Debate: Will PS4 mark the last generation of boxed games?

OPM: With the PS4 built for an online digital world and downloadable games becoming more and more prevalent, is the sun setting on boxed retail games? Let’s ask four of the Official PlayStation Magazine UK team what they think.

[allformats]

Maybe. Because if new consoles are released in five years, I don't believe we'll be ready for the all-digital future just yet.

But if they're released in 8yrs, like this current gen, then yes, we'll be ready to go all the way.

[iamnsuperman]

I think we a 10 years away from full digital downloads. The problem is it isn't up to the companies to push it but for governments to invest in broadband companies to put in the cable. That just costs too much for so many countries. You will have a large proportion of the user base throughout the world who can't download now and probably can't in the foreseeable future. It could be even 2 or 3 generations away

[Need4Game]

"Will PS4 mark the last generation of boxed games?"

boxed Games? People will still put their "Games" in "box" for few more centuries.

[MWong]

@ iamnsuperman agreed

Digital downloads will probably be, 2-3 generations away.

[dedicatedtogamers]

I know people say "digital games are the future" and that retail copies will die away, but it won't, no matter how advanced technology gets. There will always be a customer who wants to buy physical, and unlike a CD or movie which are $20 or less, games are expensive, and many people like getting a physical thing for their $60 investment. People bring up Steam all the time to "prove" digital is the future but the reality is that most Steam users wait for the sales and buy games when they're $40 or less.

Heck, iPod and iTunes came out HOW many years ago? And you can still buy CDs. Most albums even come out on vinyl too nowadays, if you can believe it.

[Clarence]

I agree. I prefer physical copy. Sony was smart. I think the PSP Go was a test to see if the market was ready for digital.

[thorstein]

You can still buy books and movies too. The digital book and movie market is not growing at the exponential rate it did a few years back. Digital is good for a few games and for a percentage of gamers, but it isn't the be all and end all of the industry.

Like all media, there is a balance.

[dumahim]

I know I'll be buying less games if/when it goes all digital. I like to collect games and you can't really show off a collection if it's on a HD. I've got a pretty large collection of Final Fantasy games and purchased games I knew I'd never play just to keep the collection somewhat current. I'd never make those buys if it was all digital.

[NYC_Gamer]

They can't make digital the future right now on consoles because the big 3 depend on retail stores to sell their hardware...That's why digital prices on console aren't cheaper so most opt for disc...I bet most gamers wouldn't mind buying new games from PSN/XBL/E-Shop if they were cheaper compared to retail shops...I'm going to buy some digital releases on consoles when not in the mood for travel or waiting for my game to be delivered via mail.

[GribbleGrunger]

I doubt it.

[extermin8or]

Nah they won't look at places like Africa and Brazil where the internet infrasturucture doesn't have the investment etc-sony still sells ALOT of console in these places often years after their release. MS might have been happy to eliminate these markets but Sony said no digital only for foreseeable future-next gen is something they will already have a few guys working on and by Xmas 2014 I'm sure they will be well underway with ps5 plans etc. So no physical media isn't going anywhere.

[esemce]

No.

[Sitdown]

Perhaps when majority of the homes in video game markets have reliable internet services...... But even then Nintendo will bring to the rear.

[sly-Famous]

No chance of that happening any time soon and what I mean by that is,not in the next 20 or so years. A study done a few months ago proved that hard copy will be around for at least another 20-30 years. I personally prefer to handle my game copies, besides the DRM outcry should be proof enough.

[JW1080]

I think gaming consoles and physical media are here to stay. There is no reason for them not to be. Not everyone has internet and many may have slow internet speeds. I do think a lot more people will be downloading games in the future however. But it's nice to have the option to either download digitally or purchase at retail. Downloading will increase in popularity. But the hard copy will remain.

[greedybear88]

Doubtful

[skydragoonity]

In your dreams.

[Rhezin]

Hope not, I hate digital ANYTHING. Love physical copies of my media. Seems like it's a dying breed though :(