ⓘ Sony, Canva AI
Sony’s shift away from physical games has met with largely negative reactions. Nevertheless, a minority online is voicing support for a fully digital future. Some players have noticed suspicious activities among these supporters, leading a content creator known as Moore’s Law Is Dead to suspect that Sony may be using bots to counteract negative media coverage.
Are Bots Being Used?
Following Sony’s announcement to reduce PS5 disc production starting in 2028, the company’s marketing efforts have faced continuous criticism. As outrage persists, PlayStation likely seeks positive voices. One method to achieve this may be through automated accounts, similar to what companies sometimes deploy to influence public perception. MLID found few supporters of Sony’s decision but closely examined three suspicious accounts.
In the first instance, the account cited a report confirming the closure of the PS3 and Vita stores. While this news is hardly positive, the suspected bot praised the development. The YouTuber referred to this as “decisive evidence,” noting that the account liked a post related to the film The Odyssey shortly before Insomniac Games confirmed that a trailer for Marvel’s Wolverine would be shown during film screenings.
The second case revolved around an account that had been inactive for six years. Suddenly, it began praising Rockstar Games and GTA 6 using notably “corporate” language. This profile also referenced an unused TikTok account that appeared to be prepared for further paid promotions.
Connections to GTA 6 Marketing
The third suspicious account is considered particularly likely to be a social media bot. After three years of inactivity, this X account shifted between religious, political, and gaming topics. It then made a peculiar statement claiming that the person did not want to own either digital or physical games. The profile followed numerous now-deleted accounts, supported other obvious bots with likes, and shared a presumably AI-generated image of the alleged person.
The insider cannot confirm whether PlayStation is indeed using bots to combat supporters of PS5 discs. It is equally challenging to determine if a coordinated PR campaign or third-party motives are at play. However, the market for purchased interactions persists, partly because large companies often utilize such services to promote products or shape public opinions.
