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 model, Layden emphasizes Sony's significantly larger global market share. Eliminating physical games would alienate a substantial portion of their player base.

Layden highlighted Xbox's stronger digital-only performance in primarily English-speaking countries (U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa). He contrasted this with Sony's dominance across approximately 170 countries, questioning the feasibility of a disc-less transition given the varied internet access and infrastructure globally. He cited examples like rural areas in Italy and locations with limited connectivity, such as military bases or areas where athletes travel, where physical games remain crucial. Layden suggested Sony is likely assessing the potential market loss associated with a disc-less console. The question, he posed, is determining the acceptable level of market share sacrifice before abandoning physical media.

The debate surrounding digital-only consoles has intensified since the PlayStation 4 generation, fueled by Xbox's digital-first approach. Both companies offer digital-only console versions (PlayStation 5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S), yet Sony remains hesitant to fully embrace a disc-less future. This is partly due to the fact that even their digital-only consoles can be retrofitted with external disc drives. However, the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus's Games Catalog raises questions about the long-term viability of physical media.

Physical game sales are declining, and many major publishers are releasing games that require online access even from physical discs. Examples include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, both requiring internet connectivity for installation. The practice of including what was once a second disc as downloadable content further underscores the shifting landscape.

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