Odd Internet Conditions Accompany New Slim PS5 Disc Drive

• PS5 Slim to feature swappable disc drive.
• PS Plus contributes to increasing game backlog.
• Internet connection required for PS5 Slim setup.
• Concerns over disc drive's future and game preservation.
• PS5 Slim release and pricing details.

Upcoming PlayStation 5 Slim Will Feature Swappable Disc Drive

The anticipated smaller PlayStation 5 Slim is set to revolutionize gaming hardware with a swappable disc drive, giving owners the freedom to attach or detach it as they please. However, a recent leak regarding the slim redesign hints at a compulsory internet connection for the Blu-Ray player’s initial setup, sparking concerns about its future usability for classic PS5 discs.

Increasing Backlog Thanks to PS Plus

As video game lovers continue to increase their game collection, PS Plus has been a significant contributor to making this backlog even larger. This has been a topic of discussion amongst gamers and has been shared extensively on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Email, and Reddit.

Unveiling the PS5 Slim

An unexpected requirement was revealed through a new leak of the PS5 slim’s box as retailers gear up for its November release. The leaked images disclose a disclaimer on the box stating, “Internet connection required to pair Disc Drive and PS5 console upon setup.”

Reactions to the Internet Connection Requirement

As this requirement started making rounds online, it was perceived as unusual and troubling by some, including Digital Foundry’s John Linneman. He expressed his concerns on Twitter, stating, “Hardware connectivity shouldn’t be determined by a server that may not always be available.”

Future of Disc Drive and Video Game Preservation

It remains unclear if the internet connection requirement will be a one-time necessity during the initial pairing of the console and disc drive, or if it will be required every time the drive is detached and reattached. There are concerns that this requirement could render new PS5s unable to read discs in the distant future, if Sony's servers used for pairing are eventually taken offline. This could significantly impact video game preservation as the industry transitions to an all-digital medium.

Understanding the Requirement

There's a possibility that this requirement is Sony's way of complying with an outdated section of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act designed to prevent piracy. As highlighted by Lost in Cult CEO Jon Doyle and others, Section 1201 of the Act makes it illegal to “circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a copyrighted work.”

Impact on Right to Repair Advocates

This includes optical drive firmware, which has long been a point of contention for right to repair advocates. As reported in 2020, the wording of the Act has resulted in many older consoles ending up in landfills rather than being resold or reused. Section 1201 was revisited by the U.S. Copyright office in 2021 and while some protections for repair were expanded, it fell short of adding a full exemption.

Release and Pricing of the PlayStation 5 Slim

According to Dealabs’ billbil-kun, the slimmer PS5 is set to officially release on November 8. The standard model with the disc drive will retail for $500, while the all-digital version will cost $450. The standalone disc drive will be priced at $80. Sony has confirmed that once all current stock of launch PS5 consoles sells out, the slim models will be the only ones available.

Response from Sony

As of now, Sony has not responded to requests for comments regarding these developments.

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