Former PlayStation executives Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes have revisited their memorable "Official PlayStation Used Game Instructional Video" from 2013. The duo reunited at Tokyo Game Show to recreate the viral clip, which originally served as a lighthearted jab at Microsoft's then-proposed policies regarding used game sales on the Xbox One. This reenactment arrives as Sony prepares to phase out physical disc production for new games, a transition set to be completed by January 2028.
The original 20-second video, featuring Boyes and Yoshida humorously demonstrating how to share physical PS4 games, garnered significant attention and millions of views on YouTube. Its reappearance now carries a different weight, acknowledging the industry's pivot towards digital distribution and away from physical media.
Yoshida shared a photo of himself and Boyes at the event on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it with "Met with a best friend :D." The image, reminiscent of their earlier collaboration, has circulated online, drawing commentary from fans. Some observers noted the irony of the situation, with accounts like @DoesItPlay1 on X pointing out the contrast between Sony's past defense of game sharing and its current direction.
Sony's decision to end physical disc production for new titles, announced earlier this year, has been a subject of considerable discussion and criticism. While the company has stated that the move aligns with evolving consumer preferences and will not negatively impact its business, the shift has been met with mixed reactions. The move is projected to increase Sony's revenue per sale, as physical copies incur significant costs from retailers and manufacturing.
This development occurs as competitors like Xbox are exploring ways to allow players to digitize their existing physical game libraries. The contrast between Sony's discless future and Xbox's approach to physical media has not gone unnoticed by the gaming community, highlighting the diverging strategies in the industry's ongoing transition.