The next generation consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have been released.
In addition to improved performance over the previous generation consoles, these two game consoles also have iconic features. The reason is that a model without a disk drive, a so-called downloadable software-only machine, was also released.
When I heard this announcement, I was deeply moved, wondering if such a model would finally become an option. That should be it. This is because the sale of games in download format has now become widely established in the world. In particular, it has become commonplace for packaged titles for home consoles to be released with a download version, to the point where criticism is raised if a download version is not released. What was once commonplace is no longer so, and is now considered old-fashioned.At the same time, I feel that times have changed, and at the same time, I feel that we are living in an era of technological advancement. It has become a truly interesting and prosperous era.
However, on the other hand, there are times when I feel uncomfortable.
The attractiveness of package sales is declining, and the inconvenience of the products themselves is beginning to become more apparent.
The contents have become “empty”
It’s true that you can play the download version without the hassle of inserting a game disc or game card into the console, so it’s no surprise that you’d feel that way about the packaged version, which comes with such a hassle.
I feel like the “emptiness” is getting deeper and deeper.
Specifically, the contents. PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, the recently discontinued Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita, and now WiiU. A common feature of the packaged versions of these game consoles is that there are very few, or worse, none at all, other than the game discs and game cards.
This is especially true for most of the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. For Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita, titles in the early stages of release included enclosed items such as instruction manuals and operation explanation cards, but after a certain point, instruction manuals disappeared, and operation explanation cards were not included depending on the game. Eventually, something empty that had neither of those things began to appear.
For someone like me, who lived in a time when there was no downloadable version for home consoles and packaged versions had some sort of inclusion, I feel incredibly sad.
However, it is not impossible to understand the background behind the progress in this direction. The expansion of in-game explanation functions (tutorials), the spread of smartphones and the Internet environment, and the development of technology that eliminates the need for e-books and instruction manuals have probably diminished the significance of their existence.
In fact, around 2010, the Wii, the current console at the time, showed a tendency for the total number of pages in the manual to decrease each time a new game was released.
At first, the manual was about 20 to 30 pages long, but before I knew it, it had become a thin book with only about 10 to 12 pages. The same thing happened with PlayStation 3 games, some of which even lacked instructions. It was thought that this was done in consideration of resource reduction, but the truth is not certain. However, if we look at it now that it has continued to decline and then disappeared, there may have been some kind of influence.
One reason for this is that with the development of various technologies, it has become dramatically easier to gather information about games. Nowadays, there is no need to carefully read the enclosed instruction manual, and even if you start the game right away, there are tutorials, so you can enjoy the game without reading the instruction manual first. In a sense, it’s a good time. In addition, some products, such as downloadable versions, do not come with instructions or other enclosed materials. Considering its existence, there may be an intention to eliminate the unique advantage of a package that comes with an instruction manual and reduce the differences.
But is it really necessary to eliminate inclusions? I feel like this may have gone too far. Because the package physically exists, it is possible to include instructions and other inclusions, but on the other hand, it is time-consuming to insert media such as discs and cards into the game console when starting it up. Since downloads do not physically exist, there is no package included, but the effort required to launch the game is greatly reduced, making it easier to play the game.Depending on the game console, there is also the benefit of increased processing speed. It will be done.
It seems that the attractiveness of a different option shines when these strengths and weaknesses stand out, but now the physical presence of the package has lost its appeal, and I feel that I have added it to my inventory. Just barely enough left. Moreover, download versions such as “download cards” and download versions in empty boxes are now available, albeit in small numbers, and these themselves are shaky.
If the convenience of downloadable versions is appreciated and the popularity is on the rise, it is natural that older versions will be weeded out. However, what is it like to lose so many charms and change? It would seem inevitable if they were to be weeded out while still retaining their original charm, but I find this trend strange.
In addition to this, the inconvenience seems to be becoming more prominent year by year.
Few differences due to common specifications, and “lid”
This is especially true for the packaged versions of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Both are game machines that use disc media, and when playing, you insert the game disc into the main unit’s disc drive.
If this was a similar game console from a while ago, you could start it right away by turning it on after inserting it, but that’s different now. There is a step to copy the game data to the internal disk of the game machine, and the game can be played after the process is completed.
In short, the packaged version consumes space on the main unit, just like the downloaded version. Furthermore, there is no difference in consumption capacity. For example, Ghost of Tsushima, which was released on PlayStation 4 in July 2020, uses approximately 40GB both as a package and as a download.
The only difference is whether or not it takes time to insert the disc. If your goal is to play the game normally, and you don’t need the added experience, the download version is the best solution. Naturally, there are no instructions or other inclusions in the packaged version. In the case of Ghost of Tsushima, there are product codes for bonus downloadable content and flyers for new titles that will be released in the near future, but other than that, it’s pretty simple, and the only thing that’s worth it is to really feel like you’ve added it to your inventory. . On the other hand, it also means that it takes up space, which can be a disadvantage depending on the environment in which it is stored.
It feels like the inconvenience is more than appealing as a sales format.
However, inserting a disc into the console of both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is easy. The Nintendo Switch has its own inconvenience, as you have to pick and open the “lid” attached to the insertion slot to insert it.
The Nintendo Switch is a game machine that uses card media, but it takes a lot of effort to insert it. The lid in question is attached so that it sticks to the main body, and after opening it, it is necessary to bend it slightly backwards.
I find this annoying and fearful that it will break, so I often end up buying the download version on Nintendo Switch. A similar lid is available on the PlayStation Vita, but it is also a burden, and I ended up choosing the download version several times. Some initially purchased the package version, but later switched to the download version.
This kind of lid was probably installed to prevent dust from entering and card media being lost. However, it has become increasingly cumbersome and inconvenient to use, and it seems that the convenience of the download version has become more prominent as a result. Still, unlike the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the amount of space required to copy data is small, so it has the advantage of saving space on the device’s internal disk and microSD card. However, if you have to go through the trouble of plugging it in for that reason, you might feel a bit of a hassle (though it varies from person to person).
It can be seen that both measures are aimed at providing a better gaming experience. However, I feel that something is wrong with the way this consideration highlights the weakness of the download version as an alternative. Furthermore, these specifications are so solid that it is meaningless to request modifications.
I’m tempted to say that this is being too harsh on the packaged version. I also wonder why, as game consoles and sales formats continue to evolve and diversify, old-fashioned methods have returned and become less convenient. This may be an unavoidable price to pay in the process of evolution, but my honest impression is that it doesn’t make sense.
We hope that you will rediscover and pursue the charm of owning something.
Although the world is becoming stricter about packaging, we still maintain our unique strengths in that we can feel that we have added games to our inventory, and we can sell games we don’t like.
The latter may no longer be a strong point as the refund system for the download version is gradually developing, but since it exists physically, it will continue to prevail in that it will continue to exist even after the current model is retired. This is because downloadable versions have the major disadvantage that if the rights holder goes bankrupt or goes through business restructuring, you will no longer be able to purchase them again.
Although it has the scary side of not being able to be passed down to future generations, the download version is extremely attractive when it comes to playing it. It’s easy to play, you can start playing right away by selecting the icon on the home screen after starting the game without inserting a disc or card, it’s overwhelmingly compatible with games you play regularly, and most importantly, all you need is an internet connection. It’s really great to be able to play anytime and anywhere without having to worry about it being sold out. Since there are no manufacturing costs for discs or cards, the company’s achievements in creating an environment in which it is easy to sell indie games created by individuals or small teams cannot be overlooked. Thanks to this, we are now in an era where amazingly unique games are being released and can be played. Furthermore, we live in a world where smartphone games, which are basically sold as downloads, have become widespread. It is now indispensable.
Given these circumstances, it is only natural that download-only machines will emerge. However, packaging still has a lot of value and purpose, so is it just my imagination that it seems like they are trying to weed out products by emphasizing their inconvenience?
With the addition of options for dedicated machines, the sale of downloadable software is expected to become more widespread and widespread than ever before, mainly for home machines. As cloud technology develops in the future, packages may become more and more niche, but I think it’s precisely in times like these that we should reconsider their unique value. I can understand why you are promoting the merits of the download version. But aren’t you pushing it too hard and starting to see strange distortions?
Lately, there has been an increase in the number of indie games being sold as packages after their release, and one of these is the Nintendo Switch version of “Enter the Gungeon,” which was released in April 2020. Instructions and stickers are included as a permanent bonus.
Even if the price goes up a little, why not take a closer look at the unique strengths of this kind of package? Benefits like product codes and soundtracks for downloadable content are nice, but can’t we add something more to the game that makes us feel attached to it? That’s what I’m thinking about these days.
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