The Sony PlayStation 5 comes in two versions: one with optical disk support and another without it. However, its next version, the PlayStation 5 Pro, does not offer an optical disk option. Microsoft has also launched its latest Xbox consoles as all-digital, leading many to believe that the upcoming PlayStation 6 might follow the same trend. Nonetheless, Shawn Layden, who once served as the chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), has shared his thoughts on this issue. He anticipates that the PlayStation 6 will still include support for optical disks.
Concerns About Going Discless
Layden notes that the PlayStation is popular across many different regions and markets. He argues that eliminating optical disks could negatively impact the console’s appeal in areas with unreliable internet connections. His perspective carries significant weight, especially when he mentions that his former colleagues are rightfully careful about making such impactful decisions. If Sony believes that removing the disk drive could lead to a drop in popularity, it is likely they will reconsider going fully digital.
Limited Information on PlayStation 6
Currently, not much information about the PlayStation 6 is available, which is to be expected. We do know that the AMD APU designed for this new home console is nearly finished. It will feature a CPU that includes AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology and a mid-range UDNA GPU, but further details remain unclear. The PlayStation 6 is anticipated to launch sometime in 2027, which seems reasonable since the PlayStation 5 (priced at $550 on Amazon) was released roughly seven years after the PlayStation 4. Consoles typically have a much longer lifespan compared to PCs, making the development phase extremely important.
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