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PlayStation 4 will still use optical media, says Hirai

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DVDBack23 @ Aug 27, 2010 02:58 | 24 comments

During an interview with MCV, Sony CEO Kaz Hirai ruled out an all-digital future, at least for the PlayStation 4, saying the console will still use optical media.

Sony was generally criticized for launching the PSPGo handheld, which removed the company's proprietary UMD drives, and turned everything digital, forcing gamers to purchase and download their games through the PlayStation Store.

When asked if the PS4 would use a similar strategy, Hirai responded: "We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn’t as robust as one would hope. There’s always going to be requirement for a business of our size and scope to have a physical medium."

"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."

Earlier in the month, it was revealed that Sony is already preparing games for the upcoming PlayStation 4, the console which has not even been announced yet.

Many expect a 2012 launch date for the next-gen console.

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Comments

Comment by: KillerBug (Aug 27, 2010 03:30)

Quote:

When asked if the PS4 would use a similar strategy, Hirai responded: "We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn’t as robust as one would hope. There’s always going to be requirement for a business of our size and scope to have a physical medium."

Wait...Sony learned a lesson from the PSPGo? Sony learned something? Nah, it couldn't be...this guy must be having a stroke or something.

Comment by: biglo30 (Aug 27, 2010 03:30)

Sony is really making sure that this time they won't be left behind.

Comment by: biglo30 (Aug 27, 2010 03:32)

Originally posted by KillerBug:

Quote:

When asked if the PS4 would use a similar strategy, Hirai responded: "We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn’t as robust as one would hope. There’s always going to be requirement for a business of our size and scope to have a physical medium."
Wait...Sony learned a lesson from the PSPGo? Sony learned something? Nah, it couldn't be...this guy must be having a stroke or something.

That was the dumbest business decision ever. I still do know how they expected people who already own an older model psp to update and just abandon their already purchased games.

Comment by: jookycola (Aug 27, 2010 03:52)

I still can't believe the PS4 is coming already. Man, did 10 years fly by.

Comment by: ivymike (Aug 27, 2010 05:19)

The end of the world set to occur on Dec. 22, 2012 so release date of the PS4 will be critical.

Comment by: Mysttic (Aug 27, 2010 05:21)

Told yea their PSP2 won't focus on downloads only; they still may incorporate it, but it will still be optical like the PSIV

Comment by: Morreale (Aug 27, 2010 05:35)

This sounds good to me.. I like my physical media :)

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Comment by: Amak (Aug 27, 2010 07:29)

The PSPGo concept didn't seem bad, but the whole "sorry, you have to buy your games again" part sucked. If they could fix that issue, I can see digital distribution working for Sony.... sadly.

Comment by: xaznboitx (Aug 27, 2010 08:20)

watch the server crashed if they add all games digital on their site...

I hope it will allow PS3 games to work with it, if not then there's no point of having a disc tray... and make all movies digital too..

by the way, if they still going to use blu ray, it's going take us all day to download 4gb game

Comment by: KillerBug (Aug 27, 2010 10:07)

Originally posted by Amak:
The PSPGo concept didn't seem bad, but the whole "sorry, you have to buy your games again" part sucked. If they could fix that issue, I can see digital distribution working for Sony.... sadly.

Well, that, and the fact that it was a download-only mobile device with no 3G...I sure would love to be the guy that sells crack to the Sony management; I would be a billionaire!

Comment by: i1der (Aug 27, 2010 15:00)

Psp2 is an android phone so no media disk, maybe this time they would try memory cards.i don't see digital media as bad I actually love it but optical will always be needed

*̡͌l̡*̡̡ ̴̡ı̴̴̡ ̡̡͡|̲̲̲͡͡͡ ̲▫̲͡ ̲̲̲͡͡π̲̲͡͡ ̲̲͡▫̲̲͡͡ ̲|̡̡̡ ̡ ̴̡ı̴̡̡ *̡͌l̡

Comment by: biglo30 (Aug 27, 2010 16:57)

Originally posted by KillerBug:

Originally posted by Amak:
The PSPGo concept didn't seem bad, but the whole "sorry, you have to buy your games again" part sucked. If they could fix that issue, I can see digital distribution working for Sony.... sadly.
Well, that, and the fact that it was a download-only mobile device with no 3G...I sure would love to be the guy that sells crack to the Sony management; I would be a billionaire!

LMAO +1

Comment by: baxter00 (Aug 27, 2010 17:33)

Originally posted by ivymike:
The end of the world set to occur on Dec. 22, 2012 so release date of the PS4 will be critical.

At least we wouldn't have to worry about updates that brick our consoles.

Comment by: NHS2008 (Aug 27, 2010 18:26)

wow! its been roughly 4 years since PS3 hit the market! I was planning to get a one..but now I am not interested..

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Comment by: sssharp (Aug 27, 2010 18:39)

that is still 2 years from now

Comment by: jookycola (Aug 27, 2010 23:09)

Maybe Polyphony will finally release GT5 when the PS4 launches.
meh, prolly not.

Comment by: Oner (Aug 28, 2010 00:07)

I got a bridge for sale (CHEAP!) to anyone who believes the PS4 will be out in 2 years... ;P

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Comment by: KillerBug (Aug 28, 2010 06:49)

Originally posted by jookycola:
Maybe Polyphony will finally release GT5 when the PS4 launches.
meh, prolly not.

I figure they will probably release the ps3 version sometime around launch of the PS5...then they will blame piracy for poor sales.

Originally posted by Oner:
I got a bridge for sale (CHEAP!) to anyone who believes the PS4 will be out in 2 years... ;P

Why is this so hard to believe? Sony relesed the PS1 in 1994, the PS2 in 2000, and the PS3 in 2006; why wouldn't they release a PS4 on the same schedule? Yeah, it will probably be released in November or December, and it will probably cost a small fortune at launch...but I see nothing stopping a 2012 release.

Comment by: Oner (Aug 28, 2010 18:40)

The PS3 doesn't have the inherent deficiencies that the PS2 had (no standard internet, no upgrade-ability, disc space issues towards the end). Those alone should push the PS3's schedule at least 1-3 years additionally & remember the PS3 has not really hit it's optimization of it's coding which will definitely help in what it can produce. It is highly doubtful the PS4 will be out in 2012...now IF it was to be, I couldn't see it being any sooner than what you guessed KB @ December ~ basically 2013.

And as far as price I don't see it being the shocker the PS3 was since the ground/prep work has been laid for the biggest cost that was within the PS3 - Blu-ray. The next PS will not have a "new" optical media that will increase cost like it did with the PS3, but it would most likely have something like a quad layer BD or something similar that will offer "more" but not at an exorbitant cost. I think we can all agree Sony won't be making that decision again anytime soon.

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Comment by: blueboy09 (Aug 29, 2010 03:27)

Originally posted by baxter00:

Originally posted by ivymike:
The end of the world set to occur on Dec. 22, 2012 so release date of the PS4 will be critical.

At least we wouldn't have to worry about updates that brick our consoles.

Yeah, ain't that the truth. Nothing's worse than a bricked piece of shit that you can't play or use!!

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Comment by: TBandit (Aug 30, 2010 06:34)

Originally posted by ivymike:
The end of the world set to occur on Dec. 22, 2012 so release date of the PS4 will be critical.

lmfao before the xbox

tcg

Comment by: KillerBug (Aug 31, 2010 09:46)

Originally posted by TBandit:

Originally posted by ivymike:
The end of the world set to occur on Dec. 22, 2012 so release date of the PS4 will be critical.

lmfao before the xbox

I was under the impression that the date was November 6, 2012...but I guess he has until January 19, 2013 to destroy the world; no need to do it the same day that he looses the election.

Comment by: Jemborg (Aug 31, 2010 21:22)

Meh, the arguments about it not being released by late 2012 are negated if the machine is backwards compatible.

They will want to get the drop on MS... they were hurt last time.

They will want it to push sales for 3d TVs they want to flog. I don't believe that 3d gaming on the PS3 will amount to much. I've heard that sort of hype before. Don't forget they own a movie company too.

Optical media will stay because it their best safeguard against "piracy" as they see it. It's worked well for them till that jailbrake device came out.

It may be a big ask but I would not be surprised it's what they plan to do.

PS: Are quad layer BRs a reality or vapourware?

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

Comment by: salsa36 (Sep 02, 2010 12:13)

No physical media would be devastating for game retailers, what would gamestop sell?

It was really stupid to eliminate the disk on the psp.........