Future of Physical Media in consoles - end of disks?

[dark_gh0st_b0y]

dark_gh0st_b0y said:
assuming that the long-term future of gaming is almost certainly streaming based, the 'console' will only be each company's controllers and accessories

so 'physical' games I believe, will be a lifetime access code in a box, maybe with in-game extras and merchandise?

A weird assumption. What gives you that idea? Nothing has indicated streaming will work, let alone be desirable. You'll need to buy something to make the connection so consoles should remain for a long time.

 I don't see how it would not work. it's just video streaming but with online play. All they need is an app to be installed on whatever supported devices, and the controllers/accessories will have their adapters I guess.

I believe it is very desirable, reduces the costs and the risks associated from having to design a console hardware from scartch each generation. Just cloud processing units.

With 5G being everywhere in a few years, accessiblity won't be an issue either. Everything and everyone is shifting online, and gaming will do too I believe.

In fact, it is already happening.

https://shadow.tech/en-gb/

https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/23/21529925/xbox-tv-streaming-stick-xcloud-cloud-gaming-phil-spencer-interview

https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/20/21525435/amazon-luna-early-access-cloud-gaming

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/cloud-gaming