YouTube video, saying people working at first-party studios told her the guidance surrounding the disc decision was the strictest they had encountered for a public communications issue.
She explained that Sony regularly gives employees instructions about subjects they can and cannot discuss. Pearce also recalled receiving similar rules while working as a writer on the upcoming God of War: Laufey, including guidance tied to the game’s announcement.
According to Pearce, the unusually tight restrictions suggest Sony knew the disc announcement would create a major public relations problem. Her comments do not amount to an official statement from Sony, and the company has not publicly confirmed the details of the reported guidelines.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Adds Pressure to the Debate
Grand Theft Auto 6 is among the major releases currently expected to move further toward an all-digital model. The source material says there are no current plans for a physical version of Rockstar’s next game, adding another high-profile example to the wider discussion around the future of game discs.
Sony’s reported social media rules arrive as players continue to question how quickly the company is moving away from physical releases. Share your thoughts on the policy and Sony’s approach in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram.
