Could the next xbox have no optical drive?

[ccgr]

http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012 ... disc-drive

[Nate DaZombie]

I doubt they'll go full digital. If they do it, people will buy the PS4, and if Sony does it, people will just buy a new computer. I wouldn't mind cartridges though.

[Deepfreeze32]

I seriously doubt that next-gen consoles are going to go fully digital. There's a strong chance that Apple's MacBook Pro line will go towards no optical drive, but even that's a bit far out. Personally, I like having an optical drive around, just in case. I still have a floppy drive (Though not in my computer, currently) for those old DOS games I have.

I don't doubt that eventually the medium will shift to some form of digital distribution-only method. But I don't think next gen is when it will happen.

If they do it, people will buy the PS4, and if Sony does it, people will just buy a new computer.

Sony's already tried this. The PSPGo was digital-only, and it didn't do so well.

[Nate DaZombie]

If they do it, people will buy the PS4, and if Sony does it, people will just buy a new computer.

Sony's already tried this. The PSPGo was digital-only, and it didn't do so well.

That's why I don't think they'll do it. I mean, do you know anyone who wants/wanted a PSPGo? I don't.

[ccgr]

That's why I kept my PSP so I can rip UMDs for Jay's go to play them

[Firebolt13]

We may as well go buy USB `s put hacked games on them and play like that because with out optical drives there is absolutely no way to stop piracy and all game company's may as well go post there games on a blog for download.

[cytochrome]

I find it strange that this is my second post lol... but it just caught my attention. I'd like to say that Microsoft will probably not be giving up the optical disc drives... If any console is going to go digital, it's probably PlayStation or Nintendo

[Blue]

I doubt they'll go full digital. If they do it, people will buy the PS4, and if Sony does it, people will just buy a new computer. I wouldn't mind cartridges though.

There's a rumor that the PS4 will use serial keys, in order to stop used games.

I guess Nintendo will be winning, again. Or people will finally move onto the PC.

EDIT - or social media/smartphone gaming will kill the gaming industry as we know it.

[ArcticFox]

Microsoft seems like the one most likely to be the first. I think they'd probably like to do it with the next gen, but I don't know if they will. Over the last few years Microsoft has been leading the charge in trying to push the all-download approach.

They'd all certainly like to do it. That would destroy the used game market and force gamers to buy a brand new copy of the game, right from the distributor, if they want to play.

[Nate DaZombie]

Microsoft seems like the one most likely to be the first. I think they'd probably like to do it with the next gen, but I don't know if they will. Over the last few years Microsoft has been leading the charge in trying to push the all-download approach.

They'd all certainly like to do it. That would destroy the used game market and force gamers to buy a brand new copy of the game, right from the distributor, if they want to play.

I know they WANT to, but WILL they? Think about the PSPGo; that thing was like a second Virtual Boy. If the any one of the big three (or all of them) switch to digital only, consumers will just switch to something better. Microsoft does it, and will people flock to Sony; Sony does it, and everyone goes to Nintendo. And if Nintendo does it, then everybody gets a new computer instead.

The real problem is how much they're charging us for games. We pay $60 dollars because we can sell them afterwards. People who own computers can get them at nearly half the price if they wait for sale. Lower the price of games, and everybody wins.

[Blue]

I know they WANT to, but WILL they?

Keep in mind you're talking about a company who forces you to pay 60 dollars a year to use a similar service available on other platforms for free, with ads still scattered around the dashboard (This could be outdated info, though).

Not saying Sony isn't money hungry either. Sony has made some horrible decisions in the past, and it seems like they're planning to implement even worse ideas in the future.

The real problem is how much they're charging us for games. We pay $60 dollars because we can sell them afterwards. People who own computers can get them at nearly half the price if they wait for sale. Lower the price of games, and everybody wins.

As long as there is an EA and an Activision, you better bet the price of games will stay the same. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they'll be even higher. It's very easy to bump the price when a new console gets released, because oblivious people will think it's worth purchasing since "the graphics are so much better".

The only way to combat this is by keeping your money in your wallet. When a new console generation begins, it's smart to leave your inner fanboy and think,"which company is offering the best service for someone like me?". I'm sure everyone already knows that, though.

[blacksinow]

I am visually impaired, so I am all too acustomed to big companies doing things like this. Take mobility aids like the sonic cane for example, it's for a special group of people and thus they feel that they must charge an enormous price for it. It is no different then charging extra for a video game and charging not so much for the pc. But microsoft, being the special people that they are, I wouldn't be suprised if the new xbox doesn't have a disc drive or anything of the sort... even if they've been proven to fail.

And incidentally, I know someone who does own a PSP Go. Now they have a Vita.

[JOJ650s]

And incidentally, I know someone who does own a PSP Go. Now they have a Vita.

Oh, that just reminded me that in order to play PSP games on the Vita you have to re-buy a digital copy.
(Which pretty much would make trade in PSP to upgrade to Vita deals pointless.)

[ccgr]

many are still not working yet but you don't have to re-buy them

[JOJ650s]

many are still not working yet but you don't have to re-buy them

Oh, I guess what I heard was wrong then.
(I guess I should have noted I don't actually own a Vita.)