Speaking with MCV, Fergal Gara, SCE UK VP and MD Fergal Gara, said that retail sales will be a important “whenever the next cycle” of consoles are released, despite declines in sales over recent years. This means the PS4 won’t solely rely on digital purchases and cloud-based gaming.
“Coming down off that 2008 peak has been a steep ride for many and has involved fallout on many levels, not least of all retail,” Gara told MCV.
“So what we’re seeing is not really a surprise, a bit of a readjustment if you like and it isn’t just happening to the specialists on the High Street,” he said. “There is a bit of a reappraisal around space and the commitment from other retailers.
In the past, it’s been suggested that the PS4 would rely solely on digital purchases, and with the recent Gaikai announcement focus soon changed to a cloud-based streaming-only model. Sony isn’t ready to drop the physical format completely however, and it’s probably a good thing since gamers will prefer physical media.