Tag

Physical Games

All articles tagged with #physical games

business1 hour ago•13 min saved

GameStop CEO Declares Physical Games Irrelevant, Eyes $1 Trillion via eBay Merger

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen says the end of physical game discs is totally irrelevant to the company’s future, highlighting a pivot toward collectibles like Funko Pops and trading cards where game sales are a minority of revenue. With about 18% of revenue from games and 41% from collectibles, Cohen has pushed for a $55 billion bid to acquire eBay, arguing a GameStop–eBay merger could become a $1 trillion business, even as GTA 6’s digital-only trajectory raises questions about used-game sales.

via Kotaku|

#business #ebay #gamestop

news3 days ago•14 min saved

UK Retailers cry foul as Sony gears for disc-free future

Britain's Entertainment Retailers Association blasted Sony's plan to retire PlayStation game discs in 2028, calling it a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice because discs offer true ownership, sharing, gifting and long-term preservation unlike download licenses. ERA notes that about 45% of last year's physical UK game sales were PS4/PS5 titles, underscoring ongoing demand for physical media, and cites that roughly a quarter of under-25s still use discs. The industry argues digital should complement rather than replace physical, and while a petition and growing coverage push back against disc elimination, Sony is not expected to reverse course.

via Kotaku|

#consumer-choice #news #physical-games

games5 days ago•13 min saved

Sony Phasing Out Physical Game Discs by 2028, and a Former PS Boss Shares Fan Sadness

Sony will stop producing physical disc releases of its games starting in 2028. Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden calls the decision dramatic and, as a fan, “sad,” noting there’s likely significant financial analysis behind it. Kojima and physical-game collectors have also expressed sorrow. On the upside, Santa Monica says a physical God of War Laufey release will arrive before the 2028 cutoff.

via Kotaku|

#digital-games #discs #games

news5 days ago•13 min saved

God of War Laufey to Get a Disc Release Ahead of Sony’s 2028 Physical-Only Era

Kotaku reports God of War Laufey will be released on disc, hinting at a 2027 launch window and signaling that physical copies will persist before Sony ends discs in 2028. A San Diego Comic-Con panel is planned on July 24 with the developers and cast, but the exact release date remains unconfirmed. The broader questions include whether PS6 will support future discs and how Sony will handle physical libraries, while Microsoft is reportedly exploring digitizing Xbox disc licenses through Project Helix.

via Kotaku|

#comic-con #god-of-war-laufey #news

news6 days ago•13 min saved

EU Won’t Block Sony’s Pivot to All-Digital PS Games

An EU commissioner says the European Union can’t force Sony to keep producing physical PlayStation discs; Sony announced it will stop printing physical Blu-ray game discs for new releases starting in 2028, moving to an all-digital lineup, with existing physical copies remaining for years. Commissioner Michael McGrath emphasized commercial and contractual freedoms and that consumer rights must be protected, while acknowledging the EU can’t pass laws to preserve games or keep servers running. The Commission plans a voluntary code of conduct for game preservation, but Sony’s shift to digital is proceeding as planned.

via Kotaku|

#consumer-rights #eu #news

technology11 days ago•15 min saved

Kojima Warns: A Future Without Physical PlayStation Discs Isn’t Worth Saving

Hideo Kojima reacted to Sony’s plan to phase out PlayStation game discs by 2028, saying he’s saddened by a shift away from physical media. He argues that while games are downloaded and stay on your hardware, a move to streaming would mean you don’t truly own the data, since servers control access. The interview has amplified broader fears about digital ownership as console makers weigh all-digital futures, with questions also hanging over PS6 features and how competitors are handling physical media.

via Kotaku|

#death-stranding #hideo-kojima #physical-games

gaming11 days ago•97 min saved

Gamers resist digital-only future: majority still want physical disks and choice

Windows Central's poll (1,577 votes) finds 71% will miss physical games as PlayStation/Xbox move toward digital-only, with 13% in favor of digital-only. Readers cite concerns about ownership, game preservation, and rising digital storefront costs, and many advocate hybrid options (external disc drives, disc-to-digital ideas, multiple SKUs) to preserve consumer choice and access to purchases rather than a full digital takeover.

via Windows Central|

#digital-distribution #game-preservation #gaming

games1 month ago•13 min saved

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.

via Kotaku|

#day-one-patch #games #gothic

business3 months ago•10 min saved

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.

via Ars Technica|

#business #digital-games #nintendo

technology6 months ago•1 min saved

Nintendo Plans Cheaper Cartridges as Alternative to Switch 2 Game Key Cards

A retro game publisher, ININ Games, hinted at the possibility of smaller, cheaper Switch 2 cartridges, which could benefit physical game releases, but Nintendo has not officially confirmed these details, and the information was later retracted by the publisher.

via Engadget|

#cartridges #game-publishing #nintendo

technology11 months ago•5 min saved

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.

via Gizmodo|

#digital-rights-management #game-ownership #nintendo

technology1 year ago•3 min saved

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.

via GamesRadar+|

#deals #gaming #physical-games

technology1 year ago•4 min saved

The Decline of Physical Games and Xbox's Shift to Digital

Microsoft is increasingly shifting towards digital-only releases for Xbox games, reducing physical editions and raising concerns about game preservation and consumer choice, despite official statements suggesting a balanced approach.

via Kotaku|

#digital-only #gaming-industry #microsoft

interview-gaming-physical-releases-nintendo-switch-2-marvelous-usa1 year ago•7 min saved

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.

via RPG Site|

#game-key-card #interview-gaming-physical-releases-nintendo-switch-2-marvelous-usa #marvelous-usa

gaming2 years ago•1 min saved

"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.

via Insider Gaming|

#digital-games #gaming #gaming-consoles