PS6 Won't Go Fully Disc-Less: Ex-PlayStation CEO Shawn Layden Explains Why

Sony Will Not Become 100% Digital for PS6, Says Former CEO

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden spoke with KiwiTalkz about the next generation of PlayStation, primarily the PS6. While most consumers have moved away from physical discs in favor of digital formats, Layden believes PlayStation will not abandon the physical business model due to its dominance in the market. PlayStation’s reach extends beyond regions with fast online connections, and some players still require a physical copy of a game to play on the platform.

KiwiTalkz mentioned that the PS5 Pro is discless and asked Layden whether Sony could release a discless PS6 in the next generation. Layden responded:

“Actually I don’t think Sony can’t get away with it [meaning the PS6] Xbox has had more success pursuing that strategy but, Xbox is most successful in their business in a clutch of countries – US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, all English-speaking countries.”

“Sony which in the number one platform in probably 170 countries, around the world, ‘if we go discless, how much of my market won’t be able to make that jump?’ Which part of your market can’t be served by that – which part of your market will be damaged by going discless? Sony’s market is so globally huge I feel it will be hard for them to go fully discless.”

In the United States (the market with the most detailed public tracking data via Circana), disc-drive PS5 models significantly outsell discless (Digital Edition) models overall, though the gap has narrowed recently.

What do you think? Will the PlayStation 6 go discless or stay physical? Sony could once again offer two options, similar to the PS5 consoles. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.