Former PlayStation boss warns Sony’s 2028 disc shutdown could hurt: “That’s a super important 20%” of physical game collectors

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Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden warned that Sony’s reported January 2028 disc-production shutdown could damage its brand by alienating loyal physical-game collectors. Former PlayStation boss warns Sony’s 2028 disc shutdown could hurt: “That’s a super important 20%” of physical game collectors ⓘ r/Games Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden warned that Sony’s reported January 2028 disc-production shutdown could damage its brand by alienating loyal physical-game collectors. Sony is a video game and electronics company based in Minato.

Rahim Amir Noorali , Published 10/11/2026 🇩🇪 Game Releases Gaming Console Shawn Layden, former Chief of PlayStation Worldwide Studios, recently spoke on The Expansion Pass podcast and said ending disc production by January 2028 will turn buying a game into buying access, while Sony’s own metrics show 82% of full-game units are already digital downloads. While acknowledging the convenience of digital downloads, which account for 82% of full-game unit sales, he argued that collectors remain an important audience despite physical software’s small revenue share. Layden further emphasized the pros of owning digital games, which offer some convenience, but ultimately he sides with physical media.