SCE boss rules out death of discs for next console. Says Kaz Hirai

SCE CEO, Kaz Hirai, has ruled out a digital-only strategy for the next PlayStation console.

Hirai made the comments in trade mag MCV, despite heading up the only platform to launch a digital-only console in the from of PSPgo.

"We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn't as robust as one would hope," he said.

"There's always going to be requirement for a business of our size and scope to have a physical medium.

"To think everything will be downloaded in two years, three years or even ten years from now is taking it a little bit to the extreme."

Hirai's comments are completely at odds with those of EEDAR analyst Greg Short, who predicted last week that both PS4 and Xbox 720 will ditch disc formats.

What say you, readers? Are we ready to disc those ancient disc things? Or more specifically, will we be in three/four years time?

 Source: MCV & computerandvideogames.com

This is for the best since it gives customers more options.

As long as each game has a physical media option and digital media option, everyone wins...

I will ALWAYS buy physical media over digital media. Digitial media to me is not owning.

i really hope they dont go with just digital distribution. I "like many others" enjoy reading through the instruction manual (especially Big N's for their games)  and believe that it would slightly take away from the experience in purchasing a new game.

I kinda feel the same way. Well at least for a good while longer the physical medium will be around since the market clearly isn't yet ready for a digital only system.     

I agree. I'm betting on there being a higher potential for cartridges actually. Maybe not in the next gen though as the costs still have to come down considerably for a 30gb flash. Probably by 1/2 at real costs compared to a bluray disc.

they're most likely going to use sometype of blu ray discs next gen. Its just becomming really popular, to make a new format would be taking away from the blurays success

Physical medium is very important. I refuse to buy a full game through digital download.

THANK the Lord they realize PSP GO was a mistake!!!!!!!!

Like Wagram said, physical media is cooler and box arts are so important!

We will find that out on E3 2012...