PS4 News (2013 Release and will have disk media)

[NukemNazi]

They could go with hybrid model still - all games available physical *and* digital, simultaneously. Would cause untold amounts of pain to GameStop.

Wasn't really a surprise for Sony as they commonly want to keep backward compatibility at least at the launch (see PS3 launch) and they want to sell PS as bluray player so PS4 having bluray drive is to be expected.

I don't think they want to upset any retailer. They still have to have someone to sell the hardware. If they could find a way to sell the hardware without retailers...

I also doubt backward compatibility will be possible or quite limited with such a major shift in hardware.

[Irontiger]

I don't think they want to upset any retailer. They still have to have someone to sell the hardware. If they could find a way to sell the hardware without retailers...

I also doubt backward compatibility will be possible or quite limited with such a major shift in hardware.

Hardware sales don't need software partnerships. Plenty of stores have no problem selling DVD players without selling DVDs. There will always be retail space for points cards and the like, too. Even if a move to pure DD would kill off the Gamestops, it wouldn't necessarily hurt the entire industry. Some other retailer would adapt to take up Gamestop's portion of distribution.

[CorrupT88]

And a selling point is people buy it as a blu ray player also

[dracom_ma]

And a selling point is people buy it as a blu ray player also

This is true. I used my PS3 more as a media center then actual game system. Although, it's been demoted with the introduction of my new HTPC.

[Jarnis]

I don't think they want to upset any retailer. They still have to have someone to sell the hardware. If they could find a way to sell the hardware without retailers...

I also doubt backward compatibility will be possible or quite limited with such a major shift in hardware.

Considering how pissed off AAA console publishers are at GameStop "pawnshop" model (see: online passes and other "first owner only keycodes"), they might push Sony's hand...

[red_dog007]

Well places like WalMart and BestBuy have trial locations of the "pawnshop" model which I am sure are doing great and will only expand into more and more stores.
They both already have online offerings of pre-owned games.
Services like Gamefly would be hurt, which is a great service imo.


Not only GameStop would be effected and little guys.