With the increasing popularity of digital ownership in the world of video games, companies like PlayStation have been quick to jump on the bandwagon. However, recent events have shown us just how flawed and frustrating digital ownership can be.
In a recent announcement, PlayStation notified its users that it would be shutting down the PlayStation Store for its PS3, PS Vita, and PSP platforms. This decision means that players will no longer be able to purchase new games or content for these platforms, effectively rendering them obsolete in the digital realm. This move has left many gamers feeling frustrated and outraged, and it serves as a stark reminder of the drawbacks of digital ownership.
One of the main issues with digital ownership is the lack of control that consumers have over their purchases. When you buy a physical game, you have the peace of mind knowing that you own the game and can play it whenever you want, regardless of the state of the company or platform it was originally released on. With digital ownership, however, that control is stripped away, as evidenced by PlayStation’s decision to shut down the store for older platforms.
Furthermore, digital ownership also comes with the risk of losing your purchases entirely. If a platform or service decides to shut down, as in the case of the PlayStation Store for older platforms, players are left with no recourse but to accept the loss of their digital library. This creates a sense of impermanence and instability in the gaming experience, as players can never be sure that their purchases will always be accessible to them.
Another drawback of digital ownership is the lack of resale value. When you buy a physical game, you have the option to resell it or trade it in for store credit. With digital ownership, however, your purchases are tied to your account and cannot be transferred to anyone else. This means that once you’re done with a game, it simply sits in your digital library, unable to recoup any of the initial cost.
In light of these recent events, it’s clear that PlayStation and other companies need to address the concerns surrounding digital ownership. Consumers deserve the peace of mind knowing that their purchases are secure and accessible, regardless of the company’s decisions or the passage of time. Until these issues are resolved, digital ownership will continue to remind us of its shortcomings and why it’s essential to approach it with caution.
