Digital Games
Ongoing coverage on Digital Games.
Latest coverage
Games Inbox: What will be in the Zelda Direct today?
Readers discuss their expectations for upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations, particularly a Zelda-themed one, speculating on potential announcements like remakes of Ocarina of Time and Super Metroid, alongside new IPs and DLC. There's also commentary on the success of lower-budget games, the potential impact of Grand Theft Auto 6's release, and a positive review of a Star Fox 64 remake.
A future without PlayStation discs is "depressing, but solvable," former Sony boss says: "The market has said they will continue to buy them"
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden expressed that a future without physical discs is 'depressing, but solvable,' emphasizing the importance of physical media for collectors and devoted fans. While Sony is reducing disc production, some companies like CD Projekt Red are committed to physical releases for their games.
Sony's discless PlayStation PR disaster isn't going away as State of Play once again flooded with protests
Sony's State of Play livestream was heavily disrupted by fan protests regarding the company's move to a digital-only future for games starting in 2028 and the perceived neglect of the Destiny franchise by Bungie. Fans spammed messages demanding physical game support and a sequel to Destiny 2, highlighting significant player dissatisfaction with Sony's direction.
Sony makes twice as much money from you on PS5 compared to PS4
Sony is prioritizing monetizing existing PlayStation 5 owners over acquiring new ones, as the company makes significantly more revenue per user on the current generation console compared to the PlayStation 4. This strategy focuses on recurring revenue from services like PlayStation Plus and digital purchases, while physical game sales decline.
Sony CEO says selling more PS5s isn't as important as monetizing the 125 million monthly PS Plus users now the…
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that aggressively selling PlayStation 5 consoles is no longer the priority, shifting focus to monetizing the existing user base of over 95 million consoles sold and 125 million monthly PlayStation Plus users. This strategic pivot aims to increase recurring revenue, a move the article contrasts with past Sony decisions and notes Microsoft is not currently positioned to capitalize on.
Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Means Microsoft Is Probably Done With Discs Too
Microsoft has introduced a "Disc-to-Digital" program for Xbox, allowing users to convert physical game licenses into perpetual digital ones usable across Xbox, PC, and cloud gaming. This move, alongside Sony's earlier announcement to cease physical disc production for PlayStation games after 2028, strongly suggests that both companies are phasing out physical media for future console generations. The program aims to help players maintain access to their game libraries in a digital-first future.
Saber Boss Reacts To The Death Of Physical Games And Rising Console Prices
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits shared his thoughts on the decline of physical games and the rising cost of consoles. While acknowledging the convenience of digital titles and his personal shift away from physical media, Willits noted that Saber still profits from physical game sales, particularly in Europe. He also speculated about a future "AI box" for games and expressed concern over current console prices, suggesting it will be interesting to see how Sony and Microsoft navigate this trend with future hardware.
Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Officially Announced, And It Sounds Pretty Great
Microsoft has officially announced its Disc-To-Digital program for Xbox, allowing players to digitize their physical game discs for Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles. This feature grants digital benefits like Xbox Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming, though it is tied to the specific disc and account. The program will exclude Xbox Series S owners and is expected to roll out to Xbox Insiders on August 31st before a wider release.
Games Inbox: Will the new The Witcher 3 DLC be worth getting?
Readers discuss upcoming DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the potential for a new trilogy, alongside concerns about CD Projekt's multiple ongoing projects. Other topics include Hideo Kojima's game design choices, the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, and a boycott against Sony's digital-only game policies for the PlayStation 5, with discussions on Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks and the possibility of a Hot Coffee-style minigame.
Icon Blue DualSense Gets a Release Date, But Fans Only Want to Talk About Discs
Sony announced the Icon Blue Special Edition DualSense controller for the PlayStation 5, set to release on September 25th with pre-orders starting August 25th. However, the announcement was met with significant fan backlash on social media, with many users expressing frustration over the lack of information regarding future disc drives and the potential shift towards digital-only games for the next PlayStation console generation.
Ex-PlayStation boss doesn't know if Sony killing physical games is "such a big issue" since players need to download patches and extra data anyway
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida stated he doesn't understand why Sony's decision to stop producing physical game discs from 2028 is a major issue, as most games require digital updates and downloads anyway. While acknowledging the appeal for collectors, Yoshida, a digital-first consumer himself, believes players can still find games on sale digitally. This perspective contrasts with significant consumer backlash regarding game preservation and ownership.
Games Inbox: What is the best The Simpsons video game?
Readers discuss their favorite Simpsons video games, with a desire for retro collections including titles like Hit & Run and the arcade game. Other topics include the longevity of Fortnite, the future of the Halo franchise, the implications of digital-only consoles, and the state of Blizzard's game development.
New Disney Lorcana digital game sounds like a cross between MTG Arena and Pokemon TCG Pocket
Ravensburger announced a digital version of the Disney Lorcana trading card game, which will be available on mobile and desktop. The publisher also revealed upcoming physical expansions for the tabletop game set to release in late 2026 and early 2027. The digital game is described as potentially similar to Magic: The Gathering Arena and Pokemon TCG Pocket.
You Could Win A PS5 1TB Model For Just $1 And Get Some Cheap Steam Keys Too
Fanatical is offering a chance to win a PlayStation 5 1TB model for $1 through its Mystery Vault Bundle, which also includes Steam keys for PC games. While winning the console is unlikely, the bundle guarantees Steam game keys, with bulk purchases reducing the per-key cost. This promotion highlights the declining relevance of disc drives in modern gaming consoles.
Stop Killing Games backs Dutch consumer rights lawsuit against Sony's PlayStation digital store "monopoly"
Stop Killing Games has joined a lawsuit in the Netherlands against Sony, alleging a monopoly on digital game sales through the PlayStation Store. The lawsuit, filed by Stichting Massaschade & Consument on behalf of 1.7 million Dutch users, argues that Sony's exclusive control over its digital storefront is unfair, especially with the phasing out of physical discs. This situation is contrasted with the PC market, which benefits from multiple competing digital storefronts.
Nintendo reveals Japan’s best-selling Switch 2 and Switch digital games for July 2026
Nintendo has released the best-selling digital games for the Japanese Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch eShops for July 2026. Splatoon 3 debuted at number one on the Switch 2 charts, while Rhythm Heaven Groove topped the Switch charts. The data includes a wide range of titles, from new releases like Village in the Shade and Digimon Story: Time Stranger to perennial sellers like Minecraft and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The pros and cons of the switch to digital games
The gaming industry is increasingly shifting towards digital game distribution, with more companies ceasing the production of physical discs and cartridges. This transition raises questions about the potential drawbacks of an all-digital future for consumers.
The Latest PS5 Boxes Come With A Pretty Bleak Warning
Sony is reportedly adding warning stickers to PlayStation 5 consoles indicating that new game releases will be digital-only starting January 2028. While discs for games released before this date can still be played, this shift has generated significant backlash from consumers. Sony CFO Lin Tao acknowledged the strong views but stated the company will proceed cautiously, citing the widening gap between digital and physical game sales, with 82% of sales being digital in the last quarter.
Capcom Unfazed By Physical Games Dying Off
Capcom has stated that the decline of physical game sales will not significantly impact the company, as approximately 90% of its sales are now digital. This trend is reflected across the industry, with Nintendo and Electronic Arts also reporting a majority of sales coming from digital downloads. Sony is ending support for physical discs in 2028, citing consumer trends, though experts suggest this shift also relates to control and profitability.
How To Cancel PlayStation Plus
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to cancel a PlayStation Plus subscription through the internet, PlayStation 5, or PlayStation 4. Canceling will retain benefits until the end of the current billing cycle, after which access to monthly games, online multiplayer, and cloud storage will be lost.
