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The future of consoles could look completely different to what we've known so far. Increasingly, everything suggests that both Sony and Microsoft plan to abandon physical media entirely in the next generation of their devices. The latest reports emerged after Sony's decision to end production of discs for PlayStation. According to leaks, the new Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, is expected to follow a similar path. For many gamers, this could mean the definitive end of the era of boxed game releases.
Sony and Microsoft set to go exclusively with digital distribution
According to recent reports, PlayStation 6 is expected to launch solely as a disc-free model. Sony has not confirmed this outright, but the company announced the end of physical disc production with the next generation of consoles in mind. At the same time, information has emerged that Microsoft is preparing a similar strategy for the console currently known as Project Helix. It therefore looks like the two biggest console manufacturers want to move entirely to digital sales. The decision is not accidental and stems from market changes observed over several years. Digital game sales have been steadily rising, while interest in boxed releases continues to fall. More and more players are buying titles directly from the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store. Console makers also see benefits in cutting the costs of producing and distributing physical media. According to unofficial reports, dropping the optical drive could also help lower production costs for the new devices, which are expected to be significantly more expensive than the current generation. So far neither company has revealed the official specifications of their future consoles.
The end of discs will divide gamers worldwide
Although most people already buy games digitally, a complete move away from discs is stirring up a lot of debate. Many gamers still collect physical editions and value the ability to resell finished titles. For some users, an important argument is the option to install a game without having to download huge files from the internet. Supporters of digital distribution point to the convenience, instant access to purchased games and no problems with damaged discs. More and more releases are also being sold in boxes that contain only a download code, which shows the direction the whole industry is heading. If the PlayStation 6 and the new Xbox really do abandon disc drives, it will be one of the biggest changes in the history of the console market. For now, however, all information about the future devices is based on leaks and industry analyses. We won't know Sony's and Microsoft's final decisions until the official presentations of the new consoles.
The latest leaks suggest that both the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix could launch without disc drives. If confirmed, the next generation of consoles will be another step towards fully digital game distribution.
Source: wccftech
