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 for users in rural areas with limited connectivity. He also mentions specific groups reliant on physical media, such as athletes traveling or military personnel on bases with limited online access. Layden suggests Sony is likely assessing the potential market loss before making a decision. The key question, he emphasizes, is determining the acceptable level of market share loss before abandoning physical media.
The debate surrounding digital-only consoles has intensified since the PlayStation 4 generation, spurred by Xbox's release of digital-only consoles. Both PlayStation and Xbox offer digital-only versions of their current consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X/S), yet Sony has resisted a complete shift to digital. This is partly due to the option to add a disc drive to even their digital-only PS5 models. However, the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus's Games Catalog fuels speculation about the future of physical games.
Physical media sales are declining, and many major publishers are releasing games requiring online access for installation, even those on disc. Examples include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. This trend essentially transforms what was once a second installation disc into downloadable content.
AnswerSee ResultsThis shift towards digital distribution raises questions about the long-term viability of disc-based games.
