Even though all-digital platforms are a dominant presence in the handheld market (mostly in the form of iOS and Android devices), there’s a lot of speculation about whether or not the next generation of home consoles can actually scrap physical media altogether.
While nothing is for certain, Sony Computer Entertainment chairman, Kaz Hirai seems to suggest that, while digital distribution is certainly growing in popularity, the PS4 isn’t likely to drop disc-based options altogether.
Hirai spoke out at CES 2012 – asserting that having a dedicated home console (as opposed to something like a download-only PlayStation-ready TV) will continue to be a key element of Sony’s business strategy in the coming years.
“It’s very important that we continue to have a dedicated home-based console [...] Relying solely on networks to deliver content is unfortunately just not possible. It’s still very difficult to have consumers download 50 gigabytes of data or more.”
Obviously Sony would love to move to an all-digital future, where they distribute their software without having to give retailers a cut of the profits (or rely on costly physical hardware components). However, things aren’t that simple. While gamers in large metro areas might roll their eyes at a disc-based next generation console – it’s easy to forget that plenty of video game enthusiasts may not even have access to high-speed Internet. The PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii are available all over the world – in a lot of areas where local couch matches far exceed the number of players engaging in online multiplayer. Developing a console that outright cuts less-connected gamers out of the equation would be disastrous for sales and brand loyalty.
Additionally, unlike Nintendo (the Wii still can’t play DVD movies), Sony has historically made sure that their consoles also offered home entertainment functionality – so that buyers could simplify their home theater set-ups. The original PlayStation included CD functionality, the PlayStation 2 added DVD support, and the PS3 was, when first introduced, one of the most affordable blu-ray packages on the market. In fact, a lot of mid-range PS3 adopters (who purchased the system over the Xbox 360) cited the blu-ray player as a major factor in their decision. As a result, just because blu-ray players are becoming more affordable doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of potential buyers that would prefer for Sony to continue to make dedicated console with physical media included.
We’ll keep you updated as more details about the inevitable PS4 become available – though, despite rumors, don’t expect any PS4 announcements at E3 2011.
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Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for further updates.
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I prefer my physical copies anyway
Also, they are right, only reason I bought a PS3 was for the Bluray player lol and that was when the price came way down.
A lot of people still don’t have internet, or at least a decent speed. Could be the majority.
it would be a neat idea, no more disc drives to worry about dying…but what about my ps3 games? im not rebuying them. on console i prefer physical, on pc i prefer digital.
i know this is off topic but if anyone at game rant reads this please post something about this to warn other gamers there xbox live accounts are at risk http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/10/as-xbox-live-fifa-12-fraud-continues-microsofts-response-becomes-maddening.ars my account was hacked last night and had 30 bucks of points stolen off my account and microsoft wouldnt do anything about it!
Aren’t x-box fans always complaining about how Ps3 got hacked??? Hipocrits……
Don’t freak out man! PSN went down and Credit card data was stolen on a extremely large scale. Where as that is a phishing scam I believe. allot different than having the whole network down for a month.
I don’t think it’s time for completely digital transfers. I think that physical discs (or whatever format) is still the best way to distribute games. And plus, it would really put my idea to waste! If anyone reading this has a lot of video game boxes, watch this video and see if you want to try it too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOb7mMqFauY
http://www.insidegamingdaily.com/2011/10/20/microsoft-responds-to-fifa-12-hacks/
Wow didn’t you say earlier that Sony announced they ARE NOT working on the “PS4″? …seriously..
No I think it said that Sony had no plays to show a ps4 at E3 this year
they never said they were not working on it, they said they are not show casing the system at this years E3. pay attention more and read please before you make your statements.
They have stated they are not making it, because of the long like span of the PS3.
*plans*
This is great. F U apple. I <3 Sony.
I am only saying is because that is one of the many X-Box fans think they are superior over Playstation, that post reminded me of all of that and I think was “important” to bring up. (I say important VERY loosely)
Mr. Hirai makes an excellent point. I expect Disk based gaming to still be in use for decades to come…
kunauero103 is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
EL_DUBALIN is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
S-h-a-m-z- is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
YSOSERIOUS-_-ECK is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller. Just like all the other cheaters in the ECK posse he hides behind multiple PSN accounts. If anyone knows any of his other usernames let us know so we can expose them.
Gold3nSp1r1t is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot, a modified controller and a lag switch. He is also known to cheat on Call Of Duty Black Ops, Uncharted 3 and Modern Warfare 3.
BVB09kev is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
noobkiller11 is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3.
Michigan_Swag616 is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 3.
YohannRedemption is a French cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller with rapid fire. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 3.
finfin-69 is a German cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller with rapid fire. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 3.
kunauero103 is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
EL_DUBALIN is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
S-h-a-m-z- is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
YSOSERIOUS-_-ECK is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller. Just like all the other cheaters in the ECK posse he hides behind multiple PSN accounts. If anyone knows any of his other usernames let us know so we can expose them.
Gold3nSp1r1t is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot, a modified controller and a lag switch. He is also known to cheat on Call Of Duty Black Ops, Uncharted 3 and Modern Warfare 3.
BVB09kev is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller.
noobkiller11 is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3.
Michigan_Swag616 is a cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 3.
YohannRedemption is a French cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller with rapid fire. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 3.
finfin-69 is a German cheater on Red Dead Redemption for the Playstation 3. This punk uses a modded PS3 console with an aimbot and a modified controller with rapid fire. He is also known to cheat on Modern Warfare 3.