James McWhirter
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The disc is dying, but the box isn’t – what will a "physical game" actually mean in 2030?
The definition of a "physical game" is evolving as digital sales grow and disc production declines. While Sony plans to end disc production for PlayStation in 2028, experts suggest the physical box may persist, potentially containing download codes or acting as a collector's item. The value of physical ownership will increasingly depend on rights like lending and resale, rather than the presence of a disc.
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.
"It's a totally crazy market" – The seismic impact of the AI boom on video game hardware
The surge in demand for AI data centers has caused a significant shortage and price increase for consumer hardware components like RAM and GPUs. This impacts gaming hardware manufacturers such as Nintendo, Valve, and Sony, leading to higher prices for consoles like the PlayStation 5 and potentially delaying new hardware launches like the Steam Machine. The increased costs also affect game development studios by raising the price of essential development hardware.
