Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios CEO Shawn Layden believes Sony cannot afford to release a completely disc-less PlayStation 6. While acknowledging Xbox's success with digital-only consoles, Layden highlights Sony's significantly larger global market share. He argues that removing physical games would alienate a substantial portion of their user base, particularly in regions with less reliable internet infrastructure. Layden cites examples like rural Italy and areas with limited connectivity, such as military bases or locations frequented by traveling athletes, where offline or physical game access remains crucial. He suggests Sony is likely assessing the potential impact on its market share before making a decision, acknowledging a point where sacrificing a portion of the market might be deemed acceptable. However, given Sony's vast global reach, a fully disc-less console remains a considerable challenge, even for the next generation.

This debate has been ongoing since the PlayStation 4 era, intensified by Xbox's release of digital-only consoles. Both companies offer digital-only versions of their current consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S), but Sony has resisted a complete shift to digital. Even Sony's digital-only consoles, including the PlayStation 5 Pro, offer the option of adding a disc drive. This contrasts with Xbox's commitment to services like Game Pass, a strategy mirrored by Sony's PlayStation Plus Games Catalog, fueling speculation about the future of disc-based games.

Physical media sales continue to decline, with major publishers increasingly releasing games requiring internet connections even for disc versions. Examples include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows (requiring online installation) and EA's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (similarly requiring an internet connection). This trend essentially transforms what were once separate install and play discs into downloadable content, further diminishing the significance of physical discs.