Digital Distribution
Ongoing coverage on Digital Distribution.
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Helldivers 2 and Horizon Forbidden West Vanish From Steam in the UK Because of a Sony “Issue”
Sony has confirmed that Helldivers 2 and Horizon Forbidden West were accidentally removed from sale on Steam in the UK. The company is working with Valve to resolve the issue, though the cause of the removal remains unclear.
As Horizon Forbidden West and Helldivers 2 vanish from Steam in the UK, Sony confirms there's an ongoing issue and…
Players in the UK have reported that Horizon Forbidden West and Helldivers 2 have been delisted from Steam. Sony Interactive Entertainment confirmed awareness of the issue affecting select titles in the UK and is working with Valve to resolve it, apologizing for the inconvenience.
Helldivers 2 and Horizon Forbidden West delisted from Steam in the UK, Sony say they're "working with Valve to address the issue"
Helldivers 2 and Horizon Forbidden West have been delisted from the Steam store in the UK, preventing new purchases. Sony has stated they are aware of the issue and are working with Valve to resolve it. The games remain playable for existing owners, but this regional restriction has caused concern among players.
Resident Evil director Zach Cregger weighs in on PlayStation ending physical games: "I'm not a physical media…
Resident Evil director Zach Cregger shared his perspective on the shift from physical to digital game distribution, stating he is not a physical media enthusiast due to his tendency to lose or damage items. While acknowledging concerns about digital ownership, he finds downloading games more convenient as it ensures they are always accessible.
Sony is Ending PlayStation Discs Despite Commercial Success to “Control” The Market, says Analyst
An analyst suggests Sony is ending PlayStation disc production in January 2028 to control the market and prioritize digital revenue, despite strong commercial success from physical releases like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Ghost of Yōtei. While live-service games like Helldivers 2 show less reliance on physical sales, Sony aims to capture more revenue and potentially influence the market ahead of a rumored digital-only PlayStation 6 handheld.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Definitive Edition is a game-key card on Nintendo Switch 2
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Definitive Edition will be sold as a game-key card on Nintendo Switch, meaning there will be no true physical release worldwide. This format has been met with dissatisfaction from collectors, as it requires players to download the game data. This follows a similar release for Pokemon Pokopia, while most other Nintendo Switch games receive traditional physical releases.
Ubisoft Steam games to no longer require the Connect launcher, in "initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined launch experience"
Ubisoft is removing the requirement for its Connect launcher to start games on Steam, beginning with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This change aims to streamline the launch experience for players, though future account linking requirements remain unclear. The publisher plans to roll out this new tool to more Steam titles over time.
PlayStation hits the self-sabotage button again, cutting ties with Kojima Productions as Xbox takes over — and I think there's more than one reason why
Sony Interactive Entertainment has ended its collaboration with Kojima Productions on the upcoming game Physint, with Xbox stepping in to form a new partnership with Hideo Kojima's studio. Kojima stated that PlayStation attempted to cancel the project, prompting his search for a new partner. The article speculates that Sony's move away from physical game discs and Kojima's stance against an all-digital future may have contributed to the split.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation Director Explains Why the Physical Disc Version Requires a Download to Play
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi explained that the physical disc version for PlayStation 5 and Xbox requires a download to play. This requirement pertains to the game's content, even when using a physical disc.
A new Ubisoft Steam tool could lead to a launcher-free future for its games
Ubisoft is testing a new Steam tool that could allow its games to function without requiring the Ubisoft Connect launcher to be installed or run separately. This feature, starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, aims to streamline the PC gaming experience by integrating services directly into Steam, potentially expanding to other major Ubisoft franchises like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry.
Former PlayStation boss sounds just as surprised as everyone else that Sony let Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear successor…
Sony Interactive Entertainment has canceled its collaboration with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on Hideo Kojima's upcoming stealth game, Physint, allowing Xbox to pick up the project. Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida expressed surprise at the decision, which follows Sony's controversial announcement about phasing out physical discs. Despite the setback, Kojima confirmed Physint's development is ongoing.
Valve has reportedly made £11bn from Steam already in 2026, and biggest earning new arrival is Forza Horizon 6
Valve's Steam platform has reportedly generated $15 billion in revenue for 2026, with Forza Horizon 6 being the highest-earning new release. Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem also performed strongly, contributing significantly to Valve's earnings. New intellectual properties are showing strong performance, with Crimson Desert being a notable success.
Sony clarifies PlayStation disc production is dropping by 10 percent in 2028, not to 10 percent
Sony has clarified that its PlayStation disc manufacturing output is expected to decrease by 10 percent in 2028, not decline to 10 percent of current levels, correcting earlier reports. This clarification comes as Sony plans to cease producing physical discs for new games from January 2028, though reorders will continue. Former SIE chairman Shawn Layden expressed concern over the shift from ownership to accessibility and its impact on brand value.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation’s Physical Edition Requires Mandatory Download on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
The physical edition of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will require a mandatory internet download, a departure from previous installments. While the Nintendo Switch version will use a game key card, the disc-based versions for current-gen consoles necessitate online connectivity to play, disappointing collectors.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is getting a physical version, but it will require an internet connection to download
The physical edition of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will require an internet connection to download over 100GB of game data, unlike previous entries in the series. This applies to all platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Nintendo Switch 2, with the latter's version being particularly large at 130GB. The game is set to release on April 8, 2027.
Inside the Nintendo Museum: The DNA of a Toy Maker
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto highlights the company's enduring 'toy maker' philosophy, contrasting it with Sony's 'data stream' approach. The article emphasizes Nintendo's focus on physical media, tactile experiences, and a broad retail ecosystem, exemplified by the Virtual Boy and its approach to game preservation, while criticizing Sony's reliance on digital distribution and high-spec hardware.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Is Out Today, and Steam Codes Are Already on Sale
The Blood of Dawnwalker has been released today for PC players and is already available at a discount of up to 12% from retailers like Fanatical and Newegg. This indicates early availability through digital distribution channels.
CD Projekt Red won't be abandoning physical releases
CD Projekt Red, developer of The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2077, intends to continue offering physical releases, according to joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski. While acknowledging the industry shift towards digital and platform holder decisions, CDPR aims to create physical boxes that are valuable to consumers, potentially using download codes instead of discs.
Sony Warns PlayStation Customers Against Harassing Support Staff Amid Disc Backlash
Sony Interactive Entertainment has implemented a new anti-harassment policy for its customer service staff in Japan, prompted by backlash against the company's decision to phase out physical game discs. The policy outlines restrictions on unreasonable demands, abusive language, and threats, with Sony prepared to involve law enforcement if necessary. This move comes amidst ongoing criticism regarding Sony's digital storefront practices and a class-action lawsuit settlement.
CeX confirms existence of first retro store in Birmingham
UK retailer CeX is planning to open its first dedicated retro gaming store in Birmingham, potentially codenamed 'ReX' or 'CeX Retro'. The existence of the store, listed on the company's website, has been confirmed as a trial for future expansion, aiming to capitalize on the retro market amidst increasing digital game sales.
