Ex-Sony exec talks death of physical discs: Frustrating but there are solutions

Abstract:

Recently, former SIE Global Studios President Shawn Layden was interviewed and expressed his views on PlayStation’s upcoming future without physical discs. He found the situation frustrating but not unsolvable.

Some media previously misinterpreted news from the Austrian factory, saying that Sony's optical disc production would plummet to 10% of the original level. Sony DADC officially later clarified that the actual overall production dropped by 10%, not that the production capacity was reduced to 10% of the original. After 2028, old game discs released before January 2028 will still support reprinting and restocking, but physical discs will no longer be pressed for new games.

Currently, the PlayStation disc pressing process is entirely in Sony's own hands. Once Sony officially stops production, third-party manufacturers will not have the authority to produce PS game discs on their own. Leyden proposed a solution: Sony could follow Microsoft's model and authorize disc production to third-party compliance disc pressing factories to continue the possibility of physical editions. Microsoft currently authorizes "authorized copy manufacturers" to have external factories produce Xbox physical discs.

Leyden emphasized that physical media has irreplaceable value for core players, and collection itself is part of the game cultural experience. He said: "The market has proven with actual purchasing behavior that there are still players willing to buy the physical version. Now it's just that Sony doesn't want to continue production."

The co-CEO of CDPR also previously stated that even if Sony no longer provides disc pressing channels, "The Witcher 4" still plans to release a physical version, but whether this idea can be implemented depends on whether it can obtain PS disc production authorization. Leyden also admitted that this is ultimately a business decision at the enterprise level. If Sony does not open up licensing, third-party manufacturers will not be able to independently launch PS game physical discs.