The logistcal issue with physical PS games post 2027

[ConsoleWarVet]

CosmicSex said:

ConsoleWarVet said:

A monopoly over the distribution of their games.  

If Sony is the only place to get access to a game, Sony then holds a monopoly on that access.  No secondary market.  No electronics stores.  Just Sony.  

Companies have sales to move stock that isn’t moving, but digital games aren’t stock. Sony doesn’t need to lower prices to sell digital games in the way that physical retailers need to lower prices to move stock to clear space.  Sony’s digital storefront will never be faced with the same urgency to move stock, which means prices will inevitably trend upwards for bargain hunters.  The ecosystem is closed when Sony has a monopoly to access their games.

With closed ecosystem, Sony can do whatever they want, because they will no longer be in the business of selling games, but selling access.  The price of that access can only go up (if Sony wanted to lower prices, they would not have raised them so many times), the amount of access that is sold can only go down.  Discs are forever, permission is temporary.  When Sony alters the terms of service, gamers can only pray that Sony doesn’t alter them further.

Perhaps consumers will switch to Microsoft, or Nintendo, but if Sony’s business practices are standard fare and the other corporations operate the same way, then the consumer’s situation has not improved or even changed in a meaningful way.  

Digital games are a great option.  They are very convenient and have undeniable advantages.  But when digital games are compulsory and a corporation holds a monopoly over access to those games…the advantages diminish.

That is incorrect.  They said in that statement that after January 2028, they will sales digital codes at retailers (code in box). This is the opposite of what you stated. This is actually a good thing because right now, we can only by digital through PSN.  It wasn't always this way.  So they are going back to allowing retailers to sale digital games which means we finally have digital competition again.    This plan was later reiterated by the CFO at the earnings call. "Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only."  Now I would like to see an option that would allow you to resale those games you get from retailers.  That is a valid concern.  You should be able to get the box to someone else and they should be able to then use the code or trade it in.  But it is incorrect to say that you HAVE to get game from them directly.  That is factually incorrect. 

That is not the opposite of what I said. 

First, I note that you do not disagree that the secondary market has been cut out of the equation.  that is what creates the conditions for a monopoly on access.

Second, if you buy a digital code from a store, you are not buying a game.  You are buying a code for access to a game, and you still have to go through Sony to get it.  The same can’t be said about picking up an actual game from a pawn shop.  

Sony wants to deny the option of buying a game at a store.  Putting a code in a box is window dressing; codes don’t need boxes.  I’ve seen my share of game codes on glorified gift cards.  And I’ve seen some cards get discontinued, so the ball is entirely in Sony’s court what becomes of those cards down the road.

That’s what makes it a monopoly.  

Finally, I never said you “HAVE” to get a game from Sony directly.  You took the time to place some bold on the font saying “IF Sony…”.  Sony can choose to allow indirect access to their games, but they will have the option to limit that to direct access at any time.

If Sony has that option, Sony already has a monopoly on access.  Digital codes at retailers is just how Sony is deciding to display that monopoly.