Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO Shawn Layden has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of launching the PlayStation 6 as an all-digital, disc-less console. In a conversation with Kiwi Talkz, Layden highlighted the significant market share PlayStation holds globally, suggesting that removing physical and offline game options would alienate too many users.
Layden pointed out that while Xbox has seen success with its digital-only strategy, this approach has been most effective in English-speaking countries such as the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In contrast, Sony's market spans approximately 170 countries, making it challenging to transition to a fully disc-less model. He emphasized the need for Sony to consider whether users in regions like rural Italy, where internet connectivity might be poor, would be able to enjoy games without physical media.
He also mentioned other segments of the market that rely heavily on physical media, such as traveling athletes and military bases. Layden speculated that Sony is likely conducting research to determine the potential impact of moving to a disc-less market, weighing the percentage of the market they might be willing to leave behind.
The debate over digital-only consoles has been ongoing since the PlayStation 4 era but intensified with the release of digital-only versions of the current PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. While Xbox has embraced this shift with services like Game Pass, Sony has maintained the option for physical media, even allowing users to upgrade their digital consoles, such as the $700 PlayStation 5 Pro, with a separate disc drive.
The trend toward digital distribution is evident as sales of physical media continue to decline, and many major game publishers are releasing titles that require an internet connection to install or play, even when purchased on disc. Examples include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which both necessitate an online connection for installation. This shift has led to what was once additional content on a second disc being released as downloadable content, further reducing the reliance on physical media.
