PlayStation Blackout Fails to Make an Impact
An analyst has revealed that the recent PlayStation Blackout initiative did not result in any meaningful changes to player numbers or engagement.
Last month, the blackout took place from August 23 to 30, during which players were encouraged to stop using their consoles and any PlayStation services as a protest against the company’s decision to halt disc production. However, an update on the aftermath of the protest shows disappointing results.
No Visible Impact
Mat Piscatella from Circan recently posted the top 10 titles in the U.S. by weekly active users, and when asked about any changes linked to the blackout, he stated, “No. There was no significant change at all in player count or engagement in our tracking.”
The blackout faced criticism for its one-week duration, with many players arguing that this limited timeframe reduced its potential effectiveness. Additionally, the protest’s timing coincided with Gamescom 2026, which likely drew many players away from their consoles, further diminishing its impact.
After the protest concluded, DoesItPlay, the group behind the movement, noted that “the minimum requirement for the blackout has been reached” and mentioned that there would be future opportunities for action.
Weekly Active User Rankings
In terms of weekly active user rankings:
- PlayStation: Fortnite, NBA 2K27, Roblox
- Xbox: Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty
- Steam: Wardogs, Counter-Strike 2, Helldivers 2
What are your thoughts on the PlayStation Blackout’s lack of significant changes? Share your opinions in the comments and consider joining the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more information, check out the updates on SEGA’s new adaptations for Netflix, including announcements about Sonic and Crazy Taxi. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter!
