- A study reveals half of tested Xbox Series X titles need additional internet downloads.
- The figure drops to 34% for over 700 tested PS5 games, but it’s still concerning.
- Many physical games have become less self-contained over time and need internet to remain playable.
Sony’s recent announcement to end disc production of first-party titles caused a lot of controversy, as many gamers see physical editions as the more secure way to own and play games. Owning tangible products instead of digital licenses seems like a better choice, after all.
However, a study reveals that many physical games need additional downloads from the internet to be playable. Meaning, a lot of PS5 and Xbox Series X discs used without internet for the first time are unable to provide a fully playable gaming experience.
Why it matters: Whether it’s to download extra data or to verify licenses, many physical games nowadays require occasional internet check-ins to be playable. Therefore, having games on discs doesn’t guarantee they will remain playable forever.
DoesItPlay has tested hundreds of titles over the years across multiple consoles and platforms to determine their ‘offline play’ and ‘download required’ status. As per the study, half the tested Xbox Series X titles needed internet downloads to be fully playable.
The figure for PS5 was less in comparison. 792 tested games revealed that 34% require additional internet downloads to deliver the complete intended experience, so a whopping 269 games are on this list.
For Xbox Series X, at least 87% of tested entries can be played offline without a constant internet connection. However, this figure stands at 93% for PS5’s over 700 analyzed titles.
DoesItPlay head admin Clemens Itsel elaborates to Ars Technica that there’s no reason physical games would perish unless a company like Sony intentionally kills them.
There is a clear trend that physical releases are increasingly treated with ignorance from larger companies.
-DoesItPlay Owner, Clemens Itsel.
Sony clarified that player backlash on the disc dilemma had no impact on its business, so it’s moving forward with the decision. It is even offering replacements for discs with boxed editions that come with a code instead.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devotedly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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