Apparently, you need to be connected to the internet to pair Sony’s new PS5 Slim model with the optional Disc Drive you can purchase alongside it.
This is according to the recently leaked MW3 PS5 Slim bundle. It suggests that the new model will be arriving sooner than expected on November 10.
The internet connection is only required when connecting the two devices for the first time. However, some have expressed issues and concerns with this proprietary measure.
Internet Connection Required to Pair PS5 Slim With Optional Disc Drive
According to the small print on the back of the recently leaked MW3 PS5 Slim bundle, you’ll need to connect to the internet to pair the optional Disc Drive to the PS5 Slim for the first time.
Here’s the exact quote on the back of the leaked bundle:
Internet connection required to pair Disc Drive and PS5 console upon setup.
The internet connection requirement seems to be only present for the initial pairing of the device with the console. You will not need an internet connection to use it after this first pairing.
The optional Disc Drive is aimed at those who opt for the Digital Edition of the PS5 Slim. It does not include an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive.
It will cost $79.99 / €119.99 / £99.99 / ¥11,980 to buy the optional Disc Drive separately.
Online Response to Needing Internet for PS5 Slim Disc Drive
The online response to the required internet connection needed to pair the two devices is filled with concern. Players are worried that they won’t be able to use the Disc Drive in the future due to its reliance on internet servers.
Digital Foundry’s Jon Linneman expressed his concern with the optional Disc Drive being tied to servers:
When hardware is reliant on servers to connect in this way, it brings into question the product’s longevity. This is because it is totally dependent on those servers being online and available.
He later suggested that the reason could be linked to firmware updates, which would be a lot easier to mitigate.
VGC’s Andy Robinson went on to suggest that the requirement could be present for legal reasons. He suggests that the pairing method used is to prevent illegal modifications and replacements:
This may be partly due to Sect 1201 of the DMCA, which says it's illegal to "circumvent a technological measure that controls access to a copyrighted work".
— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) October 25, 2023
As such, Sony uses the pairing method to ensure people can't modify or replace a console's disc drive.
Some have made light of the situation and jokingly referenced Microsoft’s previous attempts at making the Xbox One an always-online console with DRM restrictions:
this is giving me bad memories pic.twitter.com/JDTlGasTlu
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) October 25, 2023
Either way, we’ll only know more about this required internet connection and its true meaning when the PS5 Slim and PS5 Slim Digital Edition are released. Be sure to check out our full guide on the release date, price, and specs of the PS5 Slim here!