The Friday letters page tackles Sony's announcement that PlayStation will go all-digital by 2028, with readers expressing a mix of resignation, anger, and strategic shifts. An anonymous reader notes that Sony, Microsoft, and others have already won the physical vs. digital war, questioning why they would force the issue now. They highlight the loss of ownership, citing Sony's removal of purchased films from PlayStation accounts and the closure of PS3/Vita stores as evidence that digital libraries can be revoked. They plan to move to a PC/Nintendo setup, arguing PlayStation games will be available via emulation if they wait.
Digital-Only Debate: Convenience vs. Control
Luke counters that digital gaming is often cheaper and more convenient, pointing out that many physical discs already require large downloads and post-launch patches. He argues that focusing on digital-only hardware could reduce console complexity and costs, calling the shift an inevitable technological evolution. However, matc7884 disagrees, noting that hard drive prices have risen, not disc drives, and that Sony's monopoly on digital storefronts leads to higher prices compared to PC storefronts like Steam or GOG. He plans to sell his PS5 after playing GTA 6, citing the inability to shop around or trade in games.
Economic and Accessibility Concerns
Tim Thrice cursed observes that while gamers are angry about the triple-whammy of GTA 6 being code-in-a-box, Sony deleting purchased films, and the 2028 digital deadline, they are fickle and will likely still buy the games. LeeDappa reflects on boutique film labels like Arrow Video that still release physical media, but notes that gaming lacks a universal format, making preservation harder. Michael Veal points out that Sony manufactures all PS5 discs, so no third party can step in to continue disc production.
Impact on 4K Blu-ray and Family Gaming
PjDonnelli laments the potential loss of 4K Blu-rays, which offer uncompressed quality compared to digital streams. They predict a longer cross-gen period where PS5 remains relevant, as PC gaming isn't suitable for families due to fiddly settings. Paul C. speculates that Sony's next console could be a hybrid like Nintendo Switch, necessitating digital-only or cartridges.
Kickstarter and Gaming News
Andrew J. highlights Kickstarter's late pledge feature, backing DekaDuck, a hand-drawn 2D platformer. John Atkinson praises the Star Fox 64 remake demo, calling it excellent with the N64 controller. DarKerR notes that digital-only will reduce game purchases as people rely on reselling to fund future games.
Xbox's Industry Contributions
DarKerR also defends Microsoft's legacy, citing Xbox Achievements, online multiplayer standardization, custom PC-like architecture, and backwards compatibility as lasting contributions, despite current hardware struggles.
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