Sony announced plans to stop producing physical discs for new games by 2028, marking a significant shift toward digital-only distribution. The move has drawn criticism from industry veterans and sparked public backlash, including a petition that garnered over 385,000 signatures.
Shawn Layden, who served as President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America from 2014 to 2018, has publicly questioned the decision. Speaking to The Expansion Pass podcast, Layden argued that Sony's stance fundamentally changes the consumer relationship with games.
"It changes the conversation from: do you own a game to do you have access to a digital asset?" Layden said. "If you can't sell a thing, that means you don't own a thing. If you don't own it, what are you buying?"
Layden characterized the decision as "heavily spreadsheeted," suggesting it was driven primarily by financial projections rather than consumer interests. He also claimed Sony has incurred a "significant brand hit" as a result.
The Ownership Question
Sony's position on digital ownership has drawn additional scrutiny. In court filings related to a proposed class action lawsuit in California, Sony argued that no reasonable consumer believes they own digital games purchased on the PlayStation Store. The company maintains that its Terms of Service and Software Product License Agreement clearly state users receive only a revocable license, not ownership rights.
Impact on Collectors
While Layden acknowledged that approximately 20 percent of gamers still purchase physical discs, he emphasized that this segment represents the "most faithful" consumers. These buyers, he noted, often purchase multiple copies and view physical games as collectibles similar to comic books.
"[They are] the people who buy two copies of every game. One never gets out of the shrink wrap, and you play the other one," Layden explained. He stressed that dedicated collectors value the ability to own and display physical products.
Broader Industry Response
The decision has prompted discussions about alternative ownership models. Some have cited NFTs and blockchain-based solutions as potential frameworks for verifiable game ownership. However, such systems still rely on centralized hosting and third-party infrastructure, meaning users remain dependent on external services for access to their purchases.
