Sony: time not right for download-only

Now is not the right time for a download-only console, Sony has insisted.

Why? Because in some parts of the world, broadband internet isn't quite there yet.

Oh, and because people still like shopping in real life.

"We believe, for some consumers, the time is [right], but for other consumers, the time is still not [right]," boss of Sony Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida told Edge.

"So we believe the time is still not right to go download-only as a platform. Some PS Vita titles, like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, will be close to 4GB in size, which could be too large to download for consumers who do not have a fast broadband connection.

"Also, some consumers like shopping in retail stores, talking to knowledgeable store clerks, buying and playing games on the spot. We do not want to remove that capability from consumers."

New Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss Jim Ryan concluded: "There are consumers in parts of the world - this is a global device - where the digital model has not yet fully been embraced."

Ryan and Yoshida's comments echo those made by ex-SCE boss Kaz Hirai, who said last year that a digital future is still 10 years away.

"We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn't as robust as one would hope," Hirai said.

"There's always going to be requirement for a business of our size and scope to have a physical medium.

"To think everything will be downloaded in two years, three years or even 10 years from now is taking it a little bit to the extreme."