Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has described the move away from physical game discs as “depressing, but solvable,” arguing that Sony could potentially license PlayStation disc production to third-party manufacturers.

The future of physical PlayStation games has become a major talking point following Sony’s confirmation that it plans to stop producing physical PlayStation discs beginning in 2028.

Layden, the former chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, believes that doesn’t necessarily have to mean the end of physical PlayStation games.

Shawn Layden Says Third Parties Could Produce PlayStation Discs

Speaking with Game, Layden suggested Sony could license its disc-production process to specialist manufacturers willing to continue producing physical games.

“And unless they decide or determine a way to license that to some of these bespoke disc manufacturers, there’s no way to make it happen.”

His comments suggest the infrastructure could potentially survive without Sony directly manufacturing the discs itself, provided the company creates a licensing system for third-party production.

Layden described the current situation as “depressing, but solvable.”

PlayStation Is Moving Toward a Digital Future

Sony’s decision to end its own physical disc production in 2028 has raised concerns about game preservation, ownership and the long-term availability of physical releases.

PlayStation has confirmed that existing physical games will continue to be supported after 2028, meaning players won’t suddenly lose the ability to use their current disc collections.

However, whether new PlayStation games will continue receiving physical editions through another manufacturing arrangement remains unclear.

For now, Layden’s proposal offers one possible route for keeping physical PlayStation games alive even after Sony stops pressing the discs itself.