A local gaming expert is warning of the changing landscape of media and its possible effects.
Garreth McGrath, VP of Sandbox Gaming, is sounding the alarm following an announcement from Sony revealing its intention to stop creating physical discs for games and to focus solely on digital media. According to McGrath, there are more cons than pros.
“When they remove the ability for physical game sales, it’s essentially creating a digital monopoly for these companies so, Sony and Microsoft are going to be in a position where what they say goes.”
Speaking to VOCM Open Line’s Brian Callahan, McGrath warned of the end of game-sharing – a practice whereby individuals trade discs through friends, or rent games at a store or library. By ensuring the only copies of your game are digital, it would have to be purchased new in order to be played. Not only does this limit the kinds of ways that people may play, but it could completely kill second-hand games.
On top of that, licenses can be revoked – and that’s something that’s already been seen on streaming services.
“Sony is partnered with the production company and the distribution company StudioCanal,” McGrath says “…and recently StudioCanal pulled their licenses from Sony and, as part of that, everyone who bought a movie at StudioCanal, where the license was for, got a notification on the PlayStation saying that you don’t have a license to this anymore.”
There is a silver lining, according to McGrath – not all gaming companies are following the same path. Many companies, including Nintendo, have so far committed to continue making physical cartridges for the time being.
