Surprising many fans at the PlayStation 5 event was the reveal of the console itself, and it's certainly a striking bit of kit. Whatever you think of the white and black console, Sony also surprised us with a second SKU of the next-gen machine -- a Digital Edition, one without a disc drive. We weren't necessarily expecting this, but it makes complete sense when you think about it.
Jim Ryan provides a very simple answer on this subject to the BBC. While the PlayStation boss could not be drawn on pricing, he did comment on why the disc-less alternative exists. "Many of our consumers are purchasing solely digitally these days," Ryan notes. "We thought that we would do what we typically try and do, and just offer choice."
As to the question of price, Ryan won't bite, but does say the company is working on "getting the value equation right". It's not the first time he's emphasised value rather than raw consumer cost. From our perspective, it would seem Sony is looking to make up for a somewhat lofty price tag with a varied and quality games library from the start.
Anyway, a Digital Edition of PS5 seems like a sensible idea in this day and age. Will you be buying the Digital Edition, or do you want the extra functionality of the Blu-Ray drive? Have your say in the comments section below.
[source bbc.co.uk, via gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 81
Choice is always good.
I don't want this, but I'm still glad they've offered it. Hopefully now they'll make some moves with regards to consumer ownership of digital titles.
But for me I want the disc drive. Always.
As for price, it's definitely sounding like they're expecting MS to undercut them. I'm still guessing €500.00 for XBOX, €550.00 for PS5.
Can't wait for this console, folks. I was excited already, but after last night I'm buzzing.
Nah, I'll stick with the regular version.
Depending on price difference I may go for this. I haven't purchased a bluray/4k film in years and 90% of my PS4 library is digital.
Is the ssd size is the same? Because now I think ps5 digital edition will have more storage and same price as ps5 disc editon.
I will not buy a Digital only console - regardless of whether its the most cost effective option...
Been all digital since PS3 so the digital edition is the one for me. It looks cleaner too without the drive tacked onto the side. I applaud Sony for doing it straight out the gate.
Personally I’ll go for the drive version as I like the option to be able to sell my games.
I'm not so much bothered about the Blu Ray drive but I would want it to have a disc drive for the games.
I completely get the convenience of going all digital but I do like the idea of being able to sell or trade in a game when I've finished with it.
If you buy digital that simply isn't an option.
Also the fact that physical disc games tend to be cheaper is a big selling point for me too.
I do wonder where the analog console is? Since even a disc is a digital medium...
I think the term should be discless instead of digital only.
I will be getting the disc version as I still like to share games with mates and buy second hand games. I think it is important we don't lose the likes of Game as I hate buying games from supermarkets or online even if it is a bit cheaper, I enjoy talking with other gamers and staff at the store.
My guess is £450 without the drive and £550 with, no doubt XBOX will be £400 and £500 respectively in an attempt to regain a bit of market share.
Digital Edition is stupid and not my things. I will be getting the disc version since I love to collected my favourite physical games. BAN DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE! ITS STUPID!
I got sick of dusty boxes and I buy all my games digital these days with PS Store sales, plus I got one year of PS Now, so bye bye physical...
Bonus : Design is way better
Definitely surprised at this announcement. Like many here I'll probably get the one with a disc drive but I do think it's cool having the option there to cut cost for some people.
I could totally go for a digi only console, but prefer buying films on 4K disk, so will wait to see what the specs are.
This is the one I will probably get since the last physical game I bought was back in 2013. It needs to be at least 100 bucks cheaper though otherwise I will buy the one with the Blu ray drive.
I was surprised. I already have a UHD player and buy most games from PSN, but have several PS4 games on disc. It depends on the price difference, but I do prefer the design of the digital-only one.
Not a good thing for Sony to have complete control of the eco system they will hold everyone to ransom on price of the games, plus you have no option to trade your games to get some money back. The size of these games are gonna be huge, having a 825gb SSD will not be big enough for too many games at once on there, meaning you gonna be installing and removing games quite often if you play quite a few games at any time, you better hope you got a very fast internet connection otherwise you gonna be waiting around a lot!
I love the design of the PS5 - which really surprises me - like i genuinely, fully love it. But i think the digital only version is the cleaner looking console. Sony clearly struggled to fit a disc drive into that form factor. With thay said, i am 100% getting the PS5 that takes physical media. I dont really know why anyone wouldn't want to have the choice of being able to play both physical and digital on the machine.
I think it's a tough call and is going to boil down to cost since I've held off getting a 4k Blu-ray player for this reason.
I don't tend to buy physical games unless they are collectors editions, which I'm happy to live without.
If the cost saving can get me a decent Blu-ray player then I'm going all digital. If not then I'm sticking with the disc drive ☺️
@Sb2020
Unless they allow you to move PS5 games onto an external USB HDD, then back to the SSD if you wanted to play them. I'd need to check, but was this mentioned or alluded to in Cerny's tech talk?
@NotSmartEnough Yes you can do that
I like the idea of digital only, but it still seems a little impractical to me personally. When I get a PS5 it will be the only modern console attached to my TV, most likely, so if I want to watch a movie on physical media - I have a small BluRay library - I'll need something to play it on.
Next, we need clarity on the bc situation. I assume if I go digital only my PS4 discs are now coasters?
Lastly, I have a handful of independent game stores in my area and I do want to continue to support them. Their demise as an industry is only expedited by a 100% digital conversion. So I guess I'll continue to buy both formats.
@Neolit Yeah, ssd is still more expensive than normal harddrive, I was gonna buy the disc-less option if it has twice the storage of normal ps5, but it seems the disc-less version is just the cheaper version. My guess is the ps5 digital version will be $50-100 cheaper.
@Luminous117 Yeah, I like trading games with friends, and physical is often quite a lot cheaper for me.
Never buy blue ray disc and I have nearly 400 digital games on PS4 and only 2 discs. So digital for me. Thanks for giving us a choice.
I’ll be getting the all digital version. I certainly wouldn’t have said this a few years ago. But I haven’t bought a physical game in years. I also already own a good UHD player. I just prefer the lazy option. It not like you won’t have to instal all discs and run patches to play anyway. Not sure anything will convince me to buy physical again if the price doesn’t bother me now I’m not sure what else will change my mind
Will probably buy one of each so me and the misses can play PS5 together. That's what we currently do with our 2 Pro consoles.
Main room will have the 4K Blu Ray and dining room will be the all digital. Ideal. Just need a spare £1000 or so 😬
If it's cheaper, I probably will buy the digital version. I haven't bought a physical game in years and I don't buy films. If they're close in terms of price (£50 or so), I'll probably get the disc version just to have the option (though I probably won't use it much).
I think the Digital Edition looks more elegant.
@sanderev I guess you could say delivery system. Digital only is via the PlayStation network and the optical disc option also has the option of a disc that you physically put in the machine. One way of thinking anyway.
I'll probably get the disc version and add the extra compatible M.2 cards that Mark Cerny was talking about (minimum of 7GB/s) when they become more affordable or I run out of space. Hopefully there will be more than one extra M.2 slot.
I still can't get on board with digital so disc version all the way.
Digital games are always more expensive day one so in the end that 'saving' on the console will be gone in no time with your first couple of game purchases.
More power to the people that don't worry about losing access to their games in many years to come but I can't do that.
Regular edition for me.
@Sb2020
I think if you’re putting a disk in and you have to install it makes no difference to me you’ll still need to download update patches so will need internet working. As for ps store holding us to ransom on inflated prices. It’s not going to happen in a free market. People will just choose Xbox, Steam or Epic store and switch entirely to another console. Most players aren’t as committed to a brand as us on sites like this and will happily switch brands at the next console change. Especially if they feel they have been slighted by the company. I believe prices will go down through competition and not having to be contractually obliged to not under cut brick and mortar stores as they currently are. Price will be the new battle ground.
@Gravity_Bear Yes, so discless. Physical isn't the opposite of digital. The PS5 itself is physical, so is the SSD that holds the game data. The gamedate is digital.
If you have a game disc, the gamedata is digital as well.
If you have a game board like monopoly the game is analog.
standard edition, but i'm not paying more than £50 over the digital edition if the drive is literally the only difference. i'll wait for a price drop.
It depends on price. I get most of my stuff digitally now, but I do still get the odd Blu-ray film or physical game. If there is a big enough price difference, or the digital edition comes with more SSD space I might go with that, plus it looks better than the PS5 with the disc drive.
Definitely disc version.
A few years ago I mistakenly bought notebook without disc drive and that showed to be useless piece of crap.
@Sb2020 To be fair there a good chance game size may be smaller as there will be a massive reduction in repeat assets due to the ssd drive.
It's good that they're giving the option. However I am concerned about the trend of physical editions getting worse.
Disc version for me simply because I've got a big catalogue of physical media for movies/TV a lot of which are 4K now, when your getting to that level of quality on a big TV compression makes a difference.
Also considering what's been going off with TV and films being pulled, edited, lI think physical media is still important.
For games I'm all digital now and have been since 1st year of the PS3 days but I don't think censorship is going to be the same kind of problem and they'll just role out a patch if they want to edit it and the extra shelf space/lack of dusting is awesome and I've just mgot enough room for my PS3/PS2/PSOne discs.
There is also the potential that backwards compatibility will still be a big thing so if you've got physical discs of any generation it might be worth going for the disc version.
The disc less version is a great option though and for me would make an awesome secondary console or media station if you use a lot of streaming apps.
@sanderev I wasn't meaning the opposite, I was really just saying they could be thinking about how the data is obtained. For example, you go to the store, buy your game, take game home, place game disc/case on shelf, pop disc out of case, place in console disc drive. It all has to be done physically by a person in order to get your game data on the SSD/HDD, but if you don't have a disc drive then you can only get your data from a server through the network. That's what I meant, but I do agree that they should probably just call it disc-less to avoid confusion. It was just one alternative thought of how they could be thinking. Sorry for the confusion.
Disc drive forev...for as long as we have the option.
Willing to bet that even though a disc drive would really only add about 20 dollars to the price, Sony takes a bigger loss on it - say 50 to 100 - since the higher profit margins and lack of used games on the PS Store will allow them to make that cash back pretty quickly.
I buy blu rays and 4k blu rays, so will want the disc drive version
@sanderev Sorry, I just realised what you meant in your reply. What I was meaning was the naming of Digital vs Standard console naming and how they may have come to that conclusion of naming, not what you were talking about in regards to analogue. Sorry again for the confusion.
For me, considering possibly better price tag, digital is the way to go.
I've purchased discs before, but digital sales hooked me heavily and I don't bother buying physical no more.
Digital is faster, and most of the time - cheaper.
Also I'd not bother buying secon hand, reselling, renting etc. I like my games new and shiny. And latest version from the start.
And I am one of those customers that purchases solely digital. The disc drive on my PS4 Pro has never been used. I am extremely happy with this option.
I will need to ultimately buy storage expansion regardless of when I need to get a PS5, now I can choose an option where I pay slightly less at the cost of a feature I would never use anyway, and instead those costs can be transferred to pay for part of the expansion. The option with the drive is there for those who want it and that is great.
I'm going with disc version cos I like to physically own my Blu-ray movies and games. Plus don't fancy paying for 3-5 tv/movie subscriptions to watch a particluar timed movie movie. Freedom and all options thanks.
The digital only version is not for me. I like having the choice of whether to buy a physical or digital version of a game. I don't want to be tied down to only being able to buy a game through the Sony storefront.
The Digital version looks cleaner design wise (which leads me to believe this was the focal point in their design implementation), but I buy physical games far more than digital, so will never buy this. The SSD will need to be bigger to draw people in, and the price will have to be a lot less.
Good good, everybody get the drive version, so I got better chances to get the digital one without delays
If an article deserved a poll it was this one.
No, I’m not getting a digital edition. 160 PS4 disks in my library, need a way to play those on a PS5, whenever I get one.
Outside of annual sports games I haven't bought a physical game in years so I'm all in for this, appreciate them giving this option!
@tatsumi LMAO!
I will get the disk version, but the diskless version being cheaper may change my mind.
Haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but do we think next Gen games go up in price from $60 to $70? Sure, PSN sales are great, but release date sales are usually easier to find for discs.
How long after everyone buys discless PS5 and XSX do internet providers install data caps, if they haven't already?
I understand the appeal of all digital, kind of regretting my physical Animal Crossing purchase, but these modern games are so huge, TLOU2 is what 82GB, that I'm afraid ISPs might start making us pay more once we're all in. Yeah, we have to pay for internet anyway regardless of the price, but I do worry about tiered limited data caps. My ISP doesn't have a cap but I figure it's only a matter of time.
Though I'm good w/ being wrong.
Still too soon for me to be making decisions, need all the prices, specs, game release dates etc.
The games need to be a lot cheaper to get me to go all digital. I can sell, trade, let people borrow disc games, so that adds extra value. And heck the disc versions are usually cheaper after theyve been released for awhile. They've done better on sales in the PS store this gen, but it needs to improve a lot to get me to bite. Other than greed it makes no sense why they wouldnt pass the savings for shipping/packaging/distribution on to the digital purchaser.
Hi there gamers. For me, I want the extra functionality of the Blu-Ray drive, since I hprefer to buy physical games(I can get them cheaper at launch if I provide another game) And I still watch my own Blue-ray movies. Plus, I like boxed games, especially steelbook versions and such. Looking at you Last of Us part 2. Cheers and happy gaming to us all
@sanderev they’ve been called digital sales and physical sales for years. Not analog. Sony has chosen the right name.
@azoreseuropa speak for yourself. If digital is not your thing, dont get it. Ill be getting the digital edition as ive been all digital for years now anyway. Im sure many others will too. Glad you’re not running things lol.
@Greenfisted LOL. I am not running things at all.
I grew up with physical boxes when I was kid. I am stick with it even today. No digital for me. It doesn't mean anything. I got a feeling that digital edition is going to be downfall just like Google Stadia. I could be wrong.
By the way, I respect you and if it is your thing then go and get it. I will be happy you did because you are supporting Sony so am I with Standard Edition. No problem.
@azoreseuropa i grew up with physical copies too. Most of us did. I just prefer digital now. Its nice that sony is giving us the option. I just found your “BAN DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE! ITS STUPID!” comment ridiculous. Im sure you weren't serious.
Sony is smart... if most of the people buy digital version... this will will be the last generation with disk.. finally
@thiagoauler Hope not. Nothing is more irritating than downloading game for hours.
@djlard I understand your point.. but tell Me one game that never received an update!!! It’s inevitable... and download only era is nearer than ever!
Secondly, nowadays a disc is usually useless.. it’s just a license check.
Thirdly... some games you buy physically, but you only get a download code inside.
@djlard Even if I have opted for download only years ago... the download process is really a pain (I admit that)
On the other hand, it’s really difficult to find all the cool games physically most of times.
Disk version for me till digital drop in price its a no go i will not pay it when i can always buy physical 10 to 15 pounds cheeper well done sony for doing this choice is always great
@thiagoauler Yes it is true, that since internet came wide spread, programers stopped "care" of 100% working programs, and rather rush unpolished versions. And yes, it is easier and cheaper to put it on net rather than disc. But still UHD mechanic is way faster than common speed of download in terms of installing. And SSD can easily proces both installing and downloading patch simultaneously. And cherry on a pie, it is still more exciting when your christmas or birthday present is beautiful case with shining disc, than ordinary bill with bunch of letters and numbers. ☺️
GameStop, Limited Run killer.
This one will fail badly in Japan, the country that still embraced physical games.
@Greenfisted Yeah but..Without a disc drive people who watch movies will need a separate drive so why bother making a all digital system it's already digital by the games you put on board which requires download when disc is in drive.
I'll be sticking with the regular edition, as long as the Disc Drive doesn't malfunction.
My PS4 Pro is concernably reading my games ALOT, despite officials stating that should be super rare because of the entire games being installed on the HDD/SSD.
@Marios-love-child lmao sell them where?? Gamestop? Please will get like $2. And physicals are never cheaper due to tax. $59.99 on digital is exactly that while in store it’ll round to between $63-$65(depending on where u live). Only reason to get physical is for collector editions. No one is buying dvds or CDs anymore everything is streamed. Games are no exception
@Latex physical is not cheaper
@AeroSaiyan
I'm in the UK so the price you see on the box is the price you pay. And I can assure you you can walk into pretty much any store here and buy a game for less than you would on the ps store (granted the ps store does have sales from time to time but in general physical is always cheaper)
As an example I bought Red Dead 2 and paid about £45 for it. For whatever reason I didn't like the game so traded it in and got £35 back for it.
Had I bought it digitally I'd have been stuck with it and effectively have lost all of my money.
Thats very strange as the last of us 2 is £55 pounds on the ps store now . the deluxe is £65 pounds . Google the game on shopping cheapest place shop to net is £48.48 my pre order limited edition steelbook £52 pounds .this is one game plenty on there you can get cheeper if you shop around even some in sale you can get cheeper so sorry physical is cheeper . Dont know how you can tell me there not . Maybe where you shop thay are please tell all where you get your digital games from i may be tempted to buy
@Marios-love-child
Good point i could trade my game aswell when completed get at least £35
I live in the uk too
Choice is good. My choice is physical. I never sell my games I collect them. I have also been looking forward to the PS5 4K blue-ray drive for movies.
@Marios-love-child sheesh yea the UK very different lol. Here tax kills, and there’s no tax on PSN store so it’s typically less . Plus no sales really until like Black Friday. PSN usually has more sales. Guess it’s time to move lol
@AeroSaiyan
thats kinda crap . Black friday over here is crap that cannot be sold in the year . But always some where having a sale in the uk so its fine . Think i stay where i am lol
@Latex oh i meant for me it’s time to move lol
@azoreseuropa movies also have digital version, as im sure you know. Thats how i watch them. Im getting the digital edition, as are most of my gaming friends. Thats why they would “bother to make a digital edition”. I love that i have the option.
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