Sony Group(US:SONY) 3 6 Ke·2025-09-15 03:58Core Viewpoint - The upcoming PlayStation 6 (PS6) is expected to feature a detachable disc drive design, allowing players to choose between a digital-only version or a traditional version with a disc drive, reflecting Sony's commitment to both digital and physical game markets [3][6]. Group 1: PS6 Design and Features - The PS6 will adopt a detachable disc drive similar to the PS5 Slim, providing flexibility for consumers to purchase either a digital version or a traditional version with a disc drive [3]. - This design is anticipated to lower manufacturing costs significantly, as the PS5 Slim's detachable disc drive has met internal targets for cost reduction [3]. - The detachable disc drive allows Sony to cater to both digital and physical game markets, indicating that physical games will continue to have a presence for at least one more generation [3][6]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Challenges - The gaming industry is witnessing a decline in the use of physical discs due to rising costs and the shift towards digital distribution, with many consumer electronics no longer utilizing disc drives [6][8]. - The second-hand game market, which is facilitated by physical discs, negatively impacts game sales for developers, as they receive less revenue from used game sales [8]. - The increasing development costs in the gaming industry have led to a shift towards Games as a Service (GaaS), where many games are released in an incomplete state and improved over time, further diminishing the relevance of physical discs [9][11].