Sony: Digital Download Won't Replace Game Discs Any Soon

When asked about the possibility of a "discless console" in the future, one that relies solely on digital download for its games delivery, Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai answered simply that he "thinks that's going to be a little way off".

"Even with PS3, today, you're talking about games that take 14, 15Gb, even upwards of 20Gb," he explained. "If you try to offer that complete game as a download, you can do that, but what is the consumer experience going to be like?"

"You also have to realise that different countries all have broadband, but the speeds are different, and then there are some territories where there isn't too much broadband infrastructure at this point in time."

"When you look at it from a worldwide business perspective, the most efficient way of delivering 50 gigabytes, say, is going to be on a disk for a while to come."

"That's not to say we're not doing the online stuff - which we are, through the PlayStation Store, but it's basically a combination that makes the most sense for us and consumers. That's why in some instances, we'll offer both versions, like with Gran Turismo 5: Prologue."