PlayStation Network failure shows how much games on physical media are needed

I do not think that electronic versions of games are pure evil. Or that box games are the only form of gaming salvation in the world. I am somewhere in the middle – I love to look at a collection of physical editions, but I also appreciate the convenience of digital versions. I am aware that moving away from discs or other media is inevitable, but looking at the current PlayStation Network failure, this is a very bad news. And in the future (I hope far) it can only be worse.

PlayStation Network failure

At the time of writing the text, the thirteenth hour of PlayStation Network's network failure. All “fun” began on February 8, 2025 at 1:00 Polish time. Imagine my surprise as it turned out that I can't start Not one installed game on the console. It doesn't matter if it was free (such as Infinity Nikki), as part of the subscription (e.g. Trial Space Marine 2) or purchased (e.g. Elden Ring). I got in the face with a message informing that I could not play because it is impossible to verify the license due to the inability to connect to the server. Of course, a solution has been given, showing where in the settings I can change to the option of playing offline. Unfortunately, I can't change it because it can't be connected to the server. A perfect example of a vicious circle.It is true that on the second console (which serves as my wife's equipment) I can start what I want, but what would happen if because of the non -working PSN server, it was impossible to start games even on the console set as the main? Without beating around the bush – I would be in a deep ass.

All the money I spent on my collection (over a thousand titles) went down the mud. And then such PlayStation becomes a very expensive and large paper button.

Fortunately, I still have this desire to collect boxes and I managed to build a library for several years. Unfortunately, it still comes out pale at the digital collection. And this is really just the tip of the iceberg. In such a situation, even a physical version plays, he does not necessarily save the situation. You will probably ask why? As a response, one word is enough: updates. Such dear readers, for several years, game manufacturers have accustomed us to the fact that the product for which we pay the full price, is not a full -fledged product without the so -called Patch Day One, which eliminates some of the more annoying mistakes. And this is not always, because sometimes the title we awaited is fully playing after e.g. half a year. The perfect example on my part will be Horizon Zero Dawn published in 2017. Playing for the premiere had such a lot of mistakes that I bounced off her almost immediately. Although I was waiting for the premieres like stars and bought it for the premiere. I returned after six months, probably 1.47 and then it sat down nice. Mimo, it still does not solve the problem of the technical condition of games for the premiere. You can cack examples for a long time: the latest will be Spider-Man 2 on the PC, and the most famous-Cyberpunk 2077. I feel something so that the 1983 repetition is approaching. And if not, it should.

Pros and cons of digitization

I find myself buying games in digital versions myself. Lots of games. Reasons are even mass: frequent promotions, better discounts, the ability to switch from one title to another with several clicks … in total convenience and saving. In addition, there are productions that have never landed on the album and probably will not land. You know, it's about money. The cost of the disc, boxes, cover printing, shipping and so on. In general, it turns out that digital versions are cheaper to sell than physical versions, right? Yes, but not actually. And this is something incomprehensible for my non -corporate head. How does a digital product, not requiring the entire production envelope related to the physical version, cost exactly the same? Ba! There are situations when the number is even more expensive than the box edition! This is a complete absurdity.Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Gold Edition / photo: PlayStation Store it is likely to be with e-books, or at least in Poland. Anyway – the digital edition dominates the physical because it will never run out (because how?), It will always be on the “shelf” (or at least in theory), and the carrier will not be damaged, because it is on the web (as long as someone It will not turn off the servers) and I have access to every equipment after logging in. In addition, the number does not take up so much space at home.

Full digitization of games on the PC took place a long time ago, and in shops we will get a box with a code on Steam – usually.

Only such players have a choice. It is a lot of available stores like Steam, Epic Store or GOG. Not to mention pages with Eneba, G2A or Kinguin codes. There are also launches of various publishers such as Ubisoft or EA. And I understand that having nastu icons on the desktop, each to a different platform or store, can be overwhelming or annoying. But the PC player still has an advantage over console freedom of choice. He will choose the platform that offers a given title at a more bargain price. And consolers? Well … in short they are overwhelmed. PlayStation users are tied to PS Store. Xbox for Xbox Store. Nintendo for nintendo e-shop. Lack of competition in the case of consoles causes a monopoly on a given product. Okey, we can buy a code for a given production on a medium kosher page, but seriously – did you see the prices of the console key? They rarely pay off. It is different in the case of PC – here you have to strive for the client. As long as the physical versions of console games are available, you can choose between a store that offers a given title at a better price. And there is also a secondary market. There are players who buy the game, pass and then sell it – not everyone hamster all boxes. And in the digital version? We are tied to the end, we will not sell. Well, unless the whole account, but it's rather not profitable.

The dark future of gaming

Looking generally what is happening in the industry, I am beginning to fear that the end of a certain era of games is coming. Will it be a 1983 replay? Not necessarily, at least not in all of Giereczków. Far Eastern Game Manufacturers bring that I will express myself – be it Koreans (Stellar Blade, Black Desert Online or expected Crimson Desert), or Chinese (Black Myth: Wukong or upcoming Where Winds Meet), or Japanese (Yakuza series, ys Atelier, souls – can be exchanged without end). The West focuses too much on Dei, Gaas and other stupid things, instead of providing a good, finished, full -fledged product. A product that will throw players to the knees and make them want to play it and what is the most important for companies – to buy. Maybe the crisis in this industry will actually be useful? Maybe then everything will return to normal? The East shows very well that you can do a nice free game (e.g. Genshin Impact, Azur Lane, Infinity Nikki, Zenless Zone Zone), in which you can spend money, but you don't have to. It is worth noting that these are productions focused on one player with optional multi. I can spend dozens of hours in these titles.

Physical games in the current state are failure and the album does not make sure that we will play a given title without access to the network.

There are many reasons: games as services with required network access-although they reportedly added offline or such Diablo IV), a lot of errors (often the title is immobilized or heavily buried without Day One Patch, e.g. the mentioned Spider-Man 2 on PC ) or the possibility of damage to the carrier (scratching or breaking the plate). Not to mention the action from EA from Modern Warfare – there was only a license on the album, and the whole game was downloading anyway. Well, without a network, you won't play the single campaign. Digital games, in turn, are available as we have a network and it is often required to verify if we can play in a given title. How great it would be if we came back from the time when after putting the disc into the console, we could start playing right away. I am aware that this can not be possible with the current weight of games, but who knows – maybe a new type of carrier will be created? Large companies can be covered by the fact that they are eco, so they go to digital products, but nothing more wrong. It is never about the good of the environment, consumer, feelings (more or less imaginary) of a group. It's only about money. The money of customers who spend it shows that they agree to this approach. That is why I think that voting with a portfolio is the best solution. Dragon Age: The Wokeguard or Concord are the perfect example.