OPINION : Sony has revealed an all - new figure for thePS5 , with a more svelte design seeing fans on the side name the revamped console the PS5 Slim .
Sony claims it has reduced the size of the original PS5 by 30 % , with a tighter casing and narrow-minded aim . It ’s an telling effort , while seemingly maintaining the same level of cooling to prevent the fan from going into overdrive as they did on thePS4 .
But the most interesting aspect about the PS5 Slim is what Sony has done with the disc private road . Rather than physically integrating it into the aim of the PS5 , Sony has alternatively made it a modular tot - on appurtenance . you’re able to still purchase the PS5 with the disk drive pre - connected , but it ’s now removable and can even be purchased separately .
It ’s a clever move by Sony , as it streamlines the fabrication process since both the PS5 and PS5 Digital now have the same Congress of Racial Equality excogitation , with the only difference being the detachable magnetic disk drive . antecedently , there were concerns that manufactory had to happen a thrifty balance wheel of the production of both the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition so as to play demand .
However , when attend at the raw PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition side by side , I ca n’t help but feel that Sony has compromise on its visual modality by fitting on that disc drive , resulting in an unsightly pattern with a bulge that looks like some sort of growth . In comparison , the PS5 Digital Edition looks beautiful , with its case curving inwards to take up as little space as potential .
It ’s clear to me that Sony prioritise the design of the Digital Edition , and then worked rearwards to comprise the modular saucer campaign . This is a rummy decisiveness , withVGChartz account back in 2020that the PS5 Digital Edition was the less pop option with gamers , only contain up 25 % of the total sale – although that could have change in the follow three years .
But there ’s no dubiety that the digital games market is on an upwards flight . bear on Square report back in July 2022that nearly 80 % of all game sales on PS4 and PS5 were digital purchases rather than a physical disc . With such consequence , it ’s no surprisal that Sony is march towards making the disc driving as an optional add - on accessory rather than integrating it into the design .
I have to say that , despite early pessimism , I now hug the all - digital geezerhood . When the PS5 first launched I choose for the disk drive modeling , as I wanted to still have the option to purchase discs as well make use of my Blu - Ray assembling . But that seems like a waste of money in hindsight , as I seldom ever bribe physical game discs and I now find myself watching Netflix , Disney Plus and the like rather than digging out any of my older Blu - Rays .
The only use typeface of the disc campaign that I ’ve find to be useful is enabling me to make for my old PS4 biz on the PS5 console , especially if there ’s been a ‘ next - gen ’ update for the like ofWitcher 3 . But once the PS6 launches , I doubt that will be an issue since almost all of my PS5 games are now digital .
I also mean the move to all - digital consoles will be fantastic for the environment . We ’d reduce the amount of plastic waste , as well as the CO₂ emissions make by delivering games to the many retailer across the globe .
Sony will likely be hesitating to switch over entirely over to digital game , as it will risk upsetting major retailers such as Amazon . But there ’s no rationality why online retail merchant ca n’t sprout additional game code for digital downloads instead . Such a move would also prevent Sony from have a shut market for game sales , ensuring that there ’s still competitive pricing .
The only plausible parameter I can think of in favor of hold physical game discs is game preservation . Nintendo ’s recent closure of the 3DS and Wii U eShops reignite fear that it ’s becoming more and more more difficult to get at senior digital game . The only solace is that most sometime game are still useable in disc data format , but that would no longer be the case if Sony did decide to axe physical games entirely for the PS6 .
More needs to be done to facilitate business concern in paying attention to plot conservation , but there ’s no reason why Sony ca n’t ensure that a digital library of older PlayStation games can be accessible to all , either through the cloud or even on PC given Sony ’s increase interest in the platform .
Either way , the PS5 Slim is grounds that Sony no longer consider the disc drive as an essential component for its cabinet . In fact , it seems like Sony reckon it more like an irritating obstacle after seeing how it has been pull to compromise on the look of its latest cabinet . All signs point towards the PS6 becoming the first all - digital console table , and that may not be such a defective thing .
