Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has voiced concerns regarding Sony's decision to discontinue physical game discs, a move slated to take effect in 2028. Layden, speaking on The Expansion Pass podcast, acknowledged the convenience of digital downloads but stressed the importance of physical media for a dedicated segment of the player base.
While Layden was not privy to the internal discussions, he suggested that the move to digital-only is misguided, noting that a significant, albeit smaller, portion of gamers still rely on physical copies. He highlighted that these players are often the most dedicated, sometimes purchasing multiple copies of games, with one remaining sealed.
The core of Layden's argument centers on the concept of ownership versus access. He stated that the inability to resell physical media fundamentally alters the consumer's relationship with a game, shifting it from ownership to a form of digital access. "If you can't sell a thing, it means you don't own a thing. If you don't own it, then what are you buying? If you're buying access that doesn't quite sound as sexy, to be honest," Layden explained.
This distinction is particularly significant for console gaming, where options for DRM-free archiving, similar to those found on PC platforms like GOG, are unlikely to be offered by PlayStation. Layden drew parallels between Sony's removal of digital movie ownership for users and the potential implications for game ownership, noting that consumers naturally consider worst-case scenarios, which can lead to reputational damage for the company.
Sony's decision to phase out discs has already drawn significant backlash and criticism, impacting the company's reputation. The long-term financial benefits of eliminating disc production will be weighed against the considerable goodwill lost among its player base.