Farewell to Physical Consoles? The Prediction of the Former PlayStation Chief that Rocks the Industry
The world of video games may be facing a turning point. According to Shawn Layden, former head of Sony PlayStation, the traditional model of physical consoles is losing relevance. In a market dominated by digital services and subscriptions, PlayStation and Xbox could be approaching the end of their era. These statements have sparked a debate about the future of an industry that has so far been based on increasingly advanced hardware generations.
### Are physical consoles on their way out?
Layden argues that consoles no longer offer the generational leaps that used to define them. While technologies like ray tracing and increased teraflops have improved graphics, these advances are not impactful enough for the average user.
According to the report, the market has changed. Instead of buying 20 or 25 games per console, as in the 90s, players now focus on a few popular titles like FIFA or Call of Duty. This behavior makes it difficult for physical consoles to maintain their appeal against digital platforms.
Layden also compares the current situation to the old “war” between formats like VHS and Betamax, where a unified standard was eventually adopted: the DVD. In the case of video games, this standard could be cloud gaming.
### The high costs of AAA games
Another challenge for consoles is the increasing investment required for AAA games. According to Layden, producing a high-profile title can cost between 300 and 400 million dollars, a figure that is often not fully recovered through sales.
This model is not only unsustainable but also transforming the industry towards microtransactions and battle passes. Subscription services like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are reinforcing this trend by offering access to complete catalogs for a monthly fee.
### The impact of players’ new preferences
Players’ preferences are also shaping the future of the industry. Many consumers now opt for free games like Fortnite or Apex Legends, which offer constant updates without an initial cost. This model has changed expectations, as players prioritize online experience and renewable content over owning large libraries of physical games.
Companies have responded to this demand by designing titles that not only aim to be purchased but also to retain users through events, updates, and subscription models. This approach is displacing physical consoles, as it allows playing on almost any device with internet access.
### A future without consoles
Layden, now at Tencent Games, believes that the evolution towards cloud services and universal platforms is inevitable. With increasing development costs and a market that prioritizes flexibility and accessibility, physical consoles could become relics of the past.
The debate continues, but it is clear that the video game industry is constantly changing. The consoles that have dominated for decades could be living their final years, while cloud services position themselves as the next big revolution.
