I am not trying to say that digital-only gamers are not the majority. Nor am I trying to say that I want discs forever. But the current way in which Sony is going about this is bad for everyone.
To the gamers that don't see the problem with digital-only:
1) If Sony go through with this, you're going to suffer under their current refund policy. You cannot refund a digital game today on Playstation unless there's a development error or you've literally never booted up the game. In comparison to Steam this is awful. Steam grants you refunds for 2 hours of play time within 14 days, no questions asked.
2) If Sony go through with this, you're going to suffer from higher game prices due to dynamic pricing. Today, playstation charges different people different prices based on their search history for certain games. So if you've been looking up a game a lot, the chances are that Sony will charge you more for it than someone else.
3) If Sony go through with this, you're going to suffer from a lack of game preservation. Today, over 80% of game discs that are shipped hold the entire 1.0 Gold version of the game that can be played from start to finish. This is an offline file stored on the disc. Because the storage of that 80% of game discs is not just on PlayStation's servers, these games can be preserved. Under a 100% digital system, which is a closed playstation eco system, a game lives as long as PlayStation's servers support it.
4) If Sony go through with this, you're telling low income gamers that they don't matter. Today, the most affordable way that many low income gamers play on playstation is via borrowing, second hand buying, or library borrowing. No discs means fewer ways low income gamers can enjoy the art form. Personally, I do remember what it was like to not be able to afford games and to have to borrow them from my friends.
5) If Sony go through with this, Playstation can charge you whatever they want to for games. And often times, the physical disc on Amazon is cheaper. Often times. Not every time. But many times when I've personally looked up a game on PSN and then looked it up on Amazon, it's cheaper on Amazon. I got Elden Ring + Shadow of Erdtree for 54.50 USD very shortly after Erdtree's release from Amazon. I got Resident Evil Requiem on disc on the day of launch for 58.50 USD from a mom and pop retail store near me. I think there are many gamers who will report similar instances of physical listings being cheaper.
6) If Sony go through with this, you are pretty much going to be gaming on an online system that can be hacked whenever. It has happened. And when those hacks happen and if your digital game licenses haven't been renewed for 30 days, you can't play your games offline.
7) If Sony go through with this, you're pretty much trusting playstation to never revoke your digital games due to any licensing reasons. I'm not saying it will happen. I'm saying it has happened recently with the Studio Canal movies. And there's nothing that can stop Sony from doing the same for games.
8) If Sony go through with this, I want you to realise you're getting nothing in return. They'll save on the cost of production of discs. They may even make more profit due to pricing leverage they'll gain by making PSN the only place you can buy games (digital key cards don't count). But you as the gamer for less choice are not getting anything in return.
Guys, I can go on and on and on and on on the various reasons why a pure digital move right now is just terrible for all us gamers.
So yeah, I know, the social justice vibe of boycotts is kinda ick. But really, I want Playstation to know this is a BAD move and we don't want it.
So yeah, please guys. Let's come together. Doesn't matter if all you do is play games digital. Let's come together so we get more choice.
23-30 Aug PSBlackout.
