From Ownership to Access: Sony, Digital Distribution, and the Future of Platform Governance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53748/jbms.v6i1.175Keywords:
platform governance, digital distribution, digital ecosystemAbstract
Physical ownership is giving way to digital access in the gaming industry. Platform operators have more control over the creation, distribution, and governance of value within their ecosystems as they place an increasing emphasis on digital distribution. Through the lens of platform ecosystem theory, this essay explores the strategic ramifications of digital distribution using Sony and the PlayStation ecosystem as a case study. In particular, it examines how digital distribution increases switching costs, amplifies indirect network effects, strengthens ecosystem governance, and gives platform operators more control over player, developer, and publisher interactions. Concerns about consumer autonomy, ownership rights, pricing transparency, and long-term platform dependence are raised by digital ecosystems, notwithstanding their benefits, which include ease, accessibility, and operational efficiency. The opinion makes the case that platform control and user trust must be balanced for ecosystem growth to be sustainable. Platform operators must implement governance measures that uphold consumer confidence, foster long-term ecosystem engagement, and promote transparency as gaming continues to transition from ownership to access. Digital gaming ecosystems' ability to sustain trust among the people who depend on them will be just as important to their future success as their efficiency and scalability.
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