I made a new blog post giving my thoughts on PlayStation not making disks anymore, and the arguments around it.
I personally don’t think most people care about physically owning media (and some people even suggested PC should start going back to physical). It’s more about digital ownership rights.
Definitely a good breakdown of the major points that most are overlooking with this situation. It would be a much easier pill to swallow if these platforms were taking an approach similar to GOG or allowed for multiple storefronts on their platforms (extremely unlikely to happen).
For game consoles (focusing primarily on PlayStation and Xbox here), the following (IMHO) protections should be in place for an all digital platform that respects the customer:
• A digital purchase is tied to your account. If a game can no longer be sold on the platform, you can still download it later on if needed because you already purchased it.
• In the event that the servers are to be shut down: the downloads for active game listings and previous delisted titles that an account has access to; there will be a grace period of “X” days to allow users to buy whatever game/DLC they wish and will have the option to back up the installer for said software. This can then be moved to a compatible storage device for archiving purposes. (The cherry on top would be the ability to migrate the data to a computer so it can be archived however desired).
• A digital purchase can be lent to friends and family for “X” amount of days. During this time, the game will not be accessible to play on the host account, but can be recalled if desired. Otherwise, once the time period has passed, it will return automatically. The “lent” game will then disappear from the other players library, but if interested would have the option to visit the store page for purchase.
• Finally a digital “resale shop” where players could list their digital games/DLC. This would allow players to sell off their unwanted games and could potentially give other players the opportunity to purchase a game that may be delisted. Currency paid would likely be equivalent to store credit, but could be used for future purchases.
Sure, a lot of it is very unlikely to happen and is definitely wishful thinking, but that’s the only way I would move forward with a digital only console market. Otherwise, I would go 100% PC. Time will tell how this goes.
”I personally don’t think people care about owning physical media.”
I know I’m in what feels like a growing minority, but I will always pick up a physical copy if given a chance. I have a solid games library and I intend on playing every title I own. That said, I know eventually things will be digital only. Until that happens, I’ll stick with my Switch/2 for physical releases and multi platform releases I’ll grab on PC if it makes more sense to do so.
One last thought on this that I’ve had as someone who prefers to collect games physically. For Nintendo, I have genuinely despised their game key card approach. From a preservationists perspective, it’s a waste of money. However, getting a code in a box is a massive joke. Sony actually succeeded in making the concept of a GCK looking like a solid alternative. I really don’t know how to feel about that lol.
TL;DR - good article that brings up a lot of points others are overlooking. I personally will still get physical releases until they aren’t available anymore, then go fully digital on PC.
There will definitely be a niche market for physical games, but yeah I was thinking about the average person and their experience. Especially since PC has shifted very early, I think most people would prefer to download a game in half an hour than having to go to a store and buy a physical disk and have to constantly put it in/take it out every time you want to play something else.
For Nintendo, I have genuinely despised their game key card approach. From a preservationists perspective, it’s a waste of money. However, getting a code in a box is a massive joke. Sony actually succeeded in making the concept of a GCK looking like a solid alternative. I really don’t know how to feel about that lol.
That’s funny, I had the same exact thought when writing this. The game key card thing sounds so stupid that my first thought was “damn, I hope they don’t get away with this”. My second thought was “wait, this might be the better option on consoles now. Damn.”
Agreed on both points. I have a brother that’s on the opposite end of the debate that went full digital a while ago. Travel and a lack of space are definitely his top reasons for the shift. Which I absolutely get. That and he has a dog who thinks it’s play time the second he gets off the couch lol.
For GKC I still will not support buying them new, however, with this change I may start waiting to buy them second hand while available for those games I really want to play but won’t get a true physical copy. It will have to be console exclusive though. As for keeping them long term, probably not. I’ll go with GOG or Steam otherwise.
The ability to trade is lost on pretty much every platform including PC. In some ways it’s been lost on PC for the longest time, because PC has had CD key nonsense since at least the 90s while consoles operated on physical media for much longer.
The lack of this ability is, of course, compensated for by piracy.
