A suggestion for Sony to ease the impact of a digital-only future.

Is there anything Sony can do to make their fans happy? While it's unlikely that Sony will change their decision to stop supporting physical media on the PS5, one reader has some suggestions for how they can make the transition easier. Now that the initial shock has worn off, it's clear that from 2028 onwards, all new releases on PlayStation 5 will be digital-only.

And if the rumors are true, the PlayStation 6 won't even have a disc drive. As someone who already owns a portable PC, I'm not necessarily opposed to a digital-only future. My concern lies in the fact that Sony will have a monopoly on the sale of PlayStation 5 and games going forward.

And let's not forget their current digital storefront, which many consider to be anti-consumer due to its pricing and refund policies. So, here are some suggestions for how Sony can lessen the blow of a digital-only future. Of course, these are just wishful thinking and it's unlikely that Sony will actually implement any of these ideas.

Firstly, it would be great if digital games were cheaper. After all, there are no manufacturing or distribution costs, and no third parties taking a cut. But let's be realistic, it's unlikely that Sony will pass on any savings to the players.

In fact, it's more likely that prices will continue to rise with the next generation. Another issue is the inconsistent pricing on the PlayStation Store. I recently wrote to the Inbox about the prices of games on the store, particularly the Assassin's Creed series.

Despite some of the games being almost a decade old, they are still priced at £50. Meanwhile, physical copies can be found much cheaper at other retailers. Some people argued that the games have been on sale for much lower prices, but that's not the point.

Prices should be reasonable at all times, not just during sales. Players should be able to buy an older game without feeling like they're being ripped off. As it stands, 82% of all game sales are digital.

But I wonder if this reflects a more casual audience who don't pay attention to gaming news. Because from what I've seen, there has been a lot of backlash from players who prefer physical copies. So, perhaps it's time for Sony to reward their loyal customers with a loyalty scheme.

Players could earn points not just by purchasing games, but also by playing and achieving certain milestones. And why not give points for sharing screenshots and achievements on social media? It's a win-win situation, as players get store credit while Sony gets free publicity.

Another issue is Sony's refund policy. I remember pre-ordering No Man's Sky and being disappointed with the game. I tried to get a refund or store credit, but was denied.

This seems like a poor policy, especially when compared to Steam's two-hour refund window. It would be great if Sony could adopt a similar policy. And let's not forget about PlayStation Plus.

While I don't know which games are currently offered as part of the game trials on the top tier, I believe all upcoming first-party games should be included. And why not expand this to other tiers of PlayStation Plus as well? Looking towards the future, I think it's safe to say that the PlayStation 6 will be expensive.

And with the cost of living constantly on the rise, it will be difficult for many players to afford it. So, why not introduce a pay monthly option? We already do it with other tech, such as mobile phones.

And I thought the Xbox All Access was a great idea. Maybe Sony could do something similar, where players pay a monthly fee for a certain period of time, and this includes access to PlayStation Plus and store credit. These are just a few ideas that I believe could make the transition to an all-digital future a little easier for players.

I understand that not all of these may be feasible, but I hope that Sony will do something to appease their fans. Because at the end of the day, it's the players who make the gaming industry thrive. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GameCentral or Metro.

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