Kantan Games
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The Nintendo Switch would have "completely eliminated" the Japanese console market if it became "another…
Analyst Serkan Toto believes the Nintendo Switch's immense success was crucial for the Japanese console market, preventing its potential elimination. He suggests that another failure like the Wii U could have driven consumers towards smartphones and PC gaming, significantly altering the industry landscape.
'Brick and mortar game retail is doomed' — Analysts report $7.2 billion second-hand game market could be in danger thanks to Sony's plan to retire the production of physical discs
Analysts predict the $7.2 billion used game market is in danger due to Sony's plan to end the production of physical discs starting in January 2028. Experts like Michael Pachter believe this will lead to the demise of brick-and-mortar game retail, while others like Kazunori Ito note that the market will shrink and eventually disappear. Sony cites a shift towards digital sales and community preference as reasons for the change.
PlayStation Ending Disc Production is “Extremely Anti-Consumer”, “Truly Ironic”, Say Analysts
Analysts are calling Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028 "extremely anti-consumer" and "truly ironic," predicting it will damage the industry's value and eliminate the $7.2 billion used game market. Despite Sony citing consumer trends, experts like Michael Pachter and Kazunori Ito argue it reduces consumer choice and is a "triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice."
Industry analyst reports only 7 PlayStation games 'have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date' in the US, as fans demand Sony kill its plan to end the production of discs
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella reports that only seven PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical units in the US year-to-date, with only two selling over 10,000 in a single week. This data emerges as fans protest Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in January 2028, though analysts suggest the company will not reverse its decision due to the profitability of digital sales.
Two PlayStation Games Sold Over 10,000 Physical Copies in the Week Ending on July 11th – Analyst
Analyst Mat Piscatella noted that only two PlayStation games sold over 10,000 physical copies in the week ending July 11th, with only seven exceeding 100,000 for the year. Despite fan backlash, retailers like GameStop are not opposing Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, citing a natural shift towards digital media preferences.
GameStop CEO Says Physical Games Media “is Totally, Totally Irrelevant”
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen stated that physical game media is "totally, totally irrelevant" to the company's business model, shifting focus to trading card games. This comes as Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, a move analysts believe is permanent despite backlash. Experts suggest Sony will not reverse the decision due to the profitability of digital sales.
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 subscriptions
Analysts 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.
Backlash Against PlayStation Ending Physical Discs Won’t Result in Plans Changing, Say Analysts
Analysts believe Sony will not reverse its decision to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, despite industry backlash. Experts like Serkan Toto and Daniel Ahmad suggest that while Sony may acknowledge the criticism, the financial benefits of digital sales make a reversal unlikely. The move is seen as a natural progression driven by consumer trends and Sony's need to improve profit margins.
Your Loyalty To Sony Or Xbox Means Nothing, Analyst Says
Analyst Mat Piscatella states that consumer loyalty to platforms like PlayStation or Xbox means nothing to corporations, as profitability is the sole driver. With the projected high cost of future consoles and the significantly higher margins on digital game sales compared to physical discs, companies like Sony are prioritizing digital distribution. This shift is seen as irreversible due to the lucrative nature of digital sales, despite concerns about game preservation.
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 run
Analysts 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 Nintendo
An 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... | TAG
Multiple 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 Say
Experts 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 Surge
Crimson 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 - IGN
Pearl 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 System
Microsoft'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 Decade
Microsoft 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.
