Sony execs behind iconic game-sharing meme recreate it, but fittingly, without a physical game

In 2013, Sony executives Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes created a viral 22-second instructional video demonstrating how PS4 owners could share physical games with friends. The video was a cheeky public relations victory that mocked Microsoft’s Xbox One DRM policies, which severely restricted used game sales and game sharing. The simplicity of the message—just hand the disc to a friend—resonated widely as the gaming community rallied against Microsoft’s consumer-unfriendly approach.

Thirteen years later, at Tokyo Game Show 2026, the former PlayStation executives reunited to recreate the iconic moment. However, the recreation carries a starkly different—and ironic—message: there is no disc to share this time. The video now serves as commentary on the gaming industry’s shift toward all-digital distribution. Sony has announced that physical disc-based releases for PlayStation 5 will end in 2028, effectively rendering the original video’s central premise obsolete.

The recreation captures a bittersweet moment in gaming history. What was once a triumphant demonstration of consumer-friendly practices now symbolizes their erosion. While the original video celebrated the freedom to physically share games, the 2026 version highlights how far the industry has moved toward digital-only ecosystems, where game sharing rights are controlled entirely by digital storefronts. The irony underscores the shift from a physical medium where ownership meant tangible rights, to a digital age where ownership is increasingly restricted to licensed access.

Sony execs behind iconic game-sharing meme recreate it, but fittingly, without a physical game

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