June 1st, 2012
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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that sources close to Sony say the company did consider making the PlayStation 4 a download-only console, but ultimately decided against it due to Internet connections being “too inconsistent around the world”.
“Because game files are large, customers in countries where Internet connections are relatively slow would be hobbled by a requirement to download games.”, the report states. WSJ’s sources also say Sony is planning for a 2013 release for the PS4. If true, this 2013 date matches up with the first PlayStation 4, or “Orbis” report from Kotaku a few months back — Holiday 2013.
Apparently, and for the same concerns (access to Internet bandwidth), Microsoft is also planning on including an optical disc drive in the Next Xbox, according to the source. This would go against MCV’s report back in March that claimed the successor to the 360 wouldn’t include a disc drive.
With E3 kicking off next week, we’re sure to hear more about….actually no, we probably won’t hear a damn thing about either console at this E3, but the speculation sure is interesting. We are definitely hoping this report ends up being true, and can continue adding more shelves to our entertainment areas for a new generation of games to sit on. How about you, do you like collections? Or would you be happy to see a disc-less console? Let us know below.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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maybe back to cartridge?
I want cartridges back , really , harded to get copied , more durable , fancier ,and I LOVED NON-LOADING GAMING .
I think for the next generation, we should switch to flash memory, i.e. SD cards. We’re at the point where a 16GB flash card costs like ten to fifteen bucks in itself. Why not take advantage of the fact that the I/O speed of a flash media bus trumps a disc drive and go that route for the next generation? I mean the 3DS and Vita do it, and they can output some pretty good visuals with decent loading times. Why not the next gen consoles?
Sure. I wanna see how you would put the 38GB of FF XIII into a flash card. Not to mention that the cheap ones read at 2-4MB/sec, which makes the BR drive faster. We are not talking about handhelds here, we are talking about full AAA games for consoles. The next gen may even double those file sizes.
The Blu Ray discs are 10-50 times cheaper than Flash memory. Also the new console may make use of speedy 4x or 8x ones. FF XIII streams already directly from the BR disk. Thus the BR drive is a must. Sony and MS would be fools not to adopt it.
Sony and MS would be stupid to force always online especially when not everyone has access to teh internet. Lets hope this report is true cause I may consider not getting teh next gen if they do try and force an always on DRM to consoles. Thats the same reason I wont buy Diablo 3 coz I still enjoy playing single player.
@EPICGAMER
+1
I hope Diablo 3 gets cracked somehow.
Just the thought puts a smile on my face.
Rumor: Orbis and Durango likley to run on electricity..
….AND PLAY GAMES TOO!
Nope,that wouldn’t be nice.There are a lot of people who won’t buy it because of the disc-less console.its very important that you can go to a shop and buy games, a lot of people are not going to be able to download games because of the slow internet.That will ruin everything.
just another way of microsoft stealing from sony, it’s not enough they stole the idea of a console, no they must steal ps3 spottlight so they can get more money and provoke sayings like ps3 is not as famous as ps2
Codename: Phoenix
16 core processor (4Ghz per core)
8Gb DDR-4 memory
2Tb Flash SSD
Flash Cartridge slot for game cartridges
Radeon 8K graphic card with internal 4Gb memory
Region free console
3D Support with Toshiba Cevo -engine or other 3D without glasses
Dolby Digital, THX, DTS, Stereo, 5.1, 7.1. 10.1
Games with Flash cartridge and OnLIve, Gaikai, Steam or other.
I wish someday consoles could be like this
If this is true, I’m very happy with it? I find the download-only idea really bad. Mainly because that would mean games could be only bought on the marketplace which has very steep prices. I always preferred discs. Nothing beats finding a fairly new game at a bargain price online