Shawn Layden, the former president of PlayStation, has voiced concerns about Sony's plan to stop selling physical discs for games by 2028. During an interview on the podcast The Expansion Pass, Layden acknowledged the benefits of digital downloads, such as convenience and instant access. However, he warned that removing physical discs entirely could be a misstep, as a notable portion of gamers—around 20%—still prefer or rely on physical copies for reasons like collecting, backup, or resale. Layden highlighted the issue of digital ownership, pointing out that players may feel uncertain about whether they truly own a game if they cannot physically sell or archive it. He referenced platforms like GOG, a digital store for PC games, which allows users to download titles without restrictive digital rights management (DRM), letting them store games directly on their computers. PlayStation, however, does not currently provide a similar option, which Layden views as a key concern for gamers. The move to eliminate physical discs has sparked worries among some gamers about the potential erosion of ownership rights for digital games. This is reminiscent of past controversies, such as when streaming services removed movies from their platforms, causing frustration among users who felt they had lost access to content they had paid for. Layden believes such issues could harm Sony's brand reputation and trust with its audience. In addition to the disc phase-out, Sony has recently filed two patents. One involves using artificial intelligence to monitor networks, detect software bugs, generate patches, and automatically update PS5 consoles. The other patent explores turning the DualSense controller into a device that can process contactless payments. These developments are part of a broader conversation about the future of physical media in the gaming industry and how companies like Sony are adapting to new technological and consumer trends.