Sony has reportedly introduced its strictest internal social media guidelines yet following the backlash surrounding its decision to stop producing physical PlayStation game discs beginning in 2028.

While Sony has continued posting across its official social media channels since the announcement, the company has largely avoided directly addressing the criticism from players who remain concerned about the future of physical game ownership.

Now, former Santa Monica Studio writer Alanah Pearce has shared new details about how Sony allegedly handled internal communications during the controversy.

Alanah Pearce Claims Sony Issued Unprecedented Guidelines

Speaking in a recent YouTube video, Pearce said she had spoken with employees working across several PlayStation first-party studios.

According to her sources, Sony distributed unusually strict instructions outlining what employees were—and were not—allowed to discuss publicly following the announcement.

Pearce explained that Sony regularly provides communication guidelines to staff working on unreleased projects, including during her own time contributing to God of War: Laufey.

However, she believes this situation was different.

“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.”

According to Pearce, employees felt the restrictions were noticeably more comprehensive than previous internal communication policies.

Sony Expected Major Backlash

Pearce suggested the stricter guidelines indicate Sony anticipated a significant public reaction before officially announcing the move away from physical game discs.

She believes the company understood the decision would generate widespread debate among PlayStation fans and therefore wanted to tightly control public messaging across its internal studios.

Although Sony has not publicly commented on these reported internal policies, the company has so far avoided directly responding to criticism surrounding its long-term digital strategy.

Physical Media Debate Continues

Sony’s reported plan to stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from 2028 has reignited one of gaming’s biggest ongoing discussions.

Many players continue to argue that physical games offer advantages including:

• Permanent ownership.
• The ability to lend or resell games.
• Better long-term game preservation.
• Protection against digital storefront closures.

Supporters of an all-digital future, meanwhile, point to the convenience of digital libraries and instant downloads.

The debate is unlikely to disappear anytime soon, especially as more publishers continue shifting toward digital-first releases.

The Industry Continues Moving Toward Digital

The discussion has become even more relevant following reports that several upcoming blockbuster titles are also embracing digital distribution.

One of the biggest examples is Grand Theft Auto VI, which is currently expected to launch without a physical edition according to recent reports, further fueling concerns about the future of boxed games.

For now, Sony has not officially responded to Alanah Pearce’s claims regarding the reported social media guidelines, leaving players waiting to see whether the company will address the controversy more directly in the future.