- Digital gaming has grown exponentially over the last two generations.
- Despite the prevalence of digital media, the former PlayStation boss does not see Sony going all-digital with the PS6.
- He believes the gaming giant has too big of a market that still shows significant demand for physical media.
Digital gaming has grown at an unprecedented rate over the years, marking a steady shift away from physical copies. Whether it be PlayStation or Xbox, gaming giants around the globe see most of their income from digital purchases today.
This shift has sparked concerns about the companies potentially abandoning physical games altogether in the future. However, one former PlayStation executive reckons physical gaming is still big enough for Sony not to ignore it with the PS6.
Why it matters: Both Xbox and PlayStation already offered discless models this generation. Sony also launched the PS5 Pro without a disc drive, offering users the ability to purchase one as an add-on.
On the latest episode of the Kiwi Talkz podcast, Shawn Layden was asked whether the PS6 would be completely discless. This question was brought up in relation to the gaming giant’s decision to launch the PS5 Pro without a disc drive.
The former PlayStation executive was quick to point out how big Sony’s gaming market is. He noted that Xbox has had more success with this strategy since its market is much smaller.
On the other hand, Sony’s gaming influence spans over a hundred countries. This means that the PS6 could risk losing out on millions of potential customers around the globe if it does not offer a proper disc drive.
Sony’s market is globally so huge; I think it’ll be hard for them to go fully discless, even with the next generation.
-Shawn Layden
Shawn Layden also discussed instances like athletes traveling with their consoles or military officers playing games on their hardware without access to internet connections. These examples highlight why a disc-based PS6 would still be very relevant a few years from now.
Do you buy physical copies of your games? Would you be fine with the PS6 skipping a disc drive? Let us know in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
Join Our Community
