Mat Piscatella
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PlayStation boycott made "no significant change at all in player count or engagement" with Sony's media…
A boycott initiated by PlayStation fans against the company's move away from physical disc production has had no significant impact on player count or engagement, according to analyst Mat Piscatella. Despite fan outcry and concerns about digital ownership, Sony appears unaffected by the 'PSBlackout' movement.
Top 20 best-selling GameCube games of all time in the U.S. revealed
New sales data from Circana's Mat Piscatella reveals the top 20 best-selling GameCube games in the U.S., coinciding with the console's 25th anniversary. Nintendo titles dominate the list, with Super Smash Bros. Melee leading, followed by Super Mario Sunshine and Mario Kart: Double Dash. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is the highest-ranking third-party title at number eight.
PS5 Blackout Made No Difference To Player Numbers, Apparently
Despite a protest from PlayStation fans regarding Sony's disc drive decisions, analytics expert Mat Piscatella stated that player numbers on the PlayStation 5 remained unaffected. The article questions the impact of the protest and what actions gamers might take next.
More than 40% of people cancelling Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions blame rising costs
Rising costs are increasingly cited as the primary reason for cancellations of Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions in the US. According to analyst Mat Piscatella, over 40% of users cancelling these services now blame cost, a higher figure than earlier in the year. This trend aligns with general price increases across gaming hardware and software.
US console sales hit new low in July as physical Xbox games plummet
US video game hardware sales in July reached $282 million, a 29% decrease from the previous year and the lowest July since 2020, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. This decline is attributed to rising console prices and a component crisis impacting the PC and mobile markets. Physical Xbox game sales also saw a significant drop, accounting for only 4% of total physical game sales for the month, suggesting a potential shift towards digital-only distribution for the platform.
RAM shortage shoves PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo's US sales "to a July low not seen since 2020" as price…
US console hardware sales in July 2026 hit a low not seen since 2020, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. This downturn is attributed to the impact of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch last year, ongoing component shortages, particularly RAM, driving up prices, and higher hardware costs affecting PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series sales. Despite a 39% drop in hardware sales and a 16% increase in average system price, anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 and the holiday season may boost sales later.
US physical game sales drop to lowest monthly total since 1995 | US Monthly Charts
US physical game sales in July reached their lowest point since 1995, totaling $85 million. Hardware spending also saw a significant decline of 29% year-over-year, reaching $282 million, the lowest July total since 2020. Despite these drops, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 topped the charts, driven by its PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 port.
Gaming Hardware Spending in US for July 2026 Was The Lowest Since 2020, Says Analyst
US gaming hardware spending in July 2026 reached its lowest point since 2020, falling 29% year-on-year to $282 million, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. This downturn affected all platforms, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch sales declining, exacerbated by a 16% increase in average hardware prices due to component shortages. Despite overall declines, the Nintendo Switch 2 led in unit sales, while Resident Evil Requiem topped software charts.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
PlayStation and Xbox's most played games are, once again, exactly what you expect them to be
Analyst Mat Piscatella revealed that the most played games on PlayStation and Xbox remain dominated by long-running live service titles and annual sports games, with minimal changes year-over-year. Fortnite leads both platforms, followed by a familiar lineup including Roblox, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto 5, with minor variations between the console ecosystems.
Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto 5 Continue to Top PS5, Xbox Series X/S Most-Played Charts in the US
Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto 5 continue to dominate the most-played game charts on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in the US, according to data from Circana's Mat Piscatella. The lists are largely comprised of long-running live-service titles and annual sports games, with only a few new releases like Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls and Shift at Midnight making brief appearances in the top 20.
Halo: Campaign Evolved was the 4th most popular game on Xbox at launch in the US but only 29th on PS5, analyst says
Halo: Campaign Evolved saw a strong launch in the US, ranking fourth in daily active users on Xbox, with 8% of players engaging with the game. However, its performance was lower on PC (14th place, 2% of users) and PlayStation 5 (29th place, 1% of users). Analyst Mat Piscatella noted that while the game is a best-seller on PlayStation 5, the data highlights the challenge new titles face against established live service games.
PlayStation’s disc era ends in 2028, and Sony’s own sales data shows why it won’t budge
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease manufacturing PlayStation game discs in January 2028, citing the overall progression of content digitalization. Despite player backlash and concerns about physical media preservation, the company stated it will cautiously move forward with this decision. Analysts suggest Sony's move is driven by the significantly higher profit margins of digital sales compared to physical disc sales.
Every YouTube video PlayStation posts has hundreds of comments about physical discs
Sony Interactive Entertainment is facing significant backlash on YouTube following its announcement to discontinue physical game disc production for PlayStation consoles starting January 2028. Despite a clear industry shift towards digital distribution, with 78% of PlayStation games sold digitally in FY25, many fans are expressing their dissatisfaction in the comments sections of Sony's videos. Senior Director Sid Shuman cited evolving consumer preferences as the reason for the transition.
Xbox Game Pass failed to hit subscriber targets because most people don't play lots of games, says analyst, and going indie won't save it: "I don't see a solution"
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella suggests that Xbox Game Pass failed to meet subscriber targets primarily because the average consumer does not play many games. He argues that focusing on indie titles would further alienate the mainstream audience and worsen the service's outlook. Piscatella believes that the subscription model itself faces significant challenges in the current market, stating he sees no viable solution for Game Pass's struggles.
Sony May Have the Data on Its Side, but It’s Still Losing the Digital-Only Argument
Sony's decision to move to digital-only games by 2028 has faced significant backlash, with consumers concerned about game preservation and the loss of physical media. Despite this, the company has remained largely silent, possibly anticipating the reaction and relying on declining physical sales data. The article questions the long-term viability of an all-digital future, citing potential issues with online infrastructure and the importance of physical media for certain markets and consumer preferences.
Nintendo Switch 2 Tops US Charts in June as Hardware Spending Plummets by 62 Percent Year-Over-Year
US video game spending in June plummeted by 62% year-over-year to $383 million, largely due to the absence of a major new console launch like the previous year's Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch 2 remained the top-selling platform in units and dollars, though its sales also declined. Despite overall spending drops, the first six months of the year saw only a one percent decrease compared to last year, with Grand Theft Auto 6's upcoming November release anticipated to boost numbers significantly.
Sony Issued “Strict” Social Media Guidelines Following Physical Disc Announcement – Rumor
Sony has reportedly implemented strict social media guidelines for employees following the announcement that PlayStation disc production will cease in January 2028. Former Santa Monica Studio writer Alanah Pearce stated these guidelines are the strictest she has seen, indicating Sony anticipated backlash. The company cited a shift in consumer trends towards digital media as the reason for ending physical disc production.
EA Sports UFC 6 and Meccha Chameleon Dominated US Software Sales Charts for June
US video game software sales in June saw EA Sports UFC 6 top the charts, followed by Meccha Chameleon. Despite strong individual game sales and upcoming releases like Grand Theft Auto 6, overall spending dropped 12 percent year-on-year, with hardware sales also experiencing a significant decline.
Xbox Sales “More Than Doubled” In June 2026 In The US, While PS5 And Switch 2 Dropped
According to Circana's latest US video game industry report, Xbox Series X|S sales more than doubled in June 2026 compared to the previous year, marking the best month of 2026 for the platform. In contrast, PlayStation 5 unit sales dropped 43% and Nintendo Switch 2 unit sales fell 78%. Despite Xbox's growth, total US hardware spending decreased by 62% to $383 million, with the Nintendo Switch 2 remaining the best-selling platform by unit and dollar sales for both June 2026 and the year-to-date.