However, he also understands a physical disc has become a kind of “metaphor” for owning a game. “I really understand that mentality… but nobody thinks [physical media] is necessary for a networked device like a smartphone, for example, because people feel that they will keep their content. So it’s a mentality.”
Kutaragi continued by highlighting how Sony may not just see PlayStation consoles as games systems anymore, but as a “content terminal”. On the topic, he finished: “Maybe that’s how those people are thinking. But this has caused some friction with game enthusiasts.”
While the reaction isn’t nearly as intense as it was when Sony announced it would be ditching discs, its social media posts continue to attract criticism over the move, with the “No Disc, No Buy” slogan often seen in responses. A recent investigation found almost half of the accounts making these posts to be fake, but there’s still a very real frustration amongst PlayStation fans as a result of the decision.
Sony has shown absolutely no public hint of reversing the move, however.
[source videogameschronicle.com]