Sony PS6: Layden on Disc-Less Future

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO, Shawn Layden, believes Sony cannot afford to release a completely disc-less PlayStation 6. While acknowledging Xbox's success with this strategy, Layden emphasizes Sony's significantly larger global market share. He argues that eliminating physical and offline games would alienate a substantial portion of their player base.

Layden points out that Xbox's digital-first approach thrives primarily in English-speaking countries, unlike Sony's widespread global dominance. He questions the feasibility of a disc-less PlayStation, considering the accessibility challenges in regions with limited internet infrastructure, citing examples like rural Italy. He also highlights the reliance on physical games among specific demographics, such as traveling athletes and military personnel. Layden suggests Sony is likely assessing the potential market impact of a disc-less console, acknowledging a threshold where sacrificing a segment of the market might be deemed acceptable. However, he believes Sony's vast global reach makes a fully disc-less transition a significant hurdle, even for the next generation.

This debate within the video game industry intensified with the release of digital-only Xbox consoles. Both PlayStation and Xbox offer digital-only console versions (including the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition), but Sony has yet to commit fully to a disc-less model. This is notable given that even their digital consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, offer the option of adding a separate disc drive. The rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Games Catalog further fuels speculation about the future of physical media.

Physical game sales continue to decline, and many major publishers now release games requiring internet connectivity even on disc. Examples include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla (requiring an internet connection for installation) and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (also requiring an online connection). This trend effectively turns what was once a second disc (an install disc and a play disc) into downloadable content. With physical discs becoming less critical, the question of a completely disc-less PlayStation 6 remains a significant point of discussion.