The gaming industry is buzzing with intriguing ideas as former Sony executive Shawn Layden shares his unique vision for the future. Since leaving his role as Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios in 2019, Layden has remained vocal about the gaming world. His latest proposition involves a groundbreaking concept: a unified gaming format akin to the consortiums for VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray, aimed at expanding the console market’s reach.
The State of Console Install Base
In a recent interview, Layden highlighted a stagnation of the total console user base over recent generations, consistently capping at around 250 million units. The only exception was during the Wii era, which momentarily attracted a broader audience due to its unique fitness appeal. Layden advocates for a new gaming consortium that would create a standard gaming format, potentially increasing market reach and mirroring past successes in other media formats. This unified approach could open the doors to new audiences by allowing diverse manufacturers to create compatible gaming devices.
A Unified Gaming Ecosystem
The proposal aligns with a broader industry conversation, echoing Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to broaden gaming’s appeal beyond dedicated consoles. Layden’s concept resonates with the idea of a single gaming platform, which could be naturally based on the PC. With companies like Sony slowly bringing their games to PC and Xbox, the groundwork for such a universal format is being laid. Interestingly, Nintendo remains the sole major player steadfastly committed to its proprietary platform.
Layden’s forward-thinking approach challenges the traditional boundaries of the gaming market, suggesting an industry-wide shift that could redefine how games are manufactured, distributed, and consumed. This vision of a united gaming landscape could usher in unprecedented growth and accessibility, sparking debate among industry experts and gamers alike.