PlayStation discs are central to former Sony executive Shawn Layden’s latest criticism of the company’s digital shift. Speaking on “The Expansion Pass” podcast, he argued that removing the physical option risks losing collectors’ trust, according to VGC’s interview report.
What changes for PlayStation discs in 2028
Sony’s July 1 announcement sets January 2028 as the end of disc production for new PlayStation releases. Those games will be sold digitally through PlayStation Store and retailers.
The company says the transition does not affect games released, or scheduled for release, on disc before January 2028. That qualification matters: the announcement does not say existing physical libraries will disappear.
Layden’s concern is ownership and collecting
Layden acknowledged the convenience of downloads but argued that physical buyers include some of gaming’s most devoted collectors. His approximate 80%-digital, 20%-physical split was an estimate during the conversation, rather than verified sales data.
He also questioned what players own when they purchase digital access rather than a copy they can resell. He expects that uncertainty to hurt PlayStation’s reputation.
The former executive, who left Sony in 2019, said he had no access to the financial reasoning behind the decision. Sony says the move reflects changing consumer preferences.
For PlayStation players, the confirmed policy concerns future releases; Layden’s comments address the trust he believes that policy puts at risk.
PlayStation 5 console and controller. Photo: Martin Katler / Unsplash.
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