The news that the upcoming slimmer all-digital PlayStation 5 model will offer an attachable Blu-Ray drive was welcomed by many fans, but the handling of this addition gives pause to many, especially its requirement of internet connectivity for pairing. Slimmer PS5 redesigns will address some of the awkwardness of the launch PS5 sizes, which are difficult to house in most home entertainment furniture. An attachable disc drive would have been useful for those who purchased the original all-digital PS5, but the new drive will only function with the slim PS5 model. Its internet connection requirement might be the most eyebrow raising decision, however, adding real cause for concern.
There are various reasons why some gaming fans still prefer physical media discs over digital game purchases. Some of these are couched in concerns about game preservation or hard drive space, while others simply enjoy tangible collectibles or resell their video games. The most understandable rationale for physical media purchases in 2023 is that many regions still do not have access to quality internet connection speeds, so installing from a disc offers advantages over installing or re-installing a game online. This makes an internet connectivity requirement for a Blu-Ray drive feel counterproductive since one of the advantages of physical discs is sidestepping the need to rely on the internet.
Internet Requirements For PS5 Disc Drive Pairing Harm Many Consumers
As reported by Kotaku, a leaked image of the PS5 Slim’s packaging revealed a surprising and unsettling wrinkle, after fans closely viewed the images posted by X news account CharlieIntel. The box included a disclaimer stating, “Internet connection required to pair Disc Drive and PS5 console upon setup.” This warning prompts more questions, as it is unclear whether this is a one-time process or a step required every time the drive is detached and then re-attached to the console. Any online requirement seems strange, however, as opening a PS5 console to add another SSD drive to expand game storage runs an internal check, not an internet-based validation.
There are certainly some possible explanations for the internet requirement, most of which are likely profit-oriented for Sony, rather than concerns for the consumer. Where the PS5 allows third-party SSDs, the disc drive is limited to the official model from Sony, not other third-party external Blu-Ray drives. A third-party disc drive, or a modded official drive, might accept copied discs rather than official retail game discs, and using an online installation model allows Sony to update its anti-piracy protocols for the drive. Whatever the rationale, this remains harmful to consumers with poor internet.
The same PlayStation fans who might prefer discs due to slow or inconsistent local internet connections will be forced to use the internet to connect their external drives, according to the leaked packaging. This is of less concern if it is a one-time validation, but if the same process is required every time they reconnect the drive, it removes one of the perks of having a slimmer all-digital PS5 with an option to attach a drive as needed. It is harder to enjoy any mainstream console without using the internet today, but disc drives remain an option for those who prefer to keep the hobby as offline as possible.
Pricing Already Holds The Slim PS5 Back, But An Internet Requirement Makes It Worse
It is a strange inconsistency that Sony allowed third-party storage expansion but kept the optional disc drive in-house only. Any internet requirement provides more reason to worry, and some future-thinking gaming fans are concerned that an internet connection requirement for a drive could harm game preservation in other ways. Many games are removed from storefronts due to limited-duration licensing agreements or expired music licensing. At present, games that are no longer available for purchase through digital storefronts can still be installed and played from their original discs, but some fans worry the PS5 drive could disable gameplay for titles that are no longer available for sale.
The fact that a $450 all-digital slim PS5 paired with an $80 external drive will cost more than a standard PS5 model is already irksome, but the requirement of an internet connection for drive use adds more reasons to worry about the future of PlayStation. To address concerns about game preservation and internet access alike, fans can hope Sony reverses course on its internet requirement to use a PlayStation 5 external Blu-Ray drive.
