Resident Evil Requiem's Physical Sales Outpace Entire Xbox Revenue Amid Sony's Digital Push

Key points

• Resident Evil Requiem sold 1.3 million physical copies on PlayStation, generating 1.8 times more revenue than all Xbox versions combined.
• Physical sales accounted for 30.2% of Requiem's PlayStation revenue and 15% of its total revenue across all platforms.
• Other single-player titles like 007 First Light and Marvel's Wolverine also showed strong physical sales shares, ranging from 29% to 32.3%.
• Sports and multiplayer games, such as FC 27, had much lower physical sales shares, at just 8.9%.
• Sony's digital-only PS5 Black launched in Japan for $350, with a separate disc drive sold for $75, signaling a push toward digital adoption.

Background

Sony has been moving toward a digital-only future for its PlayStation consoles, with plans to phase out physical media by January 2028. This shift has sparked debate among consumers and industry analysts about the value of physical media for game preservation and access. Earlier coverage noted that Wolverine's physical sales defied expectations, with 35% of sales attributed to boxed copies, challenging Sony's digital-only strategy. Additionally, Sony veterans Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes recreated a viral PS4 game-sharing video at Tokyo Game Show 2026, symbolizing the upcoming shift to an all-digital ecosystem.

How outlets are covering it

Eurogamer emphasizes the surprising strength of physical sales for single-player titles like Resident Evil Requiem, noting that physical copies generated more revenue on PlayStation than all Xbox versions combined. TechPowerUp highlights the broader trend, pointing out that while physical sales remain a minority of total PlayStation revenue, they are significant for narrative-driven games. Both sources agree that Sony's digital-only strategy is facing resistance from consumers who prefer physical media, but they differ in emphasis: Eurogamer focuses on the cultural significance of physical sales in Japan, while TechPowerUp highlights the financial implications for Sony, noting that digital media offers higher margins and lower shipping costs.

Why it matters

The strong performance of physical sales for single-player titles like Resident Evil Requiem challenges Sony's digital-only strategy and highlights consumer preference for physical media in narrative-driven games. This trend may influence Sony's decision to continue or reconsider its transition to a digital-only ecosystem, as physical sales remain a significant revenue source for certain types of games. Additionally, the launch of the digital-only PS5 Black in Japan signals Sony's commitment to its digital strategy, despite consumer resistance.

What to watch

Sony is expected to continue its transition to a digital-only ecosystem, with plans to phase out physical media by January 2028. However, the strong performance of physical sales for single-player titles may influence Sony's decision to reconsider its strategy. Additionally, the launch of the digital-only PS5 Black in Japan will be closely watched to gauge consumer acceptance of Sony's digital-only approach.