Ethan Crossfield 
Sony’s September 3, 2026, PlayStation State of Play showcase became a visible outlet for two ongoing fan campaigns. Chat participants repeatedly called for Destiny 3 and protested Sony’s planned move away from physical game discs, turning the presentation into a referendum on the company’s recent decisions rather than a straightforward games showcase.
What happened during the State of Play
Messages supporting a Destiny sequel and opposing digital-only releases made up more than 90% of the showcase chat, according to the source material. The reaction connected two separate disputes that have continued to build around Sony. One concerns the company’s plan to stop producing physical discs from January 2028. The other centers on Destiny 2’s shutdown and the lack of approval for a follow-up developed by Bungie.
The physical-media backlash intensified after Sony argued in a recent class-action response that consumers should not reasonably believe they own digital games after purchasing them. That position has further inflamed the debate over what customers receive when they buy a digital title. During the State of Play, the chat showed that the issue remains highly active among PlayStation users.
Why fans are demanding Destiny 3
Destiny 2 continues to attract more than 25,000 daily players on Steam alone, yet Sony has ended development on the looter-shooter and has not publicly committed to a sequel. A petition supporting Destiny 3 has reportedly passed 410,000 signatures, while reports claim Bungie pitched the project several times but failed to secure approval because of its projected cost.
Estimates place Destiny 3’s development budget at roughly $500 million. That price may be difficult for Sony to justify after Bungie’s weak performance following its acquisition. Bungie’s current plans are also unclear. Reports surrounding layoffs suggested that the studio had no greenlit games beyond incubation projects, with Project Gummy Bear transferred to another Sony studio. Marathon has been released, but its Steam audience has struggled to reach even a few thousand players.
What to watch next
Sony has not publicly confirmed that Destiny 3 is being developed, and the available information points to no immediate change. The company is reportedly continuing its digital strategy despite the backlash, including pressure from PlayStation fans and the direction being considered by Xbox. That makes a reversal on physical discs unlikely in the near term.
For Destiny players, the most important signal will be whether Sony announces any new Bungie project with full approval and funding. Until then, the petition and State of Play chat demonstrate demand, not a production commitment. The same distinction applies to the physical-media campaign: its visibility is clear, but there is no indication that Sony has changed its January 2028 plan.
Key takeaways for PlayStation and Destiny fans
- Destiny 3 supporters dominated the State of Play conversation alongside physical-media protesters.
- A petition calling for Destiny 3 has reportedly exceeded 410,000 signatures.
- Sony has not announced a sequel or confirmed that Bungie has a greenlit Destiny project.
- Sony’s current plan is to stop producing physical discs from January 2028.
- The company is reportedly maintaining its digital strategy despite the public backlash.
Expert View
The State of Play reaction matters because it shows that these controversies are no longer confined to social-media arguments or isolated community complaints. Fans carried both issues into one of Sony’s most visible communication channels, making the company’s audience expectations impossible to ignore. However, visibility should not be mistaken for leverage. Unless Sony sees a clear commercial case for restoring physical releases or funding a $500 million Destiny sequel, the protests are more likely to shape the platform’s reputation than its immediate strategy.
