Sony's decision to stop producing discs from 2028 continues to be a hot topic – and now an old acquaintance is speaking out. Shawn Layden, former head of worldwide PlayStation Studios and no longer with Sony since 2019, considers the move a mistake.
On The Expansion Pass podcast, Layden said he doesn't know the financial background. However, he suspects it's a strongly spreadsheet-driven decision, aimed at cutting costs and maximizing profits. Nevertheless: 'I don't agree with this decision.'
Why Does Layden Believe the Disc Phase-Out is Wrong?
His core argument: Digital is convenient, no one disputes that. According to Layden, perhaps 80 percent of players download, 20 percent don't – but these are the most loyal of the loyal. This very group often buys two copies of a game, one of them factory-sealed as a collector's item.
Additionally, there's the collecting impulse. Players want to fill shelves, display things, and occasionally revisit individual titles. This feeling of owning something is hard to replace with just a license from the store.
What Does This Mean for the Question of Game Ownership?
According to Layden, the disc phase-out shifts the debate: it suddenly becomes about whether you own a game or merely have access to a digital good. 'If you can't sell something, you don't own it. And if you don't own it, what are you buying then?' the former manager essentially said. Access doesn't sound 'quite as sexy,' and players, when in doubt, always imagine the worst-case scenario. This is 'significant brand damage' for Sony.
How Do We Contextualize This Criticism?
Important: Layden is speaking without insight into Sony's numbers; his criticism is a personal assessment and not insider knowledge. However, the debate is not new. The topic of discs versus downloads is also present on Xbox: The Disc to Digital feature converts existing discs into digital licenses, as our report on the Xbox feature shows.
From our perspective, Layden hits a sore point: Those who buy digitally depend on the platform and provider. Especially collectors and players with weak internet connections will perceive the disc phase-out as a loss – even if the majority have long since downloaded.
Source: VGC
What do you think: Do we need discs, or is digital enough for you? Let us know in the comments!
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