Sony is not struggling to sell PS5 consoles this year, as it’s been breaking records all over the world since the hardware became more readily available. It’s conspicuous, then, that the traditional disc-based unit is actually on sale in some major European territories, including Spain and Portugal. And this discount isn’t a small one either: it’s €100, meaning you can currently get the Blu-ray version of the console for around the same price as its digital counterpart.
While the sale seems pretty specific to certain countries, the big question here is why would PlayStation reduce the price of a very popular product? Many believe that it’s related to the rumoured detachable disc drive model that’s been a strong source of speculation all year, and is apparently scheduled to launch in September. It does make some degree of sense that the Japanese giant would look to clear out old stock before introducing the new model.
The unit with a detachable disc drive will attempt to unify Sony’s manufacturing process, allowing it to produce both flavours of its new-gen console on the same production line. Furthermore, it promises to provide consumers with more flexibility, as those who choose to purchase a system without a disc drive will still be able to pick one up separately later down the line. Thus, it seems like a smart step for the platform holder in this increasingly digital age.
It’s unlikely the company will announce the hardware revision until right before its release date, as it won’t want to temporarily impede sales over the summer. These discounts across Europe do suggest something is afoot, however, and may become more widespread as we lurch closer to the crucial holiday season.
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[source amazon.es, via gamingreplay.com, resetera.com]
Comments 70
Makes business sense and they’ll want people buying the digital version first pushing them away from physical media. Then if they want disc, just buy the add on.
If a refreshed model indeed gets released, it will be the first genuine surprise to me in how current generation is untangling.. Sony would be the only console holder actually pushing new hardware mid-gen, even if it is not a performance upgrade.
@Cikajovazmaj It does make sense, though. I think not having to manufacture two different models will be more efficient for them, and like I said in the article it gives the consumer more flexibility.
It's also going to look like a "price drop", too, because they'll start pushing the non-disc version harder.
"Furthermore, it promises to provide consumers with more flexibility, as those who choose to purchase a system without a disc drive will still be able to pick one up separately later down the line"
That doesn't make sense to me... Why wouldnt you just buy the disc drive version in the first place?
I can see them ditching the built in Disc Drive version of the PS5 and selling an 'official' DD you can plug in if you want 'Physical'.
Digital sales are increasing and now the most popular way to purchase games. Discs are only printed for a select group of 'next' gen gamers - PS5 Disc and Series X. PC, Series S and PS5 Digital owners won't buy Physical. Even those with Disc drives are increasingly buying Digitally.
Discs these days are pretty useless. They have the worst often Beta version of a Game with patches and fixes planned for Day 1 - let alone all the patches, content etc they add after launch. That's assuming you even get the 'game' on Disc - often its 'some' content but needs to be connected to the internet to download the rest so you may not be able to 'play' if/when consoles get 'turned off' from Online services...
Therefore its mostly for the Back Compat with older games you didn't buy Digitally. Discs are almost obsolete apart from for Collectors and those still 'clinging' on to the Physical, that option to 'sell' or trade-in but the majority are purchasing Digitally now and with increasing numbers buying Hardware without DD's too (PS5, Series S and even PC's don't often have DD's these days), Physical is likely to drop lower and could eventually disappear altogether from 'modern' gaming.
That's a pretty major discount, and will likely lead to another sales burst if they can keep stock coming, even with very few first party games this year.
@Snake_V5 I mean, I'm sure most people will. But if you did get the digital version, your only current upgrade path is to buy an entirely new console.
With this setup, if you changed your mind later, you'd only need to buy the disc drive add-on. So it does give you more flexibility.
But of course, you're right, most people will just get the bundle if they want the disc drive.
@get2sammyb completely agreed, it makes perfect sense. Going forward, it probably sets the competition between full PS5 400/450 USD vs more expensive Series X console, while at the same time making cost reductions in the manufacturing process.
I'm just not used to these companies making 100% logical decisions, that's all
BAMozzy wrote:
On the one hand perhaps. On the other it gives us some ownership and choice. I can lend or exchange a game with a friend or family member. Or sell it if I don't like the game or have finished and know I won't be coming back.
Considering Sony's awful policy on Digital refunds, physical discs give us more protection to take risks when buying games you may be on the fence about. Ultimately it means I risk buying more games from a wider range.
Maybe it's because of safety protocols or verification keys or something, but why did they redesign the whole system and not just release a USB blu Ray drive and discontinue the disc version, so the only option was to buy a digital ps5 and a USB disc drive if you wanted one. Sounds like a much simpler solution
@get2sammyb Well I think it's obvious by this that it will be the standard with the PS6. Detachable disc drive and also one that's all digital.
Still waiting for that price drop in UK. £450 didn't look appealing to me, let alone the £480 it costs at present.
Does seem bizarre to have a price-drop now, but I won't complain.
@BAMozzy Those sales figures the big companies push out about digital sales are very deceptive and not entirely as you think. Yes the majority of sales are digital.. But.. The vast majority of numbers sold are very inexpensive games, 3 dollars, 5, 15.. People are still buying blu-rays when it comes to expensive games and it's still the majority of the market in that case (AAA games)
@themightyant I know there are some advantages to Physical but it still doesn't change the fact that whats on those Discs themselves are Pretty Useless.
Even if they supplied ALL the Content, and was completely playable without requiring any downloads, it still needs to be installed to internal Storage to 'run'. The Disc itself is just the Licence, the 'key' to access the software installed on your internal Storage. However, rarely do you get a game you can 'play' without major issues without needing to download content, patches/fixes etc.
It doesn't really matter if you download the Software or install it from a Disc, its just a 'delivery' method to get the Software onto your Hardware.
I don't disagree with your points either. I prefer to buy Physical myself on Sony Playstation specifically and would have said the same thing about Xbox 4-5yrs ago, but as I return to PC gaming, buying Digital has been beneficial - Games I bought on 360/XB1 digitally, available to download on Series X and in some cases, PC too thanks to 'Play Anywhere'. I buy FH5 digitally, I get the game on ANY PC or Xbox hardware and the 'version' for the hardware - don't need to buy it again on PC or pay £10 to 'upgrade' the last gen to a new gen version. Its changed my mind on Digital - but I still prefer Physical on Playstation for the reasons you give. With Xbox, I don't 'need' to worry about not liking a game as I can often play it first on Game Pass and wait until its at a price I am happy to pay - especially with Game Pass Discounts - so less 'risk'. I didn't waste money on Redfall for example to worry about not liking it, not getting my 'moneys' worth, not 'finishing' or wanting to play, not worry about committing money and then trying to recuperate through selling/trade in...
@Sakai If this new slim has a detachable drive the board for the drive will be inbuilt onto the motherboard. For security the pcb is tied "married" to the PS5, that wont change so the drive will be bare mechanical parts and the circuitry for it will be on all slims. How much money are they going to save in a motor, laser and some plastic gears.. not much.. maybe 10 bucks. But I guess shipping and so on all adds up.
That's huge. Would deter many from going out and buying a Series console when the price difference is not that much and there's no inferior console.
I can see Series S getting dropped soon
@BAMozzy It's a shame most games are unfinished so to speak on the pressed disc these, but you can still complete 100% of them other than the handful that require online saves without a patch.. often with bugs and crashes sure.. But they do work. But most importantly you can sell them, play them after the store closes and so on. The playstation store has zero point zero chance of still offering those games in 100 years (the expected minimum lifespan of blurays) so yeah.. I'm on the discs. Now there wont be MANY PS5s still running in 100 years.. But there will be enough for the few people that care..
@theMEGAniggle I'm actually amazed anyone has bought the S when the PS5 digital is around for not much more money.. But yes the PS5 slim should completely kill that machine off. It'll probably price match the series S and is on a whole other level of performance.
I bought the ps5 bundled with ff16 (on the day of launch) for cheaper than the ps5 sold by itself, thanks to this offer!
I can confirm, the disc drive version is 100€ cheaper than usual where I'm from, just 40€ more than the digital console.
@BAMozzy
With respect, discs are far from obsolete. This (https://orbispatches.com/) archive hosts all of the official game updates, patches and missing data from physical versions meaning that in the future when the servers go offline you can install them by obtaining them from places like here.
I just wish more people knew about it. I personally have already backed up every current patch for every physical game I own for the future when we inevitably get screwed.
They are also building an archive for the PS5. It's completely legal and a safeguard for physical buyers.
@elfoam I know that AAA games that get a Physical release don't sell as many Digital games as the overall average includes games that are ONLY digital.
But look at FF16 - over 56% bought Digitally - meaning less than 44% bought Physical. Assuming that PS5 digital and Disk Drive models sold 'equally' well, you could say that half had no choice but to buy Digitally anyway but this is a game that ONLY released on PS5. If it released on Xbox and PC too, the percentage of Digital purchase would be 'significantly' higher as PC and Series S is 'digital' Only and Xbox owners in general embrace Digital more - it could be more like 80% Digital on Xbox.
@NinjaNicky Read my post. It was in reference to 'modern' games that releasing on modern Consoles - not Cartridges with the Game running from that so you can just 'plug and play'. Since the PS4/XB1 era, Discs have become less useful - its just a 'delivery' method for the Software as it has to be 'installed' to internal Storage to Run. Its not running from the Disc, the disc is just for the Licence - which is what you 'sell'.
You can't play a game with the Software fully installed on a PS/XB without the Disc in the drive to verify you still 'own' the Licence to play. Sell the disc, the game is 'still' installed but 'useless' without the Disc/licence.
Given how much they managed to shrink the boards in the current revision the new model might be smaller and cheaper as Sony pass the cost savings onto consumers.
I also wonder if they would release ‘PSFour’ to go alongside it?
It's welcoming to see a price cut. Keeping it in perspective - this is only a €50 cut on the original price. Also I think MS have announced recently that they are increasing the price of series X by €50. So Sony have delivered a nice kick in the teeth to MS 😊. It might kick off a price war 😂
I think it'll be next year before we see the slim version though.
@BAMozzy I 100% agree. The only think physical has as an advantage it the sense of "ownership". You can sell or gift it etc. Most of the times a disk game is unplayable in an offline system which is one of the points of "videogame preservation".
The examples are countless. I have three PS4 physical copies of FF15 and not a single one has all the content in. The PS4 version of Callisto Procotol is full of bugs and the game plays in slow motion (!), Sonic Origins lacks the Plus content which is offered via ... a code, FF16 has a bug that shuts down the console.
As for the topic should I get a second PS5 for 450€ or wait for the new model? Surely though if I have bought my first PS5 with FF16 only to have a new model only one month later would anger me.
@GADG3Tx87 @elfoam They are still pretty 'useless'. Its still just a 'delivery' system - like Downloading - to get the 'software' installed on your Hardware. You don't play from the Disc Drive, the DD is only required to deliver the Software to your internal Storage - just like Downloading does...
The difference comes with the License - the bit you actually 'own'. You purchase a 'Licence' to access the Software and Play those games, you don't OWN the software. With Physical, you get a 'general' licence embedded in the disc that must be in the DD to check you own that Licence to access the Software. Yes you can sell, trade or lend that disc to a friend, but even though the Game is 'installed' on your Hardware, you cannot play without the Disc.
With Digital, you get a Licence too - however this is 'locked' to your account so you can download the Software as many times as you want/require, never need to put Discs in your DD, just sign into your Account and you can play - because those 'licences' you bought are 'locked' to your account.
Sub services (PS+/Gold/Game Pass etc) have 'conditional' Licences - such as you must remain Subscribed, the Game must be added when available or the game must be in that service - there are Conditions to be met to allow you to access 'Software' installed on your internal Storage.
The Disc is 'pretty' useless in 'gaming' terms as its only used to 'deliver' Software (like Downloading) to your Hardware (and its often older versions if not incomplete with the rest requiring downloading anyway) and then to 'verify' you still own the Disc, therefore still 'own' a valid Licence to keep playing. You are NOT playing from the Disc!!
@Snake_V5 Plenty of us don't use physical (and increasing every year) so it makes perfect sense. Keep the drive as an add-on for the minority for the rest of this gen. Then, in all likelihood, digital only for PS6.
@elfoam "maybe 10 bucks"
I know they are paying wholesale bulk for the drives, but I wouldn't be surprised if the licensing fees alone for dvd, blu ray and ultra aren't $10 per unit, or close to it. I've never seen a cheap 4k disc drive, not even a Chinese knockoff brand on Amazon, for less than $100.
So you add up the fees, the material, the dual manufacturing process, I wouldn't be surprised if it's double that. And if they're planning on selling say another 50 mil PS5, a savings of even $20 each is $100 million total. A number that big and round probably gets somebody a million dollar bonus.🤑
@BAMozzy
As I just said above this isn't about licencing. In most cases most of the game data is on the disc minus any day one or future patches. That's where the archive above comes in. I have obtained the patches and missing data from my discs.
There are two ways to do it.
One, connect to their custom DNS in your console connection settings and the archive will patch your installed physical game. No different than doing so from Sony's servers. Or,
Two. They can be installed offline via USB by backing up the files from the archive.
All I'm saying here is physical buyers who know about this method are fine forever. My post has nothing to do with the "ownership" or "licence". Because when the time comes that won't matter anyway.
Not sure if you're not sure what I mean. Basically. Install my disc game. Insert a USB drive or enter a DNS. Then it will download everything that was ever missing up to date and I can play if we are no longer able to connect to Sony services. That's what it does.
@belmont There are some advantages to the Consumer - such as the ability to sell for example, trade in and lend to friends, but even in the case of preservation, its not worth it these days.
The game is 'pre-release' code on Disc - if its all on disc in the first place. It still needs to be installed on Hardware to run, you can't play 'direct' from Disc anymore. Its not worth preserving the 'earliest' code - especially not with 'modern' games that get patched and more content, more features etc added.
Would anyone want to buy Cyberpunk 2077, Gotham Knights, Jedi Survivor etc etc if they couldn't connect to the internet? Those 'disks' are useless in 'gaming' terms - you need internet access to make them playable and then the 'Disk' is only used to verify you have a valid licence to play...
@theMEGAniggle MS have recently announced a black 1TB Series S due later this year.
@Luigia
I never understood that line of thinking. If they want to push the digital, they should continue making the current digital edition and reduce the supply of disc edition.
The new digital edition can be eradicated entirely by attaching a drive any time; digital models will be given the option to practically be extinct with the new model. Whereas with the current digital edition, you're stuck with digital forever.
So I think this detachable model is entirely about streamlining the manufacturing pipeline.
Oof... this when Xbox is increasing the price.
Hrmm isn't this just the usual price drop in the summer tactic to maintain demand? It goes something along the lines of... Summer is sunny so people play outside more, oh no, they aren't playing videogames or buying playstations... here's 100 off to tempt you back inside. Does not mean a new hardware iteration is coming anytime soon.
I don't know but i think they might wanna push PSplus subscriptions indirectly with digitalPS5 console. So it seems. As much as I am a fan of physical media, they are really becoming more and more obsolete (in case of PS5 at least). Is it a high-end 4k BD player? I don't think so. Used games are cheaper, no doubt...but they get cheaper after a LONG time after release...big chance hardly anyone is interested in them by that time. Only time will tell what the average consumer will prefer. I hope the value at Playstation will stay with the "content", not the technical nuances.
@bkeswick if they want people to buy digital... they'd stop making a physical console!
They clearly DO want people to buy physical, because they DO make a physical console.
Why do they want people to buy physical? Well, they need to keep their retail partners happy, don't they? GAME, Amazon, Target etc. are still way too far off the pace to cope with digital only.
currently each PlayStation disc drive has a logic board that is married to each individual motherboard. so this change is no small undertaking and will require redesign of mother board and disc drive
It could be. But Sony has lost an insane amount of market share to Nintendo. This may simply be a play to get that back. They have only recently repaired supply issues. I do not think they would immediately go into a new SKU once they finally repaired a problem.
This is a fire sale. Selling consoles is a loss leader. Games are where the money is - and Sony is failing miserably this gen.
@BAMozzy There are plenty of other benefits to physical, and some to digital. Pros and cons to each. I wouldn't call either 'pretty much useless', though I take some of your points.
Also worth bearing in mind many have still have slow internet, for some it's even metered/capped. The difference between downloading all 98GB (ish) for Horizon Forbidden West or just 525MB for the Day 1 patch is huge for some. Other games are more severe, but it's worth realising not every one or territory has good internet.
@GADG3Tx87 Worth noting that Orbis (and Prospero) patches don't host ANY game or patch data, and claim they never will. (read the footer at the bottom of every page) They link to the PlayStation servers themselves for patches so would rely on Sony still hosting these. Still good services.
I can not remember all my PS4 and PS5 games with the Disc versions in a bookshelf I can look over to see them all. I love the art on the cases even more so the many steel books cases i have.
I left PC gaming because of it all digital change. I will leave PlayStation the day it changes to ALL digital.
@themightyant
Except, they do. I've already downloaded the .pkg files from their website and stored them on an external drive for all the games I own. They're hosted in multiple 4GB .pkg increments that then had to be recompiled into a single file using a third-party program. Then, using custom firmware I can install those files manually offline via the USB drive using a homebrew application called pkg installer which will then install the patch version I downloaded and any missing data.
Some of the updates are huge as you know so required multiple parts of the increments to recompile.
There are several videos on YouTube detailing how to do it and fully tested.
I've only done that for future proofing though. Just in case.
I have almost all of my PS4 games on a 8Tb external HDD. That includes all the patches installed to the games. I have to use my disc to play them.
@Smiffy01 I saw, and its £300. I'd rather go out with my money and buy this with a minimal price difference and big boost in performance if I had to choose
@theMEGAniggle Yup totally, someone at Microsoft doesnt think so though lol.
@GADG3Tx87 The point is, when you click the link it downloads them from SONY's servers, they only supply a LINK to the files on Sony's servers they don't host the .PKG files themselves.
@themightyant
I see. Didn't realise that. Either way I already have them safely on a drive for offline personal use so I've ensured I'm fine for the future. And I'm sure there will be other places that will host them eventually outside of Sony servers when it becomes known the will shut them down. Can't say too much here on that kind of method of course but I'm sure the community will see us right one way or another.
@Smiffy01 my reaction when things like this happen is always maybe they know something we don't because that's puzzling
Drop the series s and put all your efforts into one console surely
Well, let's hope that the redesign is less of an eyesore than the current tubs o' lard!
Also, let's hope that they take the opportunity to introduce some PS4-esque friendly control features as, three years later, Orbis >> Prospero.
@theMEGAniggle Aye, they shouldve just done a discless series x.
@Cikajovazmaj Sony have always released a least one slightly revised model?
@themightyant There are 'pros & cons' to both Physical/Digital options but they are BOTH just a 'delivery' method of getting the Software 'installed' onto the Console.
Regardless of those 'Pros/Cons' - which I do Appreciate BTW so I don't need people telling me, you are NOT playing games from that Disc and its ONLY function after you've gone through the 'installation' process is to verify you still own a 'valid' licence to play the installed software whereas with Digital, the License is 'locked' to your account so you need to sign in to verify.
The 'Software' on disc is useless - you can't run the game from it, its often out-dated and/or incomplete and requires 'online' access to update and/or add the rest of the missing content. Even if 'complete', it still needs to be installed on your internal storage to play so its served the same purpose of delivering the Software to the Hardware - like Downloading does. The differences mostly relate to the License - you can sell a 'General' License but need the Disc in the Drive to play, you can't sell a Locked digital licence, but don't need the Disc in the drive and always get the 'latest' version too.
It maybe a better 'delivery' system for some people - particularly those on Slow or metered/limited internet connections - but its still just a method of 'delivery'. It could literally just have the 'Licence' on the disc these days with a link to 'download' the Software to install the 'latest' Software version because Games don't 'run' from Disc and its just a 'delivery' method.
I know the Pros/Cons for both. Some may 'prefer' to purchase Discs for whatever reasons they have, but other than it holds the 'License' to allow you to play the Game, you aren't using the 'disc' to play games, just verify you still have a License to play.
Digital provides a 'Locked' License to your account so you don't need to put the Disc in the drive but Physical has a 'General' License so ANYONE with that Disc can play. Its a bit like Downloading 'Software' on PC and requiring you to purchase a License key to access it. Downloading or installing to internal storage is just a 'delivery' method, the License is what you 'own' to access the Software.
Both ultimately mean that you can play the game on the Hardware you bought it for - and in some cases, maybe new hardware too if they support BC. Some games may well be playable in 30yrs time on 'Physical' but many won't too - I doubt Destiny would be for example but you'll still need to install them to internal storage to play, you can't play 'direct' from disc.
@Smiffy01 Maybe they will in the future - but I still prefer to have a Disc Drive for Blurays/DVDs and the 'option' to buy Physical versions of games in sales etc.
I don't want to be 'locked' to Digital only purchases - not without more Digital storefronts on these platforms to bring 'competition' in pricing. Digital should be 'much' cheaper these days as they don't have all the costs involved in manufacturing and shipping physical, not losing as much 'sales' to the used market etc. With 'fewer' Physical copies sold, even fewer end up on the 'used' market so people have less 'choice' but to buy their own copy...
I prefer 'Physical' - especially on Playstation - but I will buy Digital if the price is right and/or has other 'benefits' - like Play Anywhere and being able to access my 'Library'. All those PS+ digital freebies from PS4 being instantly ready to download/install on my PS5 as soon as I had signed in. All my Digital play anywhere games on Xbox available to play on my PC/RoG Ally - more 'useful' than the Disc version and Discs 'mess' with Quick Resume too...
While a discount is all well and good, it’s funny how they’ve only discounted the standard console-only package while leaving all game-related bundles at the old prices - this means that if anyone were to buy the God of War Ragnarok bundle today, the “bundled” game (which I believe is a code only) ends up costing €150.
For reference, the standard God of War PS5 disc version usually costs €80 and it’s frequently (and currently) discounted at €60.
@BAMozzy Good points, ive mitigated my all digital purchases by using the Turkish psn store as the prices are less than half of the UK store even for day 1 or pre orders, for example i preordered Hot Wheels Unleaahed 2 Ultimate Edition (which contains 2 season passes and extras) for £30.
I really hope sony release smaller playstation 5 mini with horizontal design like psone
I will trade in if it becomes smaller. I traded PS4 twice with Game to get 1TB Slim and then pro with a minimal fee. I am at total digital camp since the early PS4 days as I can share with my brother living abroad.
@bkeswick it’s gonna be interesting seeing how many people buy the detachable disc drive as people will probably just wanna save money and go fully digital, especially if installing the disc drive requires effort (screws).
Will happily trade in my disc version for this new one if true. Wish I would've gotten 2 digital ones at the beginning and save 100 bucks but water under the bridge now. And though the design has grown on me slightly, hopefully they go with something boring this time around
@get2sammyb Yes so they can pocket even more money. Next cut out the middleman.
Removed - inappropriate
@mrbone Yep, I share with a friend on other side of country. Good luck to those trying to do that trick with discs.
@Smiffy01 Absolutely, same here. Final Fantasy XVI cost me £26.
@Luigia
In any case, Sony said years ago that they will just let the users decide and they will go with whatever outcome.
If they wanted to push digital, they wouldn't have bothered making the new detachable model as the current method would be more effective at pushing people into digital.
If Sony are smart, which I am sure they are, they will only manufacture 40% of the disc drives vs the number of new digital slim consoles (with the sealed disc drive port). They can scrap the old digital and discs drive versions, sell the console as digital by default and then really push hard on digital. Disc drive could also be £80 so if someone does buy one Sony could get as much money if not more vs the old console.
@Sakai because they redesign the console halfway through every generation
It comes full circle, first Nintendo say no to a CD attachment from Sony, then 5 generations later they get to make their own
@bkeswick people are lazy and if detachable costs too much, they’ll slip into Digital without even making a decision.
@Luigia I get that's a possibility, but my point was, a manufacturer wouldn't add a drive option and count on people's laziness when the current model achieves the same (or arguably better) without the risk.
So the main purpose is something else. It's rather obvious to me that the point of re-modelling is to have 1 production pipeline for both models.
@bkeswick I’d agree 👍🏻
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