Former Sony Exec Warns PlayStation 6 Can’t Go Fully Digital

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO Shawn Layden has cautioned that Sony cannot afford to launch the PlayStation 6 as an all-digital, disc-less console, citing the company’s vast global market and diverse user base.

In a recent interview, Layden emphasized that PlayStation’s dominance in approximately 170 countries makes it difficult to abandon physical media entirely. “I don’t think Sony can get away with it now,” Layden said. “Xbox has had more success in pursuing that strategy, but their market is concentrated in English-speaking countries like the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Sony’s global reach requires them to consider users in areas with limited internet access, such as rural Italy.”

Layden highlighted specific segments of the market that rely on physical or offline gaming, including traveling athletes and military personnel. “Which part of your market will be damaged by going disc-less?” he asked. “I’m sure they’re doing their research on it. But Sony’s market is so huge, it would be hard for them to go fully disc-less, even with the next generation.”

While both Sony and Microsoft have released digital-only versions of their current consoles—the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S—Sony has resisted fully committing to a disc-less future. The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, for example, can be upgraded with a separate disc drive, allowing users to play physical games. However, the gaming industry has seen a shift toward digital distribution, with many major publishers releasing games that require internet connectivity even on physical discs.

Layden’s comments come as rumors about the PlayStation 6’s development circulate. Although the console has yet to be officially announced, reports suggest that work on the next-generation system is already underway. The PlayStation 6 is expected to feature advanced hardware, with its system-on-chip (SoC) design reportedly complete and in production. Additionally, rumors indicate that Sony may be developing a more affordable variant, potentially for a handheld device.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the debate over physical versus digital media remains a key issue. For now, it appears that Sony is treading carefully, balancing innovation with the needs of its diverse global audience.