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[8bits]

So what are you arguing about? The original argument is that Sony would get rid of physical discs rather soon. With one suggesting they would do so eventually with a digital only PS4. Yet you even agree physical games will be around for at LEAST another ten years in your words, which actually crosses into next next gen.

You, and several others said this was a poor example:

.....said the person with a bunch of music CDs in 2005.
.....said the person with a bunch of DVDs and Blurays in 2010

My argument is that it is not a poor example. Physical media in the music, video and games business has not disappeared but from 2005 to today digital purchases have seen a very large percent of growth. The movie industry, not so much. The games industry, yeah there has been a lot of growth in digital purchases.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

You, and several others said this was a poor example:

My argument is that it is not a poor example. Physical media in the music, video and games business has not disappeared but from 2005 to today digital purchases have seen a very large percent of growth. The movie industry, not so much. The games industry, yeah there has been a lot of growth in digital purchases.

I think you're ignoring what he was actually replying to.

 

[8bits]

I think you're ignoring what he was actually replying to.

I think i've made my stance clear. There's no reason to keep arguing in my opinion.

 

[Kung Fu Grip]

.....said the person with a bunch of music CDs in 2005.
.....said the person with a bunch of DVDs and Blurays in 2010

I own 300 blu-rays. CD's are still being sold today. As well as DVD's and blu-rays. Digital media has gotten bigger, but physical media isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Both physical and digital media will coexist.

 

[IHaveCandy]

I don't think Sessler is an "xbot" or anything. He just comes off as if he's trying too hard to make things sound even between the two. It's like a sports commentator pretending its a close game when its a blowout.

 

[NoirVisage]

You, and several others said this was a poor example:



My argument is that it is not a poor example. Physical media in the music, video and games business has not disappeared but from 2005 to today digital purchases have seen a very large percent of growth. The movie industry, not so much. The games industry, yeah there has been a lot of growth in digital purchases.

You have a pretty fuzzy concept of what "poor" means, if his examples were any poorer, they would be 2 lines below the poverty line.

 

[gohepcat]

I own 300 blu-rays. CD's are still being sold today. As well as DVD's and blu-rays. Digital media has gotten bigger, but physical media isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Both physical and digital media will coexist.

If you start any argument with an anecdote you know you are in trouble.

Of course physical media is not going to disappear, but all you need to do is look at the rate of growth of Blu-ray compared to DVD. It's not exactly killing it, and it's pretty obvious that it's not ever going to be anything but niche product.CD sales have been tanking. Steam has been successful. Computers are shipping without disk drives. ....how can you not follow this to it's logical conclusion?

Gaming consoles will offer diskless versions of themselves at a lower price. It's ridiculous that they don't already, and if Xbox-One stuck with it's original plan, we could have had all of our games tied to our account.

BTW I own a crap-ton of blu-rays. I also have a growing record collection that would put many people to shame.

 

[quest]

I don't think Sessler is an "xbot" or anything. He just comes off as if he's trying too hard to make things sound even between the two. It's like a sports commentator pretending its a close game when its a blowout.

Well said.

 

[Fox Mulder]

Well, maybe he actually does know something about that. I mean if Microsoft is in panic mode right now because of the price too, Xbox Live Gold is one they they could conceivably cut in order to make up the price difference. If preorder numbers continue to be in the dumps what else could they do?

I don't see any way MS would actually make Gold free. There's just too much money to shove away, and how much impact would it really have when Sony could do it too.

I think MS would instead really push for a subsidy somewhere if things keep looking bad for them. A $200 xbone through a contract would make headlines and get the attention of everyone.

 

[Neuromancer]

The common cap here is 125GB (which is $50 a month). So for example if you downloaded Uncharted 3 that's already close to 1/3 of your cap for the month.

Even without buying games digitally our family of 4 (soon to be 5) comes close to 125GB just from YouTube and streaming stuff.

Congratulations!

Yeah I think the digital future of all of us downloading all games is still very far off even in developed countries. Games are going to keep getting bigger and bigger too, next generation Blurays as we know them probably won't be enough.

I'm lucky I don't have caps but even so to download a 25 gig game on my internet connection would take.. Well I'm not even sure how long, but it'd be quicker to drive to Best Buy and pick up a disc I know that much.

 

[Baron_Calamity]

I believe the issue stems from Sony and Microsoft were telling developers and publishers the same thing in regards to pricing, DRM, and hardware that they were taken by surprise as well. So much so that publishers believe that sony will reverse itself before launch. I think the disbelief that many journalist such as Adam are expressing is they believed they know the industry so well that there is no way they, and Microsoft could have been blindsided by Sony.

My personal take is Sony is thinking long term. Eventually the market will be dominated by digital purchases, much like the pc is now. So losing money on the console and used disc at launch will be more than made up by future digital purchases. No shipping costs, no revenue sharing with brick and mortar stores, and no used games market.

 

[Freshmaker]

Actually it's not a poor example. Last year alone, digital albums made up 37% of album sales. The purchase of digital music also went up by 9.1% while the purchase of physical cds went down 12.8%. Obviously, digital sales have not taken over 100% but there is clear growth which will not be overtaken by some miraculous surge of physical cd sales.

It's far easier to distribute a audio file vs a video game.

Also people suggesting there is no DRM system by way of PSN Store already are morons. (It can take other forms than hyper intrusive online checks you know.)

Those who are obsessed with the fact that consoles must use 30 year old technology baffles me. People who say video game sales won't go digital in the future are being obtuse.

HDD's were invented in 1953. Outdated. Why would we cling to such impossibly old tech? The internet is also a sagging dinosaur. Being developed in 19goddamn60. Don't even get started on the outrageous notion of CPU's or RAM.

Is this your future? Living life with a game system hinging upon parts best left in That 70's Show? Time to move on people. 10 year old tech or better! Demand it!!!!!

 

[Suikoguy]

I did. But more than a few people here are inferring or outright saying that he's been 'paid off' which is silly. Don't mistake my genial tone as any sort of cop out

I don't think he is either,

But, considering the house cleaning that will likely come to the MS PR Department, is it all that difficult to consider he is pushing for a job there ;p

Spoiler

Actually, I think it IS more likely he is trying to push the all too common media narrative building of "Both sides are the same" which pisses me off to no end