Sony's PlayStation isn't ready to fully abandon physical media just yet for the upcoming PS6 console even though digital-only gaming is currently the trend in the gaming industry.
On the other hand, Xbox seems to be taking a fully digital ecosystem route with its digital-only consoles and subscription services such as Game Pass. PlayStation, however, has continued to hold its ground by still allowing game discs.
Sony will not likely ditch the discs altogether anytime soon as it leads with a large chunk of global market share, as former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden noted in a recent interview.
Sony's Global Presence: The Reason Going Fully Disc-less Will Not Be So Easy
In an interview with Kiwi Talkz, Layden said that Sony's presence worldwide is a critical reason why they cannot opt to go fully disc-less. With PlayStation being the dominant gaming platform in around 170 countries, removing physical and offline game options could alienate a large segment of its user base.
"I don't think Sony can get away with it now," Layden said, pointing out that while Xbox has found success with its digital-only strategy, its success is primarily concentrated in English-speaking countries like the US, Canada, and the UK.
For the video game giant, whose subscribers cut across regions where easy, reliable internet access may not reach, a disc-less PlayStation will pose enormous problems to users in rural areas, military bases, or remote regions.
Layden observed that these players can easily have problems downloading their big game files or accessing digital content.
Physical media is, therefore, a necessity in such regions, meaning the availability of physical games is still part of gaming culture, especially for disc and cartridge collectors.
The Dilemma to Hedge On-The-Ground Demands of the Market
Sony has a responsibility to consider how a shift to all-digital content would impact specific market segments. In fact, athletes or individuals stationed in military bases frequently rely on physical games in an attempt to avoid issues with spotty internet connections.
While the company would already be carrying out research as to which market may be affected should it shift to digital games, Layden believes the company will still need to find their balance regarding what to accept or reject to carry out the whole digital action.
As much as the gaming industry is pushing toward a digital future, the reality is that many players are still reliant on physical games to enjoy their gaming experience.
The Trend Toward Disc-Less Consoles: Sony's Approach with the PS5
The discussion regarding disc-less systems started with the PlayStation 4 and has not abated since. Sony and Microsoft have now released digital-only versions of their latest consoles—the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S—and provide players with a cheaper, disc-less option.
Sony has remained more conservative in terms of releasing a digital-only version of its gaming. Even though PlayStation has offered a digital version of the PS5, its company made arrangements for players who want to play their physical discs by allowing them to upgrade the console with a separate disc drive.
This has enabled Sony to reach out to a more extensive market share by striking the balance between gamers who are attracted to physical media and those that lean more toward digital gaming. The PlayStation 5 Pro, though pricey at $700, still gives users the choice to use physical discs if they prefer to do so, thus the gradual shift toward a completely digital platform.
The Decline of Physical Media: Are Disc-Based Games on Their Way Out?
With digital gaming on a rather steep rise, there has been a definite slide in the sales of physical media. These days, games are being made with so many restrictions that even with a disc purchase, no internet connection is available to play them.
IGN noted that Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed Shadows" needs internet for installation. EA's "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor" also requires extra downloads to make the game fully playable.
The trend of relying on downloadable content and patches for disc-based games has made people question whether physical discs have a future in the gaming industry.
Despite these developments, the reality is that PlayStation is not rushing to remove physical media completely. While Xbox has gone all in with its Game Pass model and a disc-less future, Sony has opted to move at a more measured pace, offering players a mix of physical and digital content.
The fact that a new PS5 production line for physical discs went online on Manaus hints that physical games won't be dead anytime soon.
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