Serkan Toto
Reporting and statements that mention Serkan Toto.
Latest coverage
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
Nintendo reportedly planning 20% production increase for Switch 2
Nintendo is reportedly planning a 20% increase in production for its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, aiming for 20 million units. This adjustment comes despite an earlier forecast of 16.5 million units for the next fiscal year. Analysts suggest Nintendo's strategy of initially lowballing numbers and then exceeding them is a common practice.
Nintendo Orders 20 Million Switch 2 Consoles for Fiscal Year 2027 – Rumor
Sources suggest Nintendo is planning to order 20 million units of the unannounced Switch 2 console for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, a potential increase over initial forecasts. Analyst Serkan Toto noted Nintendo's strategy of under-promising and over-delivering. The article also briefly mentions potential unannounced games and a rumored remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Nintendo ramps up Switch 2 production despite worldwide price hike
Nintendo is reportedly increasing production of the Nintendo Switch 2 to 20 million units by March 2027, despite projecting lower console sales for the upcoming fiscal year. This comes as the company announced a price increase for the console in Japan, the US, Canada, and Europe, effective September 1, 2026. The increased production suggests Nintendo is confident in exceeding its public sales outlook, potentially bolstered by a strong software lineup and rumors of a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
Bloomberg: Nintendo upping Switch 2 sales forecast by around 20%
Nintendo is reportedly increasing its sales forecast for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 by approximately 20%, aiming to manufacture more units to meet anticipated demand. Upcoming titles like Star Fox and a rumored The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are expected to drive sales. Industry analyst Serkan Toto noted that Nintendo often under-promises and over-delivers on sales figures.
Japan: Some retailers restricting Nintendo Switch 2 sales ahead of price increase
Nintendo has announced an upcoming price increase for the Nintendo Switch in Japan, leading to sell-outs at major retailers like Yodobashi and Bic Camera. Bic Camera has begun limiting sales at current prices to customers using their branded credit card, with other stores expected to follow suit before the increase takes effect in two weeks.
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, PS5 Pro’s Price Hikes Might Lead to PS6 Costing 50 Percent More, Say Analysts
Industry analysts predict that recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro could lead to the PlayStation 6 costing up to 50 percent more. Factors such as US economic policies, rising component costs, and market volatility are cited as reasons for the anticipated increase, potentially normalizing $1,000 console prices.
