Anyone who lived through E3 2013 probably remembers Sony’s brutal, yet elegant, response to Microsoft’s original Xbox One game-sharing restrictions. Back then, Xbox One’s proposed system tied physical games to accounts, making reselling — or just lending one — subject to Microsoft’s rules. Sony’s answer was a short, tongue-in-cheek 22-second video titled Official PlayStation Used Game Instructional Video. Then-PlayStation Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida simply handed a PS4 game to his fellow executive Adam Boyes. That was it. No account checks, no lengthy explanation, no excuses; just two people passing a disc around and twisting the knife.
More than a decade later, Yoshida and Boyes, who’re no longer at the company, have apparently decided the joke deserves another round. The two reunited during Tokyo Game Show 2026 and recreated the famous pose in front of PlayStation’s booth. There was one rather important difference this time, though — neither of them had a game in their hands. Instead, the pair simply mimed the original handoff while looking shocked at the camera.
“Met with a best friend :D” wrote Yoshida on X, while tagging Boyes’ @amboyes and official PlayStation Japan’s accounts. Naturally, this antic was welcomed with open arms. “There is no way you just doing the meme LMAO,” replied one user to the post. “The team up we need right now to save PlayStation,” another chimed in. Others couldn’t help but connect the dots, “Even former PlayStation executives are making fun of current @PlayStation.”
Given PlayStation’s current direction, you can hardly blame them for making fun of that iconic moment. After all, Sony confirmed earlier this year that it will stop producing new Blu-ray discs from January 2028. Surprising absolutely no one, the news hasn’t gone over quietly.
A ‘Don’t Kill the Disc’ petition on Change.org quickly attracted more than 100,000 signatures within its first four days, with now crossing over 380.000 mark. PlayStation’s social media account, too, is often flooded with fans asking for continued disc support.
Some fairly recognizable names have joined the criticism as well. Hideo Kojima called the move ‘very sad’ and raised concerns about a future where players merely pay for access to companies’ servers. Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa similarly argued that Sony hasn’t fully considered the sentimental value of physical copies. Meanwhile, longtime Solid Snake voice actor David Hayter was much more succinct, showing off his collection of boxed games with the hashtag ‘#NoDiscNOBUY.’
Interestingly, Yoshida has on the record said that he isn’t entirely opposed to Sony’s plan, describing himself as a ‘totally digital consumer.’ Although he did mention it would be a shame if there were nothing left for people to physically collect.
