Arstechnica: Would you consider a disc-free console option?
- Thread starter Zombie James
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Shin Johnpv
Member
Np physical media = no purchase.
Spaced Harrier
Member
Nah, instead I'd like a disc technology fast enough to play games from the disk again.
And a retail space in my country not dominated by hardtop and their insane prices.
It makes more sense to buy from PSN than go physical from Gamestop.
And a retail space in my country not dominated by hardtop and their insane prices.
It makes more sense to buy from PSN than go physical from Gamestop.
I would only considerate it if digital games could be sold at any 3rd party retailer like Steam keys and you could back up all software without ever going online again. One gatekeeper, no chance.
Aren't we overestimating the cost of a disc drive, it must be peanuts to Sony and Microsoft in comparison to offering feature rich hardware that consumers want. Size reduction, savings in materials and shipping, sure but it's such a gamble.
Aren't we overestimating the cost of a disc drive, it must be peanuts to Sony and Microsoft in comparison to offering feature rich hardware that consumers want. Size reduction, savings in materials and shipping, sure but it's such a gamble.
Could you expand on this idea
I'm half looking forward to consoles going digital only, so I can finally stop buying the new ones. 
The article talks about a disc only option though. I'd never consider buying it, but I wouldn't mind it existing I guess? I don't see much point in going out of the way to make both models, but maybe it'd be worth it.
The article talks about a disc only option though. I'd never consider buying it, but I wouldn't mind it existing I guess? I don't see much point in going out of the way to make both models, but maybe it'd be worth it.
InsaneFandom
Member
Personally I wouldn't, but I'm fine with it being an option
I prefer having a physical product I can display & also my internet isn't great, it'd probably take at least few days to download huge games from PSN
I also wouldn't like to be locked in to only being able to buy your games from one place
I prefer having a physical product I can display & also my internet isn't great, it'd probably take at least few days to download huge games from PSN
I also wouldn't like to be locked in to only being able to buy your games from one place
sixteen-bit
Member
Disc free is not for me.
RumblingRosco
Member
When the XBO was announced I was adamantly against a disc-free option. Since then, I've done away with all my physical music, movies, and all of my games (save for a few I still haven't gotten around to selling). I'm all digital going forward, so sure, a disc-free console would be great.
sleepwalkcapsules
Member
I'd probably not buy a console at all.
What draws me in console gaming is being able to borrow games from friends. Without that I think I'll just play on the PC.
What draws me in console gaming is being able to borrow games from friends. Without that I think I'll just play on the PC.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Not for a console.
I only accept it for PC because
1.) it's an open market with multiple digital storefronts.
2.) the prices are almost always less than their console counterparts
3.) PC games live fucking forever. I'll be able to play my PC version of Nier 15 years from now on whatever rig I have then, with whatever controller inputs are popular...without having to rebuy it or keep ancient hardware to do so. That is value worth sacrificing a little for.
With consoles, generations exist without the promise guaranteed backwards compat or existing controllers/input devices continuing to work. Whether a copy of a game will be able to be played on equipment you own 10 years from now is anyone's guess, and maintaining old hardware can be unrealistic for many. To me, that makes being able to sell off my copies of games essential for consoles.
No, I do not believe I will ever accept digital only on a closed, generational console platform.
I only accept it for PC because
1.) it's an open market with multiple digital storefronts.
2.) the prices are almost always less than their console counterparts
3.) PC games live fucking forever. I'll be able to play my PC version of Nier 15 years from now on whatever rig I have then, with whatever controller inputs are popular...without having to rebuy it or keep ancient hardware to do so. That is value worth sacrificing a little for.
With consoles, generations exist without the promise guaranteed backwards compat or existing controllers/input devices continuing to work. Whether a copy of a game will be able to be played on equipment you own 10 years from now is anyone's guess, and maintaining old hardware can be unrealistic for many. To me, that makes being able to sell off my copies of games essential for consoles.
No, I do not believe I will ever accept digital only on a closed, generational console platform.
EatinOlives
Member
I don't have the bandwidth or lack of data cap to make that feasible, so no.
I mean, I already have the option to go completely digital with my purchases and actively choose not to go that route.
I mean, I already have the option to go completely digital with my purchases and actively choose not to go that route.
Birgitte2004
Member
I am still annoyed I was basically forced to go digital on PC. After retail started being nothing but a box around an online code, I gave up on buying retail.
Right, so stick with Switch, that's your message if you don't like it?
Enter The 36 Chambers
Member
I absolutely would.
Shit I still wish Ms went through with the original Xbox One.
I don't want discs, hideous game cases cluttering my house.
I'm all digital this gen and would absolutely buy a driveless console.
Shit I still wish Ms went through with the original Xbox One.
I don't want discs, hideous game cases cluttering my house.
I'm all digital this gen and would absolutely buy a driveless console.
SenkiDala
Member
Honeslty, what bothers me with "all digital" is the fact that you can't sell/exchange/lend your games, and also they are always WAY more expensive than the disc version... NieR Automata is 49 on disc and 69 digital, 54 for Mass Effect Andromeda and 69 for digital... etc.
If someday digital is cheaper, or at the same price, and there's like a "market" to exchange our games or sell them, yes I'd go all digital right away.
If someday digital is cheaper, or at the same price, and there's like a "market" to exchange our games or sell them, yes I'd go all digital right away.
Dr. Black Jack
Member
Never.
See Also: PSPgo shitting the bed.
See Also: PSPgo shitting the bed.
Alongside the same thing with a drive? No thanks. Seems like a market/consumer confusion nightmare. Do one or the other, not both.
Oh yeah, cases all over the place. The exaggerations never cease to amuse.
We're just not there yet as a market. Personally I'd sooner welcome a transition to carts than welcome a console with no physical media to run games.
To be fair, many go digital for portable gaming now. This applies to many of us Vita owners. Apart of why PSP GO did so poorly because Sony introduced an updated PSP with no option to play physical media. They expected us to take that lying down.
To be fair, many go digital for portable gaming now. This applies to many of us Vita owners. Apart of why PSP GO did so poorly because Sony introduced an updated PSP with no option to play physical media. They expected us to take that lying down.
Pretty much this.
That's what happens when you have closed-platforms, where the user has little to no power.
disappeared
Banned
Not until my ISP can do better than 5-10mbps. I'm not waiting two to three days to download a game when I can install it in 10 minutes from disc.
As an option sure, but good luck having retail stores sell it. In terms of production cost removing the drive is not going to save that much money per unit, so selling it for $50 cheaper would eat into profits. yeah some of that would be recouped with digital only purchases but still
I would, most definitely. The PS4 and Pro might as well not even have a disc drive, I have tons of games and have NEVER even out a disc in either console.
Thing is, I'm lucky enough to have decent internet connection and no cap, don't resell games, and don't preorder unless I'm willing to be stuck with a $60 turd if a game turns out shit.
Digital-only is great for me, but it has a long way to go before it works for everyone, or even a majority. Honestly, the first step is to knock our ISPs into line and get better coverage without caps. After that, digital refunds and gifting.
Thing is, I'm lucky enough to have decent internet connection and no cap, don't resell games, and don't preorder unless I'm willing to be stuck with a $60 turd if a game turns out shit.
Digital-only is great for me, but it has a long way to go before it works for everyone, or even a majority. Honestly, the first step is to knock our ISPs into line and get better coverage without caps. After that, digital refunds and gifting.