The new PS5 Slim requires an internet connection to connect the drive

For all those people who are thinking about picking up Sony’s upcoming mini version for PlayStation 5Just know that the company is watching you when you set up the console’s new detachable drive.

Twitter account Charlie Intel Posted photos on Tuesday of the new Modern Warfare III PS5 slim pack. This was for the new, thinner PlayStation 5 with the disc drive already included, with a potential release date of November 10 indicated. Eagle-eyed Twitter users spotted the fine print at the bottom of the box. One asterisk says: “Internet connection required to pair drive and PS5 controller upon setup.”

This means that the new version of PlayStation requires an internet connection to pair the drive with the console itself, even if the drive was previously connected. The console is sold in two versions, a $450 digital version and a $500 version with a disc drive. The company also sells the drive separately for $80.

Gizmodo has reached out to Sony for confirmation, but based on the box text Sony may have added A type of digital rights management for devices for its drive.

Images from Sony show that users need to remove one of the console’s side panels to install the drive. Sony may be concerned that users will go out and buy aftermarket drives to connect to their console, or worse, modify the device with some other module that plugs through those same slots.

Although most first-time buyers will likely have an internet connection when they first boot up the new slim console, the issue could persist for years when Sony eventually abandons its PS5 servers. When this happens, users will have no way to activate their drive to play old games.

Sony is very protective of how users interact with its devices. It took Sony nearly a year after releasing the PS5 before that Permissible Users to add more internal data storage. Back in 2020, Wired Reported based on teardowns of major consoles that have a PS5 drive paired with the motherboard. The console will simply refuse to recognize any new drive, even if it comes from a different PS5.

All modern console makers are very protective of their hardware. Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony have it They managed to exclude themselves from upcoming legislation relating to the right to repair in California, claiming they fear users will modify their devices and pirate more games. Of course, there are many other device manufacturers that have tried to isolate their devices, e.g Printers And DishwashersWhich results in a worse user experience, especially for those who want to self-repair their devices.