Shawn Layden Calls Sony's 2028 Disc Ban a Brand Mistake

October 7, 2026 - 04:14

Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has criticized Sony's decision to end disc production for its consoles by 2028, describing the move as a significant blow to the brand. In his view, the company is dismissing a loyal group of players who still prefer physical media, and that choice could carry lasting consequences.

Layden pointed out that physical game buyers are not a small niche. They include collectors, preservationists, and people who simply want to own what they pay for. By phasing out discs, Sony risks alienating these customers and pushing them toward other platforms or digital storefronts that offer better terms.

The ownership question sits at the heart of the debate. When a game exists only as a digital license, players cannot resell it, lend it, or keep it once a storefront shuts down. Layden warned that this shift raises real concerns about what it means to own a game at all.

He also noted that the transition may not be as smooth as Sony hopes. Retailers, international markets with weaker internet infrastructure, and regions where physical copies remain dominant could all feel the impact. For Layden, the decision looks less like a bold step forward and more like a gamble that ignores a substantial part of the audience that helped build PlayStation into what it is today.