Digital Distribution
Ongoing coverage on Digital Distribution.
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Resurrection of the Insomnia Gaming Festival cancelled due to lack of industry support
Unity will delist assets from publishers based in China, Hong Kong, and Macau from its Asset Store on March 31, 2026. This decision impacts digital distribution and publishing practices within the Unity ecosystem.
PlayStation and Xbox veteran launches indie-focused talent agency
Unity will delist assets from publishers based in China, Hong Kong, and Macau from its Asset Store on March 31, 2026. This change affects the digital distribution of game development assets on the PC platform.
US Gamers Are Spending Way Less Than They Used To On Physical Games
US spending on physical video games saw an 11% decline from 2024 to 2025, reaching an all-time low of $1.5 billion in 2025. While this trend reflects the rise of digital distribution and subscription services like PlayStation Plus Catalog and Xbox Game Pass, the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is noted to have helped stabilize numbers. Analysts suggest a potential resurgence of physical media could occur as older technologies gain popularity.
The Unity Asset Store is ditching publishers based in China, Hong Kong, and Macau
The Unity Asset Store is reportedly ceasing to support publishers based in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This news has sparked debate regarding the future of Microsoft's Xbox division, with some figures like Seamus Blackley expressing skepticism about its long-term viability. The discussion also touches on media reporting ethics and the presentation of opinions versus facts.
Unity Assets From China Won’t Be Available Soon
Unity will remove assets from its Global Asset Store originating from the Greater China Region, including Hong Kong and Macau, effective March 31, 2026. This change is attributed to updated regional licensing, distribution, and compliance requirements. While users will still be able to access assets purchased before the deadline, publishers will no longer provide updates or support. Unity will also offer refunds for assets bought within the last six months.
Steam's big library Update.
Steam has launched a significant redesign of its library interface, offering a modern look and a new customizable home page. Key features include updated game pages, improved achievement and trading card displays, and enhanced game categorization. While the core functionality remains, the update aims to provide a more streamlined and visually appealing user experience for PC gamers.
Steam Vs Epic Game Store
This analysis compares Steam and the Epic Games Store, highlighting Steam's dominance in PC gaming with its vast user base and extensive features. Epic Games is challenging Steam through exclusivity deals and offering weekly free games, aiming to capture a significant share of the market despite Steam's established ecosystem and customer loyalty.
What 10,000 Reddit comments reveal about the adult gaming backlog
An analysis of over 10,000 Reddit comments reveals that adult gamers typically own 100-150 unplayed games, experiencing guilt due to a lack of time to play them. Factors like digital sales, subscription services, and increased game lengths contribute to growing backlogs, with Steam being the primary platform associated with this phenomenon. The article suggests managing, rather than clearing, the backlog is the healthier approach for players.
The "video game preservation service" Myrient is shutting down in March
The video game preservation service Myrient is set to shut down on March 31, 2026, due to insufficient funding and rising hardware costs. The owner cited a lack of donation support, the rise of paywalled download managers bypassing site protections, and increased prices for RAM, SSD, and HDD due to AI demand as reasons for the closure. This marks a significant loss for accessing classic games not readily available elsewhere.
FINAL FANTASY VII arrives on GOG with a new edition live on Steam too
Square Enix has released an upgraded version of Final Fantasy VII, now available on GOG and Steam. This new edition, replacing the 2013 version on Steam, includes features like 3x speed mode, the ability to turn off encounters, battle enhancement mode, and autosave, though it does not alter the story. Previous Steam buyers retain access to both versions.
"What's 100% of zero? Like, who gives a shit?" New Blood boss unimpressed by Epic sharing more revenue with devs than Steam
New Blood Interactive's Dave Oshry expressed skepticism about the Epic Games Store's value proposition, arguing that its free giveaways primarily serve as advertising for games on Steam rather than driving direct sales. He criticized Epic's failure to improve its store experience over a decade, despite offering a more generous revenue share to developers than Steam. Oshry also discussed GOG's preservation efforts, acknowledging their value but noting a lack of compelling reasons for users to choose it over Steam.
The Epic Games Store: Revolutionizing Digital Game Distribution
The Epic Games Store has significantly impacted PC gaming's digital distribution landscape by challenging industry norms with a more favorable revenue split for developers and regular free game offerings. Its ongoing competition and legal battles, particularly with Apple over antitrust concerns, highlight its role as a disruptive force advocating for fairer digital marketplaces.
Valve says you will get more cheap PC games and extends Steam Daily Deals
Valve Corporation is expanding its Steam Daily Deals program, increasing the number of discounted PC games offered daily from four to six. This initiative aims to increase visibility for a wider range of titles, including both blockbuster hits and indie games, and provide players with more opportunities to purchase games at lower prices. The algorithm for selecting deals will also be refined to prioritize games with strong user engagement and demand.
PS6 will need a disc drive, according to this ex-PlayStation boss
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shawn Layden believes the PlayStation 6 must include a disc drive to avoid alienating a significant portion of the player base who still rely on physical media. He argues that a fully digital console would be a mistake, citing regional internet limitations and the continued demand for physical game purchases, even as services like Xbox Game Pass grow.
