During the Tokyo Game Show 2026, former PlayStation figures Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes posed for a photo that instantly recalled the viral used-game instructional video released in 2013. The pair stood side-by-side, hands outstretched, but holding nothing – a visual punchline that reflects Sony’s announced shift away from discs, scheduled for 2028.
The 2013 video that became a launch-day legend
In the months that preceded the debut of the PS4 and the Xbox One, Microsoft’s strict DRM policy for second-hand titles sparked a firestorm among gamers. Sony seized the moment with a concise 22-second clip that mocked the Xbox One approach. In the video, then-president of first-party studios Shuhei Yoshida handed Adam Boyes, the head of third-party relations, a physical copy of Killzone: Shadow Fall. The instruction was simple: “step one – hand over the disc; step two – there is no step two.” The stark contrast to Microsoft’s cumbersome process resonated, accruing over 21 million views in the following thirteen years and cementing itself as a defining piece of PS4 marketing.
Recreating the meme at Tokyo Game Show 2026
At a press-friendly corner of the Tokyo Game Show, Yoshida posted a tweet that read, “Met with a best friend,” alongside the recreated pose. Instead of a cartridge, both executives displayed empty palms, prompting a fan reply: “This is how you share games with your friends in 2028.” The image was more than a nostalgic gag; it underscored Sony’s imminent transition to an all-digital catalogue. Yoshida, who left Sony in early 2025 after a 31-year tenure, later defended the move, stating, “Personally, I’m a totally digital consumer” and emphasizing the inconvenience of swapping physical media.
Sony’s all-digital future and the community’s response
Earlier in 2026, Sony confirmed that new PlayStation titles would no longer be produced on optical discs beginning in 2028. The decision triggered a wave of backlash from collectors and players who cherish ownership of physical copies. Online petitions urged the company to “don’t kill the disc,” while some attempted to organize protests. Analysts cited by Eurogamer warned that the shift could deliver a “hammer blow” to brick-and-mortar retailers that depend on physical sales. Former Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shawn Layden has publicly expressed reservations, noting he does not “necessarily agree” with ending disc releases, although he acknowledged the decision lay beyond his authority.
The lingering legacy of a 22-second stunt
Even though both Yoshida and Boyes have moved on—Boyes departed PlayStation in —their brief reenactment reminded the gaming world how a simple, well-timed piece of marketing can shape brand perception for over a decade. The original clip’s success illustrates the power of clear, relatable messaging in a crowded console war, while the 2026 photo demonstrates how legacy moments can be repurposed to comment on evolving industry strategies.
