Kantan Games
Kantan Games business and news from across the web.
Sony "will not reverse" plan to kill physical PlayStation games, analyst says: "They knew what the online reaction would look like, and they now wait for this storm to pass"Sony plans to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs in 2028, a decision an analyst believes will not be reversed despite industry backlash. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games suggests that Sony's large user base and lucrative digital sales make the move cost-effective, with potential impacts on Xbox and Nintendo's strategies.
Analysts say that 'digital is just too lucrative' for Sony and that PlayStation 'will not reverse' its decision to end physical disc production even in the face of fans cancelling PS Plus subscriptionsAnalysts believe Sony will not reverse its decision to end physical disc production by 2028, despite fan backlash and subscription cancellations. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games stated that digital sales are significantly more lucrative for Sony, making the potential loss of 1% of PlayStation Plus subscribers insufficient to alter the company's strategy. The profit margins for digital sales, especially for first-party titles where Sony retains 100% of the revenue, far outweigh those of physical copies.
Analysts expect GTA 6 could sell up to 30 million copies at launch, but are unsure if it can "surpass the incredible longevity and massive sales of 5" in the long runAnalysts predict Grand Theft Auto 6 will achieve massive launch sales, potentially reaching 30 million units, but question its long-term longevity compared to Grand Theft Auto 5's sustained success. Factors like the game's $80 price point and the limited initial console install base are discussed as potential influences on its long-term performance, with some analysts expecting per-player spending to be higher despite potentially lower overall sales than its predecessor.
Analyst Predicts A "Silent" Year Ahead For NintendoAn analyst predicts a "relatively silent" fiscal year for Nintendo due to expected price hikes on the Nintendo Switch 2 and a predicted drop in console sales. Despite this outlook, Nintendo Life suggests the year may not be as quiet as predicted, citing upcoming games and potential remakes, alongside a planned Legend of Zelda movie.
April 2026: Switch 2 Drops Fortnite, GTA, Mario & Perso... | TAGMultiple reports indicate potential price increases for the Nintendo Switch 2, with experts suggesting a price point over $450 by year's end due to rising component costs. Meanwhile, Kena: Bridge of Spirits receives a Switch 2 port that offers little improvement over previous versions. Sony is also reportedly increasing prices for the PlayStation 5 lineup, with a PS5 Pro potentially costing $900.
A Nintendo Switch 2 price hike "could be likely" after PS5's increase, game analysts suggest: "I would be very surprised if the Switch was still $450 in the US at the end of 2026"Game analysts suggest a potential price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2, following Sony's recent price hike for the PlayStation 5. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games believes the Switch 2 could cost $450 in the US by the end of 2026, citing global economic factors and rising console prices like the Xbox Series X 2TB model.
Get Ready To Pay More For A Switch 2, Experts SayExperts and industry figures suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 may experience a price increase, potentially by the end of the year, due to rising component costs and market trends. While Nintendo has not confirmed a price hike, companies like Sony and Microsoft have recently increased prices for their consoles. Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, stated that while no decision has been made, the company will monitor market conditions and profitability if memory costs continue to rise.
PS5 Pricing Strategy Gives Flexibility for Deals if 'Things Surprisingly Get Better'Sony has implemented a significant price increase for the PlayStation 5 console, with the Digital Edition now costing $599.99 and the PS5 Pro at $899.99. Analyst Serkan Toto suggests this strategy allows Sony flexibility for future deals if economic conditions improve, opting for one large increase rather than frequent smaller adjustments.
Crimson Desert’s Turnaround Led To A “Whoopsie Moment” for Investors as Share Prices SurgeCrimson Desert has seen a significant surge in its stock price for developer Pearl Abyss, following initial poor reception and subsequent fixes. The game has achieved 3 million copies sold, leading to a notable increase in investor confidence, a phenomenon Dr. Serkan Toto notes is common in Asian markets.
'Apparently Not Good Enough for Investors' — Crimson Desert Publisher Stock Price Plunges Nearly 30% Amid 78 Metacritic Score - IGNPearl Abyss, the publisher and developer of Crimson Desert, experienced a nearly 30% drop in its stock price following the release of review scores for the game, which fell short of investor expectations. Despite the stock market reaction, early sales data for Crimson Desert on Steam is strong, and the game is performing well on the PlayStation sales chart.
Xbox Project Helix Gets Key Updates, Including When Developers Will Get The SystemMicrosoft's Xbox division provided updates on its next-generation Project Helix platform at the Game Developers Conference. Alpha development kits are slated to be distributed to developers in 2027, with the platform featuring custom AMD silicon, advanced raytracing, and neural rendering capabilities. Industry analysts predict a high price point for the console, potentially starting at $900.
Project Helix Has Apparently Been In The Works For More Than A DecadeMicrosoft has announced its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, which will support both Xbox and PC games. This initiative to converge the two platforms has reportedly been in development for over a decade. Analysts predict a high price point for the console and suggest it may be Microsoft's final attempt to solidify its hardware business.
Xbox Hardware Business Could Die If Project Helix Doesn't Work Out, Analyst SaysIndustry analyst Serkan Toto suggests that Microsoft's Xbox hardware business may cease to exist if the upcoming 'Project Helix' system, designed to integrate console and PC gaming, fails. Toto believes this is Microsoft's final significant attempt to revitalize its hardware sales, emphasizing the need for Project Helix to offer compelling advantages over PC gaming platforms like Steam Machine. The success of Project Helix is seen as crucial for the future of the Xbox brand.