With cart storage increasing and cost decreasing steadily, carts stand a chance possibly.
With digital sales steadily increasing, if next gen were to include a second digital based sku (with optional add on blu-ray drive for someones optical needs like movies, music, BC) then I could potentially see carts being used for next gen games, maybe.
The potential savings/profits on digital (game) sales would probably make up for the extra cost of the carts for physical games. This would allow for physical games to stay the same price or increase slightly worst case. This may also mean digital game sales end up staying the same price as well, instead of decreasing like they should.
BDXL discs would most likely still be cheaper at that point in time, but what kind of savings carts would lead to overall, console cost included, plus the performance benefits, may be enough to switch to carts.
This would be so ironic btw. PS forces NiN to switch to optical. NiN forces PS to "Switch" to carts. LOL
PS1 - ! - We must build a console that can alert our enemies.
PS2 - @- We must build a console that offers online living room gaming.
PS3 - #- We must build a console that’s powerful, social, costs and does everything.
PS4 - $- We must build a console that’s affordable, charges for services, and pumps out exclusives.
PRO -%-We must build a console that's VR ready, checkerboard upscales, and sells but a fraction of the money printer.
PS5 - ^ -We must build a console that’s a generational cross product, with RT lighting, and price hiking.
PRO -&- We must build a console that Super Res upscales and continues the cost increases.
