Former PlayStation Boss Shawn Layden Says Sony Can't Get Away With Making PS6 Disc-less

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO, Shawn Layden, believes Sony cannot afford to release a completely digital, disc-less PlayStation 6. While acknowledging Xbox's success with this strategy, Layden highlights Sony's significantly larger global market share. Eliminating physical games would alienate a substantial portion of their user base.

Layden points out that Xbox's digital-first approach thrives primarily in English-speaking countries, unlike Sony's widespread dominance across approximately 170 nations. He questions the accessibility for users in regions with less reliable internet infrastructure, citing examples like rural Italy. He also mentions the needs of specific groups reliant on physical media, such as athletes traveling or military personnel on bases. Layden suggests Sony is likely assessing the potential impact on these market segments.

The debate surrounding disc-less consoles has intensified since the PlayStation 4 era, fueled by Xbox's digital-only releases. Both companies offer digital-only console versions (PlayStation 5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S), but Sony has refrained from a complete shift. This is partly due to the availability of add-on disc drives for their digital consoles, including the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.

However, with the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Games Catalog, and the declining sales of physical media, the question of disc-based games' longevity remains. Many publishers now release games requiring online installation, even those distributed on physical discs, further blurring the lines. The practice of including what was once a second disc as downloadable content underscores this shift.

Would you buy a PlayStation 6 without a disc drive?

YesNoAnswerSee Results This trend, coupled with the decreasing reliance on physical media, raises questions about the future of disc-based gaming.