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[CamHostage]

As has been pointed out many times, the OP is essentially recommending Nintendo's Game-Key Cards.

But also, it seems like people haven't actually been to retailers because they already have the means to stay in the business of selling games in some kind of physical form: gift cards. It's a cruddy "format" because sellers have so far not managed prices on the gift cards at all to promote sales or offer other means of moving units (also I'm not sure what % share stores get on selling these versus discs/Game-Key Cards,) plus of course for consumers the gift card is just a digital download code, with all the hassles and frustrations of getting that into your account and downloading the game (and there's no resell value.) But it's what a percentage of game store shelves already is.

 

[marquimvfs]

It's better to go all digital and make some sort of game transfer between accounts than this bullshit. Better yet is to continue all physical.

 

[marquimvfs]

also I'm not sure what % share stores get on selling these versus discs/Game-Key Cards

The major distributor that activate the cards pay the retailers 1,00 R$ (less than 0,20 US $) to every card sold here in Brazil. No one other than some major retailers (that sell a ton and maybe can do better deals) touch that shit.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

It's better to go all digital and make some sort of game transfer between accounts than this bullshit. Better yet is to continue all physical.

Digital-only will need to have better offline features or people will lose it.

Take my Series X, for instance, it wasn't my "home Xbox" so I couldn't play a damn single digital game when my net flipped out the past two weekends. My Switch wouldn't play a digital game when I was away from any wireless network. That shit is just unacceptable for anyone in anytime.

 

[SRTtoZ]

So obsolete that they were impossible to find for 3+ months after the PS5 Pro came out and were extra pricey on eBay. Just sayin

 

[StereoVsn]

As has been pointed out many times, the OP is essentially recommending Nintendo's Game-Key Cards.

But also, it seems like people haven't actually been to retailers because they already have the means to stay in the business of selling games in some kind of physical form: gift cards. It's a cruddy "format" because sellers have so far not managed prices on the gift cards at all to promote sales or offer other means of moving units (also I'm not sure what % share stores get on selling these versus discs/Game-Key Cards,) plus of course for consumers the gift card is just a digital download code, with all the hassles and frustrations of getting that into your account and downloading the game (and there's no resell value.) But it's what a percentage of game store shelves already is.

I don't think Sony allows this unlike Nintendo or Xbox.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

The solution? Cartridge-style game key cards
Not for storing the entire game, but simply as keys to unlock it.

 

[SuperC]

Am I dreaming or is OP just trying to sell Nintendo's latest "invention" as his own idea? What is happening here? Is it sarcasm? I don't get it.

It's my own idea before the Switch 2 became a thing, I wrote about it in an Arabic forum one year ago

 

[Dr.Morris79]

It's my own idea before the Switch 2 became a thing, I wrote about it in an Arabic forum one year ago

And it's still a crap one.

 

[yurinka]

This idea came to me while thinking about the hardware costs of the next consoles and how companies could reduce those costs without going only digital just to increase profit.

As we all know, discs don't really serve much of a purpose anymore other than acting as a key to launch the game. The actual game data is installed on the hard drive or SSD, and sometimes the Blu-ray disc contains only a few megabytes while the rest has to be downloaded online.

Next-gen consoles should drop disc drives entirely and offer them as an optional accessory for players who own older physical discs. That leads to a problem though—there's still demand for physical media, and major retailers won't be happy selling consoles that cut them out of the game sales market

The solution? Cartridge-style game key cards
Not for storing the entire game, but simply as keys to unlock it. Cartridge readers are cheap, compact, and adding one to a console wouldn't increase costs much. And since these cartridges only act as keys, they wouldn't need to be large or expensive.

This way, retailers still have physical games to sell, the physical market remains alive, and consoles are freed from the burden of disc drives. Plus, cartridges are smaller, more practical, and more durable than discs, they could essentially last forever

Cartridges are too slow compared to SSDs and too expensive compared to blurays.

If you want a cheaper equivalent physical option that doesn't store the game in physical format and have to completely download it, there's the option of putting key code text inside an empty box, which is the same than a keycard but cheaper. Something some games did in the past, before the Switch 2.

 

[SuperC]

Cartridges are too slow compared to SSDs and too expensive compared to blurays.

If you want a cheaper equivalent physical option that doesn't store the game in physical format and have to completely download it, there's the option of putting key code text inside an empty box, which is the same than a keycard but cheaper. Something some games did in the past, before the Switch 2.

Can you use the code and then sell it?

 

[yurinka]

Can you use the code and then sell it?

No

 

[CamHostage]

If retail really was vital to game producers, there is something they could try (or rather expand upon) : physical items as key cards.

Basically the Amiibo model, but instead of a few bits of data for unlockables, the collectible item would also be the game.

Collectible game-toys would contain either the keycard data or the full game code (depending on the game and the costs of storage) held inside via an onboard data card, which would then connect with the device through USB or near-field transfer. Players probably wouldn't run the game off of it; data instead would be offloaded onto the drive, and you would need to reactivate your game every month or so with a quick re-synch. (This would be for security from people sharing their game-toy collectible with friends, but it would also allow portables/laptops to use these collectibles, and it would allow resell of the collectible with the game as soon as the original owner disconnected/expired their access.) Redemption The collectible would be activated at the register for security (so that thieves couldn't just bring their Switch into the store and tag games onto their devices,) and redemption/ownership would still generally be managed at the level of the online UserID of the owner. It would act as a hybrid digital/physical, sort of like Game-Key cards, but it'd be more fun and attractive to own.

(Instead of Amiibo being for the game,
Amiibo has the game in it.)

These would add costs to game units and complications to selling them. (Also indies would have a challenge producing toys too, and some games would be more applicable to toys than others so a few genres might struggle in this market.) On the upside though, being physical collectibles, game-toy collectibles would attract buyers looking for something to own and put on shelves, they would conceivably be resellable, they would be an easy item to put on a kid's wishlish for Grandma to find, and they could be any shape imaginable so long as the base is compatible with the reader. (Hell, they could sell a "Game Box" collectible which is just a DVD jewelcase with a datacard instead of a disc... hopefully the console holder would mandate the generic be a little more than that though.) It would expand upon the Special Edition market of having items to own tied into a game launch, but it would cover more bases so that there's not just $100+ items to buy if you like a game, but it would also expand the hardcore collector market with rare versions of items available without overcomplicating the actual game market (although exclusive DLC would probably come into play as well.)

 

[reinking]

I want floppy disks again. They can fit a text file with the cdkey and some additional Q&A.

Let's bring back shareware.

 

[CamHostage]

I don't think Sony allows this unlike Nintendo or Xbox.

Hmm, not sure, you may be right?

Oddly, I have seen redemption codes for PlayStation games on the Steam patform. (There's often GoW and Spider-Man gift cards next to the Roblox Bucks and other PC/mobile cards.) However. come to think of it, I'm not sure I have seen like GT7 the way I've seen Super Mario Wonder or Forza Motorsport in the individual gift card sections on the pegs. I'll look out for that next time I'm shopping.

 

[SuperC]

A 700MB CD would be more than enough and much cheaper.

The idea is to get rid of the crappy optical drive, Sony will have a portable PS5 next gen so it's either this or full digital

 

[Sintoid]

I want floppy disks again. They can fit a text file with the cdkey and some additional Q&A.

I want audiotapes again!

 

[SuperC]

So obsolete that they were impossible to find for 3+ months after the PS5 Pro came out and were extra pricey on eBay. Just sayin

You do realize that if you install a disc on the PS5 it will ignore the disc and download the game from the internet?
You can't get more obsolete than that

 

[TGO]

 

[Rocco Schiavone]

You do realize that if you install a disc on the PS5 it will ignore the disc and download the game from the internet?

 

[SScorpio]

You do realize that if you install a disc on the PS5 it will ignore the disc and download the game from the internet?
You can't get more obsolete than that

That's how it work on my XSX, but on the PS5 it downloads the patch, and then sits around waiting for it to finish copying off the disk. I wish it could speed this up as I normally hit download speeds that are twice that of the disk reads.

 

[Quezacolt]

Your idea is awful, just like game key cards. Why would i buy that crap if the game isnt actually there?

 

[Quezacolt]

You do realize that if you install a disc on the PS5 it will ignore the disc and download the game from the internet?
You can't get more obsolete than that

This is so wrong. Please, if you don't know what you're talking about, don't spread lies.

Most ps5 games have the full data on the disc. The disc install the data files to the console. Remember how pc games used to do it? It's the same thing.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

This is so wrong. Please, if you don't know what you're talking about, don't spread lies.

Most ps5 games have the full data on the disc. The disc install the data files to the console. Remember how pc games used to do it? It's the same thing.

 

[ZoukGalaxy]

We really need a pile of poo emote

Key cards are just like digital: YOU OWN NOTHING
Key cards are actually worst: you need a physical item + an online account and they will expire whenever the manufacturer decides to cut off old servers making game preservation a chore.

And this until some international laws regulate appear and solve digital ownership of everything once for all.

Optical drives stopped to upgrade their tech and it's now an old tech, for sure, but they are absolutely adequate and perfectly fitted for cold storage, since all games are now installed, and true ownership.

 

[rodrigolfp]

The idea is to get rid of the crappy optical drive, Sony will have a portable PS5 next gen so it's either this or full digital

No problem having a mini disk like the PSP if it's only for install/check the game "license".

 

[ReBurn]

If only there were a company willing to act on this idea.

 

[Rocco Schiavone]

Source: doesitplay.org

Now stfu.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Source: doesitplay.org

Now stfu.

You "stfu" fool. Almost all games have updates that are part of the game, and they aren't on the disc.

 

[Rocco Schiavone]

You "stfu" fool. Almost all games have updates that are part of the game, and they aren't on the disc.

The site confirms most games are completely fine without downloads. Or are you too stupid to read statistics??

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

The site confirms most games are completely without downloads. Are you dumb or something??

 

[intheinbetween]

Man, just go all-digital. That game key card will still always require to access the data from the publisher's servers, so what's the point in packaging the license key in a plastic box?

I would rather publishers moving forward all-digital enabling pro-consumer features such as transferring, selling and sharing capabilities of purchased titles.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Man, just go all-digital. That game key card will still always require to access the data from the publisher's servers, so what's the point in packaging the license key in a plastic box?

I would rather publishers moving forward all-digital enabling pro-consumer features such as transferring, selling and sharing capabilities of purchased titles.

Let me play offline without jumping through hoops and I just might go all-digital.

 

[Pasta la Vista]

Blocked

 

[asdasdasdbb]

Man, just go all-digital. That game key card will still always require to access the data from the publisher's servers, so what's the point in packaging the license key in a plastic box?

Retailers. That's the real reason why physical is still sticking around, Nintendo/Sony don't want to drop them just yet.

 

[asdasdasdbb]

The idea is to get rid of the crappy optical drive, Sony will have a portable PS5 next gen so it's either this or full digital

I would expect the portable to be digital only. The regular console would have an optional disc drive though.

 

[Signalis]

This idea came to me while thinking about the hardware costs of the next consoles and how companies could reduce those costs without going only digital just to increase profit.

As we all know, discs don't really serve much of a purpose anymore other than acting as a key to launch the game. The actual game data is installed on the hard drive or SSD, and sometimes the Blu-ray disc contains only a few megabytes while the rest has to be downloaded online.

Next-gen consoles should drop disc drives entirely and offer them as an optional accessory for players who own older physical discs. That leads to a problem though—there's still demand for physical media, and major retailers won't be happy selling consoles that cut them out of the game sales market

The solution? Cartridge-style game key cards
Not for storing the entire game, but simply as keys to unlock it. Cartridge readers are cheap, compact, and adding one to a console wouldn't increase costs much. And since these cartridges only act as keys, they wouldn't need to be large or expensive.

This way, retailers still have physical games to sell, the physical market remains alive, and consoles are freed from the burden of disc drives. Plus, cartridges are smaller, more practical, and more durable than discs, they could essentially last forever

You have no idea what you're talking about.

I don't own 1 PS5 game where the whole game isn't on the disc and fully playable without an update. You should actually use your head before spouting the bullshit you just did

 

[asdasdasdbb]

You have no idea what you're talking about.

I don't own 1 PS5 game where the whole game isn't on the disc and fully playable without an update. You should actually use your head before spouting the bullshit you just did

But nobody is going to play it/buy the game from a "Collector" without the patches. That's what makes DoesItPlay silly from a practicality standpoint.

 

[Shadowstar39]

you know what is cheaper for companies ?

Full Digital, it ll drive the costs of distribution to ZERO and you can still charge full price like as it was a physical copy.

and you can kiss goodbye to sales as there is no alt key market like on pc. F No!

 

[Fafalada]

Morbid curiosity - but has anyone actually looked inside a Nintendo Key Card for what's inside one?
I mean - on the face of it - I'm kind of confused why you would have 'any' storage inside it since it's basically just a glorified keyfob, and all you're really doing is associating it with game IDs to complete the solution.

 

[Hudo]

Morbid curiosity - but has anyone actually looked inside a Nintendo Key Card for what's inside one?

It explodes when you try to open it. I've lost a friend that way already.

 

[Killer8]

PS6 should contain a built-in fleshlight, such that the game only boots when it detects my appropriate size length and girth.

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

 

[Gamer79]

This idea came to me while thinking about the hardware costs of the next consoles and how companies could reduce those costs without going only digital just to increase profit.

As we all know, discs don't really serve much of a purpose anymore other than acting as a key to launch the game. The actual game data is installed on the hard drive or SSD, and sometimes the Blu-ray disc contains only a few megabytes while the rest has to be downloaded online.

Next-gen consoles should drop disc drives entirely and offer them as an optional accessory for players who own older physical discs. That leads to a problem though—there's still demand for physical media, and major retailers won't be happy selling consoles that cut them out of the game sales market

The solution? Cartridge-style game key cards
Not for storing the entire game, but simply as keys to unlock it. Cartridge readers are cheap, compact, and adding one to a console wouldn't increase costs much. And since these cartridges only act as keys, they wouldn't need to be large or expensive.

This way, retailers still have physical games to sell, the physical market remains alive, and consoles are freed from the burden of disc drives. Plus, cartridges are smaller, more practical, and more durable than discs, they could essentially last forever

 

[DonF]

"Better"
"Alternative"

no, gimme a way of accessing the game without the internet. Why? 'case sometimes shit happens.

 

[Closer]

I'd think that everyone that wants physical media wants the actual game on physical media, not some license code activator to download the game somewhere. The physical market would sure die if what you say is the "better alternative".

 

[Ashamam]

I'd be happy with some type of sd card key, especially if the console had multiple slots to reduce the need for swapping.

 

[JayK47]

Most of my games are now on Steam. So I have unfortunately placed a lot of my faith in Steam letting me continue to play games well into the future. Long gone are the days when you buy a complete game on a disk or cartridge. Nintendo was the last holdout and it seems they finally caved with the Switch 2. I am not sure how I feel about some weird key card. I am sure it is cheap and therefore better for the publisher. Remember when the biggest enemy to game developers and publishers was the scary GameStop? Now look where we are.

 

[cinnamonandgravy]

optical drives use lasers
lasers are cool

laserphobic assholes

 

[Kvally]

Or they could just…keep the blu ray drive.