New details about the PlayStation 5 (PS5) redesign, otherwise being referred to unofficially as the PS5 Slim, have surfaced about its optional optical drive, and what it requires to be attached to the updated console. Apparently, you will have to ensure that you have an internet connection, in order to intall it.
The alleged requirement was discovered by an eagle-eyed viewer, whom posted images of the fine print found on the packaging of the PS5 Slim bundle that would include the upcoming Activision Blizzard title, Call of Duty Modern Warfare III. Based on the language, though, it sounds as though that the mandatory requirement is a one-off, meaning that players will still be able to launch their physical games in offline mode, after the initial installation of said drive.
Wait…..are you actually trying to say to me that the PlayStation 5 Optional Disc Drive has ONLINE DRM??!!
I…I mean what??!!! pic.twitter.com/cYVGuPR16g
— TheStebe (@The_Stebe) October 25, 2023
As reasonable as that may sound, the internet clearly finds this requirement to be concerning, particularly in the avenue of server authentication. By requiring the PS5 Slim to have an internet connection to install the detachable optical drive, it further adds an unnecessary dependency on said servers, and the problems that arise with that are plenty. For example and hypothetically speaking, should Sony’s servers suddenly enter a downtime or worse, suddenly go down or crash in the midst of the accessory’s installation, that alone may or may not cause the newly purchased console to enter an undesirable state or Gods forbid, transform into an expensive paperweight.
It is a delicious irony for the PS5 Slim simply because the original PS5 model with the disc drive doesn’t require an internet connection, allowing owners of said model to instantly play their physical games anytime and anywhere they want.
The PS5 Slim will be rolling out in the US starting November, while in Malaysia, we’re still out an exact availability window. Having said that, PlayStation SEA did say on its blog that the new console will still be priced from RM2,069 for the Digital Edition, and RM2,499 for the Physical Edition. As for the optical drive itself, you can purchase that separately for RM529.
(Source: X, Techspot)
