Sony and MS considered -but rejected- download-only next-gen console

[garyopa]

Yes, don't worry, they've ultimately rejected the download-only plan



According to WSJ, Sony had considered making PS4 a download-only console at one point, but decided to go with the tried and true 'optical disk drive' for next-gen. Microsoft too (for the same reason).

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Sony considered making its PlayStation 3 successor a download-only console but opted instead to include optical drives, "people familiar with the matter" said.

The Japanese electronics maker's flirtation with dropping the optical drive underscores the rising importance of online networks in the videogame industry, which allow console users to download games, television shows and music without the need for disks or cartridges.

Sony is planning a 2013 release for the successor to its PlayStation 3 console, people familiar with the matter said.

Consoles without optical drives would likely add to pressures on brick-and-mortar and online retailers that sell game disks.

Apparently, Sony decided against a download-only model "largely because Internet connections are too inconsistent around the world".

Because game files are large, customers in countries where Internet connections are relatively slow would be hobbled by a requirement to download games, the person said.

Now, seems that Microsoft also opted for an optical drive in the next Xbox console for the same reason.

Microsoft Corp. is planning to include an optical disk drive in the successor to its Xbox 360 console, according to a person familiar with the matter. The software company also had concerns about access to Internet bandwidth, the person said.

A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment.

Well, it looks like it's not happening next-gen... so Next-next-gen, perhaps?

GameStop CEO Paul Raines said his company expects a transition to online-only consoles to happen at some point.

"If we all agree the technology is inevitable—which I think it is because it's like death and taxes—it's still going to take longer to happen than it did for music and movies," Mr. Raines said recently. He noted that many game files are several times larger than a typical high-definition movie, requiring customers to wait a long time before they can play a new game.

Check out the full WSJ article below!

NEWS SOURCE #1: Article #4921778 (via) Wall Street Journal
NEWS SOURCE #2: Report Sony considered then rejected idea of download only PS4 (via) VG247

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

[Cyber Akuma]

I bet Sony and MS are drooling at the idea of a DD-only console so they can force people to only purchase software from their official store and ONLY their official store, eliminate used games, keep prices high, sales rare, remove the ability to borrow or trade games, and be able to pull any game at any time without warning preventing you from buying it forever.

Plus then you tehcnically will not "own" a single game anymore.

But of, of course games will still cost 59.99... or 4800 points.

This is of course ignoring the fact that physical media always has and with current trends will continue to outpace internet speeds. Blu-Ray was made in 2006 and can hit at least 128GB, can you see it really being viable to constnatly download even 25GB games, much less 128GB? Nevermind the stroage for those...

Its not like Steam where there is both competition and the option for a disk for most major games, as well as Valve themselves being very consumer friendly and the PC being an open system preventing crap like on-disk DLC or crazy ripoffs from being viable on the platform. You can't compare Steam to a closed DD platform.

Anyone who actually WANTS consoles to go DD-only needs to have his head examined. You lose absolutely everything, and for what? So you don't have to get your fat butt off the couch for 5 minutes and drive to the store? Its not like consoles can't already have the option of DD, so why the hell would anyone want a DD-only console? There is not one SINGLE benefit WHATSOEVER. What the hell could a DD-only Xbox360 or PS3 do that the current systems already cannot do?

[mrx1]

Yeah,no ****.You also run out space with a hard drive. I was never worried that Sony and MS would go digital only.I worry that they'll implement some sort of DRM to stop me from selling my games.

[billysastard]

Sony had considered making PS4 a download-only console at one point, but decided to go with the tried and true 'optical disk drive' for next-gen

i'd like to hope that decision was made about 24 hours after the psp go launched but being sony i doubt it.

its obvious to me that this idea of DD is born to fail and sony are right about internet services being patchy but its not only on a country to country basis, as part of my standard policy of never buying online pass games new so the greedy scum who make them dont profit from their greed i've been picking up quite a few "online pass" games recently from cex, ebay, play and amazon and i've been astounded at the number that still have unused online crap / online passes.

within the last 2 months i've had the following all with fully valid codes
nfs: shift 2 unleashed
nfs: shift 2 unleashed LE
nfs: hot pursuit
nfs: hot pursuit LE
nfs: the run LE
ssx LE
dragon age 2: signature edition
batman AC CE.
crysis 2 LE

and those are just the ones i can think of off hand i'm sure there were more but the point i'm trying to make is that even in a country with a high rate of internet penetration many games are being sold that the buyers never got the chance to see the complete thing, i should point out that these games were bought entirely at random from individual buyers and not based on them being described as having valid codes, in fact, on ebay its pretty certain that any seller who claims codes "may or may not have been used" is pretty certain to have used them or they would be selling them separately.

[LKJHGFDSA]

Glad that ridiculous rumour is put to rest.

[Mr.Do!]

Like everyone else.. I dont see what the benefit of a DD only console would be.

I like the idea of offering games both ways, for those who want digital copies.. and for those who want disk copies.

I like that all 3 are starting to offer retail games both ways.. I personally like not having to pop a disk in to play, but cant see the benefit of not even having the option there to buy a disk.

I guess it saves money on production and distribution costs... but whatever.. they will probably STILL charge the same price to the consumer anyway..

[sephiro499]

They just float these news stories out there as a psy-op to guage the slave's willingness to submit. The plan, of course, is to outlaw private property in all forms, gaming just being one.

If the 'rumor' is released, and the slaves don't object, then BINGO the next console is download only.

Don't worry they'll eventually make the content downloading p2p, so your xbox can act as Microsoft's server, while you pay for bandwidth and energy. They already do it with the actual game play itself. It's sickening.

[Xenogears V]

Sure, not all people have internet connection, or have a fast connection to download next gen format, for sure will be around 50 Gb.