The trailer for Zach Cregger's upcoming Resident Evil movie has become an unexpected focal point for fan frustration regarding Sony's decision to cease support for physical game discs in 2028. While the film itself is a Sony Pictures production and has no direct ties to the PlayStation brand, its trailer was uploaded to the official PlayStation YouTube channel, providing a space for commenters to voice their displeasure creatively.
The video has garnered nearly 2,000 comments, many of which directly reference the ongoing debate about physical media. Top-ranked comments include humorous remarks like "He's transporting the last physical game copy in existence" and "I cannot wait to get the physical version of this." Other users have quipped, "Luckily, there was an old typewriter upstairs, and he was able to save" and "Leon... where are the physical discs?" Acknowledging the dual functionality of current consoles, one commenter noted, "I love using my PlayStation 5 as a Blu-ray player," while another alluded to the movie's theme with, "This movie looks like it's going to get physical."
Despite business logic that may drive Sony's decision, the move has not been met with enthusiasm from its fanbase. A petition urging Sony to reconsider has amassed hundreds of thousands of signatures, though industry experts largely believe the company will proceed with its plan. This shift away from physical media is not exclusive to Sony's future plans; other publishers are already implementing similar strategies. Rockstar Games, for instance, is reportedly charging $80 for Grand Theft Auto 6 and will not be releasing a disc version, opting instead for a retail release that includes only a code for the game. Concerns have also been raised about the longevity of these codes, with reports indicating that in Japan, such codes may require redemption within 170 days. The Resident Evil movie is slated for theatrical release on September 18. It arrives with considerable anticipation, following the critical success of Cregger's previous films, Barbarian and Weapons.