This intentionally misses the point.
It’s physical and digital distribution.
It sounds logical. However, by that definition, game boxes with download codes would be physical as well… Yet Sony isn’t killing those.
To me it’s clear that it’s not about the method of distribution or the way data is processed, it’s about their business model in general.
The game is still downloaded from a server via codes in a box. The distribution of the game is still digital.
How about we ship a box with both a digital download code and a disc? Would you classify it as digital?
I’d classify the digital copy as digital, and the disc as physical if it has the game on it.
draco_aeneus@mander.xyz 2 weeks ago
While that is a shift that happened, it’s not the distribution method people actually have problems with, even if they sometimes misattribute it. The problem, which you see mentioned most of the time, is ownership.
Compare how people feel about Sony vs. GOG, which will just let you download DRM-free installer files. Both are distributed via the Internet, but people feel very different about them, right?
GoatSynagogue@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Physical discs aren’t DRM free though - the disc is the DRM.
Of course people like DRM free digital games, because it means they can get them for free.
DanceMomsSavedMe@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
It is however transferable and resellable legally. Digital only versions, even DRM free are not.
In my opinion, this has been one of the only things about consoles that has been a plus side compared to PC. Now that is gone and I can’t imagine why anyone would stay except out of a lack of finances to move to PC.
GoatSynagogue@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Technically no, they’re but supposed to be re-sold. Says so on box and disc.
DRM free means there’s no digital rights management, meaning there’s no ownership restrictions essentially.
GoG was also, reading between the lines, recently going to be closed. It was basically given to one of the founders of CDPR. Why would CDPR do that if it was making any sort of profit?