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 emphasizes Sony's significantly larger global market share. Eliminating physical games would alienate a substantial portion of their user base.

Layden highlighted that Xbox's digital-first approach thrives primarily in English-speaking countries, unlike Sony's widespread reach across approximately 170 nations. He questioned Sony's ability to ensure reliable online access for all players, citing potential issues for users in less developed regions or those with limited internet connectivity. He used examples like rural Italy or individuals in remote locations such as traveling athletes or military personnel who rely on physical games. Layden suggests Sony is likely conducting market research to determine the acceptable level of market share loss before committing to a disc-less model.

The debate surrounding disc-less consoles has intensified since the PlayStation 4 generation, fueled by Xbox's digital-only console releases. Both PlayStation and Xbox offer digital-only versions of their current consoles, yet Sony has remained hesitant to fully embrace a disc-less future. This is further evidenced by the fact that even Sony's digital-only consoles, including the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, can be retrofitted with a disc drive.

However, the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus's Games Catalog, coupled with declining physical media sales, raises questions about the long-term viability of disc-based games. Many major publishers are releasing games that require an internet connection even for disc-based installations, blurring the lines between physical and digital distribution. This trend is exemplified by games like Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which necessitate online access for installation. The traditional two-disc format (install and play) is effectively being replaced by downloadable content.

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