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 emphasizes Sony's significantly larger global market share. Eliminating physical games would alienate a substantial portion of their user base.
Layden highlighted that Xbox's digital-first approach thrives primarily in English-speaking countries, unlike Sony's widespread global dominance. He questioned Sony's ability to ensure reliable internet access for players in less developed regions, posing the question: "Can users in rural Italy get a decent connection to enjoy games?" He further cited examples like traveling athletes and military personnel who rely on physical games.
Layden suggested Sony is likely assessing the potential market loss from a disc-less model, searching for a "tipping point" where the sacrificed market share is acceptable. However, he doubts Sony will fully embrace a disc-less console, even in the next generation, given their massive global reach.
The debate surrounding disc-less consoles has intensified since the PlayStation 4 generation, fueled by Xbox's digital-only releases. Both PlayStation and Xbox offer digital-only console versions, but Sony has been hesitant to fully commit. This is partly due to the continued availability of external disc drives for their digital consoles, including the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. However, the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus's Games Catalog raises questions about the future of physical media.
Physical media sales are declining, and many major publishers are releasing games requiring internet connections even for disc-based versions. Examples include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which necessitate online access for installation. This trend effectively renders the second disc in older dual-disc releases obsolete, with the extra content now delivered digitally. As physical discs become less crucial, the industry is shifting towards a predominantly digital landscape.
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