Last week Sony announced that from January 2028 they will no longer be producing physical discs for PlayStation games. In some ways this announcement isn't a completely unexpected surprise. Videogame consoles have become increasingly digital focused over the past decade. Partly out of players choice (digital can be convenient) and console manufacturers increasingly nudging consumption habits in that direction too.
I had already assumed that the PS6 would not come with a disc drive. This was based on the PS5 Pro not coming with one. But, I also assumed that it too would have an optional disc drive that could be purchased (or ideally use the same one that works with the PS5 Pro and digital models). Now we still have no idea what Sony will actually offer for the PS6. Even though many of us have fairly sizeable digital PlayStation libraries, there are those who have sufficient physical libraries, possibly more so from the PS4 generation.
Yet, announcing this move now, long before any real concrete information about the PS6 has been providing is a choice. This might have been inspired by Rockstar's announcement that at launch (and possibly continuing after too) that "physical" copies of GTA VI will actually just be a code in a box. This practice is not new, and given how large the file size is likely to be it kind of makes sense. But it still stings. It is also an exercise in compromise for Rockstar. Yes, by not having any true physical copies available, it severely limits the risk of leaks. But, it also causes problems for its players. GTA is such a broad franchise, not strictly in demographics, but in that it appeals beyond "typical" gamers.
Imagine someone who might still be playing on a PS4 or Xbox One and only now is going to upgrade to a ninth generation console (be that PS5 or Xbox Series). They might not be clued in to what has been taking place within the videogames medium. They might walk into their local supermarket and pick up a boxed copy of GTA VI expecting to be able to put in the disc and start playing. They might be aware of install time as that has existed for some time on consoles. But that's it. We still don't know how much space GTA VI will take up, but a base PS5 would have enough, but put a CoD on there too and space quickly becomes a premium. The realisation of this could be problematic. Or perhaps I'm overthinking it about this hypothetical player.
This is just one instance of the issues around moving away from physical discs. Preservation is a big one, but I'm going to sidestep that for today as it is a much deeper issue. The other issue I will address today is purchasing power. It's an odd way to describe it, but what I mean is that by abandoning physical discs, Sony becomes a true monopoly when it comes to purchasing games for PlayStation moving forwards. Akin to the situation with Apple and iOS devices.
Sony are already being accused of monopolistic practices when it comes to the PSN store now in the UK. The exception up until now was that physical games (even though they are manufactured by Sony) prevent it from being a total monopoly in practice. As different retailers provide competition which helps bring prices down and keeps the PSN in check. Take this away and in practice there is no alternative. Yes, you can find some digital PlayStation games on other websites, but this is not for most games, like is the case with Steam where I can find legal Steam keys in multiple different stores for less.
With Xbox (sorry XBOX) currently imploding, PlayStation is currently unchallenged in the main console space. Yes, there is Nintendo, but Sony hasn't seen Nintendo as a true threat for a long time. Mostly because Nintendo does its own thing and because it's not going for higher specs so the experience is different enough. Valve is technically a competitor, but because its hardware efforts in the grand scheme of things is actually very low in comparison Sony doesn't have to be too concerned about them yet.
My personal view on this is still formulating. But, I say that not to sit on the side-lines. My main issue is that a dominant PlayStation becomes a complacent PlayStation. Sony becomes arrogant and takes advantage of players. I often criticise Apple for its walled garden, and this is not too dissimilar. Sure, you can leave for somewhere else, but your games (and save files) aren't going with you. Players shouldn't get everything (self-entitlement is also a problem), but Sony can't squeeze as much as they can out of players. If they want the PlayStation to survive they need to be more conciliatory. Xbox might effectively be out of the picture, and PC might become too expensive. But Nintendo is still there. Or [shudder] there is mobile.