The End of an Era: Sony’s Farewell to Discs Means No More “Disc Butts”?!

Sony’s recent announcement that it is ceasing production of physical game discs for PlayStation consoles, starting in 2028, has sent ripples throughout the gaming community. While concerns about digital ownership and the used games market are valid and significant, I want to lament a more… whimsical consequence: the demise of “Disc Butts.”

What is a “Disc Butt”?

A “Disc Butt,” for those unfamiliar, is a delightful (and often unintentional) phenomenon where the artwork on a game disc can be manipulated with your fingers to create the illusion of a character’s posterior. The most iconic example, and arguably the genesis of this internet meme, is Bloodborne, as shown below:

Bloodborne’s cover art, when cleverly positioned, provides a rather cheeky visual gag. But it’s not alone! Other games, like Overwatch, have also offered opportunities for this playful interaction:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA BUTTS
#Blizzard
#Overwatch
#Tracer
pic.twitter.com/lCKoKJ4sOI

Stacey Jenkins, a prominent voice in the gaming community, perfectly captured the essence of this phenomenon years ago. And let’s not forget Far Cry: Primal and Uncharted 4, which also provided opportunities for some digital derrieres to be “discovered.”

Now, if you already own these physical copies, your ability to create these amusing visual gags remains intact. However, with Sony’s decision, the era of new Disc Butts is coming to a close. And while it might seem trivial compared to broader concerns about game ownership and accessibility, it represents a small but significant loss for those who appreciate the tactile experience of gaming.

“But surely,” you might argue, “game developers have learned their lesson and would never intentionally design a disc that allows for such a visual gag?” Sadly, I’m not so optimistic. Companies rarely learn from their mistakes, and I suspect that if physical discs were still being produced, someone, somewhere, would inevitably create another opportunity for digital derrieres to be “revealed.” But after 2028, this playful possibility will be a thing of the past.

I understand that this is a minor issue compared to the larger implications of Sony’s decision. I am personally concerned about the lack of true ownership and the potential impact on game prices. And I miss the days of bargain bins and physical media. But there’s something inherently satisfying about holding a physical object, interacting with it in unexpected ways, and sharing that experience with others. It’s a connection to the gaming world that goes beyond pixels on a screen.

So, while I acknowledge the bigger picture concerns, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of no new “Disc Butts” gracing PlayStation discs. Bloodborne will have to suffice for now. And perhaps, in some small way, it represents a loss of that tactile connection to gaming that many of us cherish.