There’s been quite a long time where rumors pointed at Microsoft and Sony trying and understanding possibilities of removing disc drives for their next generation machines, but as we’ve learned earlier this year both PlayStation 5 and Project Scarlett will feature them anyway.
There’s been speculation pointed at Microsoft and Sony understanding the possibilities of removing disc drives for their next-generation machines. But as we learned earlier this year both PlayStation 5 and Project Scarlett will feature them.
The news has made GameStop, the most prominent video games retailer around the world, very happy as it confirms the platform owners care about the retail market and their relationships.
“I think both Microsoft and Sony are keenly aware that the consumer needs that optionality,” said Frank Hamlin, chief customer officer at GameStop. “We’re very much a believer in helping our customers sell them a physical game when they want it.”
“It’s much like a collectible. They like the collectibility and trophy on the shelf,” Hamlin said. “That tangibility is something that’s extremely important for the right game experience. Not giving the customers the privilege of having that is something I think both Sony and Microsoft are aware would be a foolish thing to do.”
GameStop also believes that with the internet connections still being relatively slow in many parts of the globe, disc drives and physical media remains a significant role in how gamers get their content. That especially goes for those titles with substantial install data required to download, such as Red Dead Redemption 2.
What do you do of this position from GameStop, are you with them or would you prefer to see next-gen machines relying on downloads?
Published: Jul 12, 2019 01:46 pm