EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Former Sony Veteran On Digital vs. Disc Gaming and PlayStation Stars Failure
Sony has announced it will cease producing physical discs for new PlayStation games after January 2028, marking a significant industry shift that has sparked widespread debate about the future of gaming distribution.
To provide context on this transition, the publication interviewed Gordon Thornton, a veteran of Sony Interactive Entertainment who spent nearly 18 years with the company before departing in 2022. Thornton served as Senior Vice President overseeing PlayStation’s global direct-to-consumer business, where he was instrumental in scaling the PlayStation Store from its inception into a multi-billion-dollar digital distribution platform.
Tornton’s perspective is particularly noteworthy given his extensive experience building Sony’s digital infrastructure. The interview explores his insights on the digital gaming landscape, the rationale behind the transition, and implications for both players and developers. While digital distribution offers clear business advantages—including reduced manufacturing and distribution costs, faster updates, and direct customer relationships—the shift raises significant concerns about consumer accessibility, internet infrastructure dependencies, and the potential erosion of game preservation through physical media. The January 2028 deadline represents the culmination of a gradual industry transition toward digital-only distribution that has been accelerating for over a decade.