PlayStation Boss: Sony's PS6 Vision

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 customer base.

Layden points out that Xbox's digital-first approach thrives primarily in English-speaking countries, unlike Sony's widespread global dominance. He questions Sony's ability to ensure reliable internet access for all players, citing potential issues in regions with limited connectivity, such as rural Italy. He also mentions other groups reliant on physical media, including athletes on the road and military personnel on bases. Layden suggests Sony is likely assessing the impact of abandoning these segments.

The debate surrounding disc-less consoles has intensified since the PlayStation 4 generation, fueled by Xbox's digital-only releases. Both companies offer digital-only console versions (PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S), yet Sony remains hesitant to fully embrace a disc-less future.

Even Sony's digital consoles, including the PS5 Digital Edition, offer the option of adding an external disc drive. This contrasts with Xbox's commitment to digital services like Game Pass, a model Sony is mirroring with PlayStation Plus. The question remains: how long before physical games become obsolete?

Physical media sales are declining, and many publishers release games requiring online access even from physical discs. Examples include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla (likely a typo, should be Assassin's Creed Valhalla or another title) and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, both needing internet connectivity for installation. The practice of including what was once a second disc as downloadable content further underscores this shift.

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This trend, coupled with the rising popularity of subscription services, raises questions about the future of physical game media.