When Will Discs Be A Thing of the Past?

[jcannon]

I can't believe we're still using discs, myself. I thought by now everything would move to USB at the least. I know that there are some extremely good reasons as to why we have discs, but they just seem so flimsy and easily ruined and clunky. I also know that we need some form of tangibility, as there are many folks in the world that are unable to connect to the internet in a stable fashion -- American troops in Afghanistan, for example. USB sticks would be easier to ship, store, and protect. And you could just hang them on a little rack! Or make them into Christmas tree ornaments!

When do you think we'll see a PlayStation that is digital only? Or, do you think we'll end up with a new format before we go completely digital?

Thoughts? Rumors?

 

[Frantic]

Well if its anything like steam probably sooner rather than later. I think it will really depend on how sharing and playing your games across other people's systems will work. I have already started to buy digital only. I really like the fact that i can pick things off list. However how much can you store on the hard drive will be another concern.

 

[mareebaybay]

I mean I know there are probably plenty of people out there who don't use discs anymore. There are some people who strictly use digital copies of games, because they are easy to use. They are also very convenient.

 

[mevsthor]

I've never really given any thought to doing away with discs. Discs are a little impractical and take up a lot of room. I know that Sony has already started to move to digital games, selling them through amazon. A full switch would be pretty awesome, although then they would be competing with steam. I'd imagine that Sony probably will go fully digital in the future, when that is though, I am not sure. You bring up a good point about not everyone having a stable connection. I like your usb idea, but could also see that being a little impractical as well unless the USB stick had a lot of GB on it for many games.

 

[Shana]

Yeah there already are some people who download only and don't sue discs. The main issue with no discs and downloads only is the people who bring their games to their friends houses. Without the disc they'd have to bring their entire PS4 to their friends house. Also Gamestop and other places that trade in games would never want it to be download only either because they would loose out on a bunch of money. Sony however I'm sure would love to get it to download only, they have talked about it a few times now but these groups are the ones that complain. I would love to ditch discs though, I'm sick of them taking up room, so I generally don't buy them anymore.

 

[Haze]

Discs are only scratched and easily ruined if you treat it like trash lol.

Anyways, I'm probably going to be in the minority here but I hope it will be a long time until discs are banished. I like physical copies of games. I like to see the collection in front of me in physical form.

 

[HydraForce]

It's going to be quite a long time before Discs are obsolete and gotten rid of, especially for gaming. "USB"'s will NEVER be used for future gaming solely because they cost a lot more to make and manufacture for a much, MUCH smaller size. And, with USB's piracy/modding would be incredibly easier since all the physical data is right there and getting into a USB is as simple as plugging it into a computer or another device that can read it. The reason a lot of people still use discs is because as games get bigger, better, and prettier, the SIZE of the game gets larger. The amount of people with low to moderate amount of internet speed GREATLY overpowers the amount of people who have godly connections and amazing download speeds. Getting rid of discs would hurt the industry so badly that several people (Especially those across seas in the military or don't have money for internet) would no longer be able to purchase and play games.

 

[SpaceTiger]

Anyways, I'm probably going to be in the minority here but I hope it will be a long time until discs are banished. I like physical copies of games. I like to see the collection in front of me in physical form.

I'd be in that minority as well. I like having a physical collection to look at. Can't really stand back and take in your collection while pushing analog sticks up and down and looking scrolling text with a preview image.

However, I do get the space concerns some have even though some would have you believe they have bins and crates of games just in the middle of the room.

 

[hellsing006]

I still love owning physical discs but I thin we're approaching a digital world only son. It's becoming more custom for games to get digital and physical releases right now so I could see if the next console cycle is all digital downloads and not physical disc. At this point it's more a matter of when and not if we go all digital.

 

[DPatel304]

I think this generation we'll see a lot more people try and get into the console game and some will do relatively well. We've already seen things like the Ouya which didn't fare too well, but I think that fight is just beginning. There are tons of games on Android and iOS that could easily be translated to the TV, and if they start coming included into smart TVs or Blu-ray players, then it'll get more and more people playing them. I think with the PS4, we will have every game available on disc and digital. with PS5, we'll still have disc games, but I think they will be completely gone by PS6.

 

[SpaceTiger]

I think with the PS4, we will have every game available on disc and digital. with PS5, we'll still have disc games, but I think they will be completely gone by PS6.

I still love owning physical discs but I thin we're approaching a digital world only son. It's becoming more custom for games to get digital and physical releases right now so I could see if the next console cycle is all digital downloads and not physical disc. At this point it's more a matter of when and not if we go all digital.

I'm not really liking the sound of that. I don't mind digital for handhelds since I take my 3DS everywhere and I don't want to carry three or more games on me or even consoles that are digital only in their first generation (like the Ouya), but for home consoles that have been traditionally disc based...I know it's heading in that direction, just not particularly enthused about it.

 

[DrRipley]

I think they are already pretty much a thing of the past. In my opinion, the only thing keeping us using these discs nowadays is the ease of duplicating/pirating digital content. Otherwise, I think these companies would be pushing digital a lot more, because I think they can profit a lot more and a lot faster with it and they know it.

 

[mauricioq]

Discs are already being underused because digital sales are becoming more and more relevant, look at steam, it's huge nowadays!
I always thought the PS4 would get rid of the discs...
I'm sure the next generation will be discless.

 

[leif029]

i hope discs stay around....i enjoy the thrill of going to the store and buying the game and getting it in your actual hand.....i think digital downloads just make people more lazy its ok to leave your house once in a while lol

 

[aperture7]

I like discs, but if a download is going to be cheaper because of the lack of printed material and casing...I would so much prefer downloads.

Discs do look cool on a shelf, it's nice to show them off that way, though. That something digital copies can never replace. You peering at the shelf and thinking "Oh, I forgot I had that, I forgot I loved that game."

 

[HydraForce]

I like discs, but if a download is going to be cheaper because of the lack of printed material and casing...I would so much prefer downloads.

In the past couple of years, I've never found a digital download to be cheaper then the physical copy of the game. It most likely will never be, since doing a digital download through a sole proprietor like Playstation Network or Xbox LIVE, the proceeds go directly to them and their usage of the rights. Steam is a massive third party type of deal so they are allowed to sell them at constant different rates, but not the same way on Consoles.

As I stated earlier, the entire reason we're still using discs is solely because of the SIZE of the content and the lack of high-speed coverage. It's common sense when you think about it. Things like Microsoft Office, and other programs that are under a few gigs have almost completely gotten rid of disc usage because even on low end DSL it can still be downloaded fairly quick. However, someone who doesn't have 30 to 50+ MB/s download speed, it'll take far to long for the average consumer to want to wait around for a digital download.

 

[Fyreglow]

I like discs and I think that we're still going to see the around for a long time, but I'll be going down the digital route this generation.

 

[The Unlosing Ranger]

In the past couple of years, I've never found a digital download to be cheaper then the physical copy of the game. It most likely will never be, since doing a digital download through a sole proprietor like Playstation Network or Xbox LIVE, the proceeds go directly to them and their usage of the rights. Steam is a massive third party type of deal so they are allowed to sell them at constant different rates, but not the same way on Consoles.

As I stated earlier, the entire reason we're still using discs is solely because of the SIZE of the content and the lack of high-speed coverage. It's common sense when you think about it. Things like Microsoft Office, and other programs that are under a few gigs have almost completely gotten rid of disc usage because even on low end DSL it can still be downloaded fairly quick. However, someone who doesn't have 30 to 50+ MB/s download speed, it'll take far to long for the average consumer to want to wait around for a digital download.

Well, I HAVE seen a few games that are cheaper digital than physical, at least at release. Soul Sacrifice on Vita is one, $35 on digital at launch vs $40 on physical at launch. If PSN and XBL had Steam-like sales, it would be quite amazing.

But yeah, completely agree with your second paragraph. Pretty much what I was going to say.

 

[dragoonblade]

There have been games that were cheaper digitally but it's not the norm right now because no one's demanding it. But I do think that it's impossible for us not to go digitally in the future. It does feel like we're slowly being weaned off physical discs. First they started removing all the bonus content that you got with disc, then they started offering digital downloads of games, then they started releasing the digital version before the physical. It just feel inevitable.

 

[themarting]

I think by next gen we will have done away with discs completely