Sony’s plan to stop producing physical discs for new games in 2028 is facing renewed criticism from Shawn Layden, the former president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America. Layden described the decision as a major reputational setback and questioned what customers are buying when access to a digital game can be revoked.
Layden challenges Sony’s ownership message
Speaking on The Expansion Pass podcast, Layden said Sony’s shift away from discs had been shaped by financial projections rather than by the preferences of its most committed customers. He called it a “heavily spreadsheeted decision” and argued that the company had taken a “significant brand hit.”
Sony has said it will stop producing physical discs for new console games from 2028. The company’s position is that downloading a game does not necessarily mean owning it in the traditional sense. That distinction has become central to the controversy because a physical copy can generally be collected, resold or displayed, while a digital purchase is governed by the terms attached to the platform account and software license.
Layden said the change alters the basic question facing players. Instead of asking whether they own a game, consumers may have to ask whether they merely have access to a digital asset. In his view, the ability to sell an item is closely connected to the idea of ownership. If the customer cannot sell the game, he asked, “what are you buying?”
Layden led Sony Interactive Entertainment America from 2014 to 2018. His comments therefore come from a former senior PlayStation executive, although they do not represent Sony’s current position.
Dispute follows Sony’s court argument
The debate over digital ownership intensified after Sony argued in a California court that no reasonable consumer believes they own digital games purchased through the PlayStation Store, according to court filings reviewed by Game File. The argument was made in response to a proposed class-action lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that the store’s purchase buttons suggest customers are buying ownership rather than a revocable license. Sony has responded that its PlayStation Terms of Service and Software Product License Agreement make clear that users do not own the software product itself, and that customers should understand this arrangement.
That legal position has added context to the planned end of new physical discs. For critics, the issue is not simply whether downloading is more convenient than buying a disc. It is whether a purchase that provides access under platform rules offers the same control and permanence as a physical copy.
Sony’s plan has already drawn opposition from physical-gaming supporters. A group advocating for physical games has called for an organized boycott, while a “Don’t Kill the Disc” petition has collected more than 385,000 signatures. Despite the backlash, Sony has given no indication that it intends to reverse the decision.
Why collectors remain important to the debate
Layden acknowledged that physical buyers may now account for only about 20% of gamers because digital downloads are easier. But he said this smaller segment is often among PlayStation’s most loyal customers.
He described these players as collectors who may buy two copies of a game—one to play and another to keep sealed. That comparison reflects the wider appeal of physical media: the product is not only a way to access software but also something that can be accumulated, displayed and potentially resold.
The disagreement illustrates a tension in the games industry. Digital distribution can make purchasing and downloading software more straightforward, while physical products offer a clearer sense of possession. Sony’s 2028 plan has brought that distinction into sharper focus for players concerned about how long their access will last and what rights come with a digital purchase.
Market picture
Moneyiar market data at the stated times show mixed performance among the listed digital assets:
- eCash (XEC) was priced at $0.00000724, down 5.21% over 24 hours and 10.19% over seven days, as of October 8, 2026, at 21:49 +03:30.
- Four (FORM) stood at $0.2643044733, up 0.65% over 24 hours but down 7.38% over seven days, at the same time.
- PlaysOut (PLAY) was priced at $0.0349806107, up 12.7% over 24 hours and 28.72% over seven days, based on Moneyiar data from September 25, 2026, at 06:29 +03:30.
- Propy (PRO) stood at $0.3366552189, down 3.71% over 24 hours and 6.69% over seven days, as of October 8, 2026, at 18:34 +03:30.
The controversy has also attracted attention from crypto advocates, who have promoted non-fungible tokens as a possible way to record game ownership. However, NFTs commonly still depend on public metadata and centrally hosted files. As a result, holding an NFT may not by itself guarantee uninterrupted access to the game or its associated content, because users can remain dependent on third parties and their infrastructure.
