Daniel Ahmad
Reporting and statements that mention Daniel Ahmad.
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Sony makes twice as much money from you on PS5 compared to PS4
Sony is prioritizing monetizing existing PlayStation 5 owners over acquiring new ones, as the company makes significantly more revenue per user on the current generation console compared to the PlayStation 4. This strategy focuses on recurring revenue from services like PlayStation Plus and digital purchases, while physical game sales decline.
Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Officially Announced, And It Sounds Pretty Great
Microsoft has officially announced its Disc-To-Digital program for Xbox, allowing players to digitize their physical game discs for Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles. This feature grants digital benefits like Xbox Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming, though it is tied to the specific disc and account. The program will exclude Xbox Series S owners and is expected to roll out to Xbox Insiders on August 31st before a wider release.
Sega Wants to Balance Physical and Digital in Parallel Following End of PlayStation Discs
Sega has stated it has no plans to cease production of physical game discs, aiming to balance physical and digital releases. This comes in response to Sony's announcement that it will end PlayStation disc production in January 2028. Industry analysts like Daniel Ahmad and Dr. Serkan Toto commented on Sony's decision, comparing it to Apple's shift away from disc drives and predicting Sony will not reverse its stance.
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."
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.
Mortal Shell 2’s Limited Physical Edition Sells Out on PS5
The physical "Revered Edition" of Mortal Shell 2 for PlayStation 5 has sold out due to high demand, exceeding publisher Playstack's expectations. While a limited supply issue, the sell-out highlights continued consumer interest in physical game releases. The game is set to launch on August 20th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
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.
"The conversation needs to shift to consumer rights": Amid PlayStation's physical shutdown, analyst clarifies viral remarks about nobody missing disc drives
Analyst Daniel Ahmad clarified his remarks comparing the end of physical PlayStation games to the removal of disc drives from PCs, emphasizing that the conversation should shift to consumer rights regarding digital ownership. He highlighted the superior consumer protections on PC platforms like Steam, such as gifting, family sharing, and refund policies, and suggested these should be legally mandated for all digital storefronts.
PlayStation Ending Discs is Like Apple Shipping PCs Without Disc Drives in 2008, Says Analyst
Analyst Daniel Ahmad compares Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production to Apple's removal of disc drives from PCs in 2008, suggesting the move is a future-facing inevitability driven by the dominance of digital sales. He notes that digital sales now account for around 80% on PlayStation and over 90% on Xbox, with physical media representing only about 5% of Sony's software revenue. Ahmad believes this shift allows Sony to increase margins, strengthen its ecosystem by preventing game resales, and focus on higher-spending core gamers.
Analyst says Sony going all-in on digital is like the death of PC disc drives: 'Not a single person is complaining…
Analyst Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners compares Sony's decision to stop producing physical game discs by 2028 to Apple removing CD drives from laptops, noting the shift towards digital sales is an inevitable platform-led push. While acknowledging potential consumer rights concerns, Ahmad suggests the trend is driven by the overwhelming majority of digital sales and Sony's increased profitability from its closed digital marketplace.
'If not PS6, then PS7' — Analyst says PlayStation ending physical discs was bound to happen as 'the console ecosystem is nearly entirely digital at this point'
Analyst Daniel Ahmad believes Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation disc production in 2028 was inevitable due to the significant shift towards digital sales, which now account for around 80% on PlayStation and over 90% on Xbox. This move aligns with Sony's strategy to create a high-margin, closed digital ecosystem, controlling all software sales and eliminating the used game market.
PlayStation ending physical games is "like Apple removing the CD Drive from its laptops," says analyst: "Not a single person is complaining about it today"
Analyst Daniel Ahmad compares Sony's move away from physical PlayStation games to Apple's removal of CD drives from laptops, arguing the shift to digital is inevitable. He cites high digital sales percentages and publisher preferences for higher margins, while also discussing the future cost of consoles and the importance of consumer rights in a digital-first market.
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.
Med 16 miljoner ex är Meccha Chameleon årets mest sålda spel
Meccha Chameleon has become the best-selling game of the year, selling 16 million copies in less than a month since its June 10 release. Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad confirmed it is the fastest-selling game of the year. The game is a hide-and-seek title where players paint their figures to blend into their chosen hiding spots.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s $80 Price Won’t Change Current $70 Baseline for AAA Games, Say Analysts
Industry analysts suggest that Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point will not immediately shift the AAA game baseline but may lead to more pricing variance. While some marquee titles might adopt higher prices, many games will likely stick to the $70 baseline due to consumer sensitivity and the need to 'earn' higher prices through established franchise value. Companies like Nintendo and Rockstar Games have unique pricing power due to their strong brand recognition and perceived value.
Gaming Hardware Prices Are Likely Going to Go Even Higher, Say Analysts
Industry analysts predict that gaming hardware prices will continue to rise due to factors like RAM costs, geopolitical situations, and currency fluctuations. While some regions like Asia and MENA are showing resilience, Western markets are particularly affected by these price hikes. Experts suggest that a higher pricing floor for gaming hardware is likely, potentially shifting the industry towards subscription and cloud-based models.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour Dev Defends GenAI Use
Kenji Kanno, the original creator of Crazy Taxi, has defended Sega's use of generative AI in the development of Crazy Taxi: World Tour, stating that AI is used only as a reference for artists. The game's publisher, Sega, confirmed that generative AI was used for background assets, with all AI-generated content reviewed by human developers. Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad noted that while genAI use is more accepted in Asian markets, there's little evidence of a negative sales impact for disclosed AI usage in games.
State of Play's Special Alamo Drafthouse Menu Has Leaked, And Here's What Sony's Cooking
A special menu for Sony's State of Play broadcast at Alamo Drafthouse theaters has leaked online, featuring items themed around the upcoming game Marvel's Wolverine. The leak, shared by analyst Daniel Ahmad, reveals food and drink options related to the X-Men character. This marks the first State of Play to be shown in theaters across the United States.
007 First Light’s Teaser Reveals Cameo by TikTok Influencer Khaby Lame
IO Interactive released a teaser for 007 First Light revealing a cameo by TikTok influencer Khaby Lame, who was scanned and had his outfits designed for the game. Analyst Daniel Ahmad suggested this marketing move aims to boost pre-order sales due to slow initial interest. The game is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch version delayed.
007 First Light’s Opening Sales “Aren’t Tracking Well”, Says Analyst
Analyst Daniel Ahmad reports that opening sales for IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, are not tracking well, prompting the studio to employ unique marketing strategies to boost pre-orders. Ahmad compared the current audience interest to that of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle rather than Uncharted, suggesting a niche appeal beyond existing James Bond and Hitman fans. The game is set to launch on May 27th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch version planned for later in the summer.
