Shawn Layden criticizes Sony's decision to end PlayStation discs

Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has criticized Sony’s decision to phase out physical game discs by 2028, warning that the move could damage the brand’s relationship with its most loyal customers.

Speaking on The Expansion Pass podcast, Layden noted that while digital downloads offer convenience, physical media remains vital to a significant segment of the market. He estimated that while roughly 80% of players may prefer digital, the remaining 20% represent the ‘most faithful of the faithful’—collectors who often purchase multiple copies of a title to preserve unopened versions.

Layden raised significant concerns regarding digital ownership, suggesting that moving away from discs shifts the consumer experience from owning a product to merely licensing access to a digital asset. He remarked, “If you can’t sell a [game], then you don’t own it,” implying that the inability to resell or lend physical copies fundamentally changes the nature of the purchase.