The PlayStation 6 is still on the horizon, but the rumor mill is already churning. A major point of speculation revolves around its design: will it embrace a fully digital distribution model, or will it retain the traditional disc drive? Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO, Shawn Layden, recently shared his perspective, expressing serious doubts about the practicality of a disc-less PlayStation 6.
Sony’s Global Reach Makes Digital-Only Tricky
Layden talked about this in an interview with Kiwi Talkz. He said that Sony sells PlayStations in way more countries than Xbox. “I don’t think Sony can get away with it now,” Layden said. He pointed out that Xbox’s all-digital strategy works better for them because they mostly sell in countries like the US, Canada, and the UK, where most people have good internet. “I think Xbox has had more success in pursuing that strategy, but Xbox is really most successful in their business in a clutch of countries…all English-speaking countries.”
Internet Access is a Problem for Many
Sony sells PlayStations in about 170 countries. Layden thinks it’s important for Sony to think about people who don’t have fast internet. “Sony…has an obligation…to say, ‘If we go disc-less, how much of my market is not able to make that jump? Can users in rural Italy get a decent connection to enjoy games?'” Lots of gamers in some areas rely on discs because their internet isn’t good enough.
Other Reasons Why Discs Still Matter
Layden also mentioned other reasons why Sony might keep discs. Athletes who travel a lot sometimes take their PlayStations with them. Also, people on military bases might not have good internet. These are just a couple of examples of people who might have trouble with a digital-only console.
Sony’s Research and the “Tipping Point”
Shawn Layden knows Sony is probably doing market research. He thinks there might be a point where Sony could decide it’s okay to lose some customers. But because Sony sells so many PlayStations around the world, it’s a tough call. “Which part of your market will be damaged by going to disc-less market?” Layden asked. “I’m sure they’re doing their research on it…Sony’s market is globally so huge, I think it would be hard for them to go fully disc-less, even with the next generation.” Basically, Sony has to figure out how many customers they’re willing to lose.
