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Physical Games

All articles tagged with #physical games

Gothic Remake Physical Copies Require Day-One Patch, Sparking Preservation Worries
games8 days ago

Gothic Remake Physical Copies Require Day-One Patch, Sparking Preservation Worries

Physical copies of THQ's Gothic remake won’t be playable out of the box; a day-one ~5 GB patch is required to enable play, after which the game can run offline. While not needing a constant online connection, the patch dependency raises preservation concerns since future access to the update may vanish. The Gothic remake launches June 5 on consoles and PC, and THQ says copies were shipped ahead to ensure day-one play.

Switch 2 physical game prices rise above digital starting in May
business2 months ago

Switch 2 physical game prices rise above digital starting in May

Beginning in May, new Switch 2-first-party physical releases will cost more than their digital counterparts, starting with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book ($70 physical vs $60 digital). Nintendo says the difference reflects production and distribution costs, though retailers can set their own prices and it’s not yet clear if the premium will always be exactly $10. The change applies to new releases only; existing physical releases are not affected by this policy shift.

Nintendo's Switch 2 Game Cards: Storage Expansion and Consumer Feedback
technology9 months ago

Nintendo's Switch 2 Game Cards: Storage Expansion and Consumer Feedback

Nintendo's Switch 2 is introducing game-key cards that act as download links rather than full physical copies, raising concerns about game ownership, preservation, and DRM. Critics argue this shift favors digital control over true ownership, risking the loss of access if servers go offline or if physical tokens are lost, potentially marking the end of physical game ownership for many players.

Top Prime Day Gaming Deals: PS5, Xbox, and Accessories
technology10 months ago

Top Prime Day Gaming Deals: PS5, Xbox, and Accessories

Early Prime Day deals offer significant discounts on PS5 games like Dragon Ball Sparking Zero and Indiana Jones, with further savings expected during the official sale. The article advocates for buying physical PS5 games due to cost savings and the ability to lend games, despite the convenience of digital. It also highlights other Prime Day gaming accessories deals and emphasizes the ongoing love for gaming hardware and software.

Publishers Emphasize Commitment to Physical Switch 2 Games

Ken Berry, CEO of Marvelous USA, discusses their commitment to high-quality physical game releases for Nintendo Switch 2, emphasizing full ROM cartridges over digital codes, their long-standing philosophy of adding value through creative packaging, and the challenges of launching on a new platform with unique manufacturing timelines.

"Xbox's Phil Spencer Affirms Support for Physical Games Amid Digital Shift Speculation"
gaming2 years ago

"Xbox's Phil Spencer Affirms Support for Physical Games Amid Digital Shift Speculation"

Xbox head Phil Spencer stated that the company's strategy does not depend on a complete shift to all-digital gaming and getting rid of physical games, despite the challenges associated with manufacturing drives. He emphasized that Xbox will continue to follow consumer behavior and offer options for both disc and discless consoles, indicating that physical games will remain part of the future of Xbox.

"European Retailers Cease Stocking Physical Xbox Games"
gaming2 years ago

"European Retailers Cease Stocking Physical Xbox Games"

Some European retailers are reportedly no longer stocking physical Xbox games due to low sales, with indications that Xbox is pushing away from physical releases. This potential shift reflects the industry's increasing digital dominance, as major Xbox games are becoming digital-only and reports suggest a future console refresh may remove the disc drive.

European Retailers Cease Stocking Physical Xbox Games
gaming2 years ago

European Retailers Cease Stocking Physical Xbox Games

Several European retailers are reportedly no longer stocking physical Xbox games due to low sales, with claims that Microsoft has shuttered departments dedicated to bringing physical games to market. Legal documents leaked in September revealed potential plans for an all-digital Xbox Series X console, while some AAA games are already seeing over 80% digital sales on Xbox.

"Microsoft Layoffs: Impact on Xbox, Blizzard, and Seattle Workforces"
gaming2 years ago

"Microsoft Layoffs: Impact on Xbox, Blizzard, and Seattle Workforces"

Microsoft has reportedly shut down departments dedicated to bringing physical Xbox games to retail as part of mass layoffs, leading to speculation about the company's future in physical game distribution. While it's not confirmed that Microsoft is quitting physical retail for Xbox games, the industry seems to be favoring a digital-only approach. Limited Run, a physical games publisher, has expressed its commitment to supporting Xbox physical releases whenever possible, but noted that the majority of Xbox gamers are digital-first. Additionally, there are reports of layoffs affecting internal customer support teams for Activision Blizzard games and significant staff reductions at Sledgehammer Games.

AI Robot Shatters Records, Masters Physical Games in Record Time
artificial-intelligence2 years ago

AI Robot Shatters Records, Masters Physical Games in Record Time

An AI developed by researchers at ETH Zurich has mastered the physical board game Labyrinth in just six hours. Using model-based reinforcement learning and advanced planning algorithms, the AI robot, called CyberRunner, was able to navigate the maze faster than any previously recorded time. The achievement demonstrates how AI can solve physical-world problems through vision, physical interaction, and machine learning.

Tesco follows GameStop's lead, discontinues physical video games
business2 years ago

Tesco follows GameStop's lead, discontinues physical video games

UK supermarket Tesco will no longer stock physical video games in its 2,800 stores, citing a shift towards digital entertainment among its customers. However, digital points cards will still be available. This comes as GameStop Ireland closes all 35 of its stores, reflecting the declining demand for physical games. The UK games market has seen a rapid acceleration towards digital, with less than 18% of major game sales in June being through physical stores.