Shawn Layden: Sony Unlikely to Launch PlayStation 6 as a Digital-Only Console

Sony has historically hesitated to go fully digital, ensuring that even its digital consoles, such as the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro, support a detachable disc drive

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO Shawn Layden believes that Sony is unlikely to launch the PlayStation 6 as an all-digital, disc-less console. He argues that while Microsoft has found success with its digital-only Xbox strategy, Sony’s extensive global market makes such a transition far more challenging.

Xbox has primarily succeeded with this approach in countries like the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, which are all English-speaking markets. In contrast, Sony's reach extends to approximately 170 countries worldwide, making a full shift away from physical games more difficult. A key concern is accessibility, as not all regions have reliable internet connections. Users in rural areas or countries with less robust infrastructure might struggle to adapt to a fully digital console. Certain groups, such as traveling athletes and military personnel, also rely on physical or offline games, making an all-digital transition even more complicated. Sony is likely evaluating how many of these users it can afford to lose before making such a move.

Sony has historically hesitated to go fully digital, ensuring that even its digital consoles, such as the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro, support a detachable disc drive. This approach indicates that the company is not yet ready to abandon physical media completely. With digital storefronts like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Games Catalog driving digital sales, the decline of physical media continues. Many publishers now release games that require an internet connection, even when purchased on disc. Ubisoft’s upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows mandates an online installation, and EA’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor followed a similar approach.

As physical games become less relevant, the industry inches closer to a digital-only future. However, given the diversity and scale of Sony’s market, a complete transition may still be some time away.