The PS4 Doesn't Sound Like It'll Be Download Only


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The PlayStation 3 was released in 2006. Sony has famously said the console will have a ten year console life. By that math, we can expect the PlayStation 4 sometime after 2016. But can we expect a digital-download-only console?Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai discussed digital downloads and their future in Sony consoles.

"We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn't as robust as one would hope," Hirai told website MCV.

"There's always going to be requirement for a business of our size and scope to have a physical medium," Hirai continued. "To think everything will be downloaded in two years, three years or even ten years from now is taking it a little bit to the extreme."

While Sony launched a digital-download-only version of the PSP called the PSPgo, Sony also won the hi-def format war with Blu-ray. Supporting physical format could be best globally for PlayStation customers and for Sony's own interests.

Back in 2006, former Sony Computer Entertainment exec Phil Harrison told Wired, "I'd be amazed if the PlayStation 4 has a physical disc drive."

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While the PS4 won't be download only, download will be the main focus IMO. Same day release retail titles from the PSN Store. They will still release physical copies as well, but their growth goal will be in DD.

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I read the entire bit you quoted, rather wasting the time, as the first 3 sentences give all the information required. Console won't be out for another 6 years. So..why the speculation now?

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"We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn't as robust as one would hope," Hirai told website MCV.

This pretty much says it all. The world just isn't ready for something like this, not all of us have super internets like they do in Japan (for very cheap I might add).

PSP is a little different tho, considering they are pretty small in filesize compared to full B-Ray games.

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I think downloading a 30gb, heck even a 10gb game is going to be a bit of a stretch for a lot of people.

That's what I was thinking. Forget about speed issues alone, in many countries ISPs cap the amount you can download per month. Luckily not here in the Netherlands though, I can download how much I want. :p

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Some think the PS4 will be out next year or the year after (not me).

Right now there's not even a spec for next-gen, so nobody's making games for them. It takes time to make games (i.e. 2+ years). So let's say, most optimistically, that game companies get PS4 devkits next year. Give them 2 years to make launch titles, and that gives a 2013 release date. Again, that's supposing PS4 devkits arrive next year, which I'd find surprising.
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The PS4 is not coming in 2016! why do people insist when Sony say "10 year life cycle" that it means the next PlayStation is coming in 10 years? :wacko: it just means Sony will continue to support and develop for the PS3 for 10 years, people seem to forget the PS2 was on a similar life cycle as well and it was supported for quite a few years after the PS3 released.

I doubt the PS4 will be download only, the PS3 was envisioned as download only as well but Blu-Ray put an end to that :p and I suspect the PS4 will keep the Blu-Ray drive. That is my 2 cents, take with a grain of salt.

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Though Sony has said that they expect the PS3 to have a 10 year lifecycle, the PS2 is still selling alongside the PS3. I think that was their intent. So I do not expect that people will have to wait until 2016 for the PS4. And I really don't think that they would be able to get it download only because it would hurt their retail partners, which are also very helpful in selling the console itself. So if they were not able to make a profit on game sales as well, the console would be tucked away in the back corner and not in as visible a place as the more profitable (For the store) systems.

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The PSP Go failed as a download only handheld console.

But do you think the ISPs can handle 10-50Gb of data at a reasonable speed by 2016?? I don't!

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The PlayStation 3 was released in 2006. Sony has famously said the console will have a ten year console life. By that math, we can expect the PlayStation 4 sometime after 2016.

Stopped reading here.

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Rather pathetic article. ANYONE who has been playing games for at least 2 generations knows that the 10 year life cycle doesn't mean 10 years between consoles.

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I don't think the PS4 will be download only because then all those game shops would not stock it. It would die in retail.

Sounds exactly like a marketing plan Sony would go for, its going to happen :whistle:

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