Game Sales
Ongoing coverage on Game Sales.
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Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto thinks it's "rude" when fans question why "a mustachioed old dude like Mario" sells so well, but to be honest, "I've had the same thought"
Nintendo veteran Shigeru Miyamoto expressed surprise at the enduring popularity of Mario, questioning why the character continues to sell so well despite not being a traditional hero. He attributes Mario's success primarily to the incredibly fun games he is featured in. Miyamoto also hopes that players will eventually own multiple Nintendo consoles.
Pragmata’s Success Has Increased the Likelihood of a Sequel, Says Capcom
Capcom corporate officer Yoshikazu Shimauchi indicated that a sequel to Pragmata is likely, following the game's successful sales of over 2.5 million copies. This follows previous statements from Capcom and the game's producers expressing interest in a follow-up. Despite early development criticism, the game has achieved a strong sales milestone across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Ubisoft Boss Has A Hot Take On Sony Killing Game Discs
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot believes Sony's decision to end PlayStation 5 disc production in January 2028 could benefit the industry by potentially lowering hardware costs, similar to the PC market's digital shift. While Sony cites declining physical sales and consumer preference for digital, the move is expected to increase profits due to reduced manufacturing and distribution expenses, despite potential consumer backlash.
Games Inbox: Which is better out of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3?
Readers debate whether Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the superior game, with many favoring The Witcher 3 for its story and characters. Discussions also touch upon the longevity of digital versus physical game sales, the unique economy of Counter-Strike skins, and concerns about Nintendo's recent game releases and pricing strategies.
Former Valve writer says PlayStation killing physical discs is no conspiracy: "You, the consumer, have made your…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek argues that consumers are responsible for PlayStation's move away from physical discs, citing a strong preference for digital purchases. He points to low physical sales figures and the popularity of digital-only services like Game Pass as evidence that players have driven this industry shift.
Op Ed
This opinion piece argues that Steam's success demonstrates the viability of an all-digital future for PC gaming, while acknowledging potential drawbacks. The article suggests that while digital distribution has largely worked, there are still considerations for game preservation and ownership.
SEGA talks importance of Sonic, failing to reach its goal, wanted new game to sell more
SEGA president Shuji Utsumi discussed the importance of Sonic the Hedgehog as a symbol for the company and how its success, particularly the movie, can boost other IPs. He also acknowledged that SEGA did not meet its goals for global expansion of Sonic titles last year and that the latest Sonic game did not sell as well as hoped, leading to measures to improve sales power.
The next PlayStation looks more and more like a PC, and that's not a bad thing
Sony's decision to end physical disc production in January 2028 for PlayStation consoles is discussed, drawing parallels to the PC's digital-first market. While acknowledging the nostalgia for physical media and concerns about content ownership, the article suggests that a discless future could be positive if Sony ensures steady digital discounts. The author proposes limited edition physical releases as a compromise to keep physical media alive.
Nobody Plays New Games Anymore: The 2026 Playtime Data | TAG
Recent data from Valve's Steam Replay and Newzoo reports indicate that new game releases consistently capture only 14-17% of player playtime on PC, with older titles dominating the remaining hours. This trend holds true across platforms, with Xbox showing the highest engagement for new releases at 18%. The analysis suggests this is due to factors like the prevalence of live service games, adult time constraints, and the value proposition of established back-catalog titles, rather than a decline in player interest.
Stop judging games by their sales figures, says Tekken's Katsuhiro Harada: “That’s exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s never actually developed games"
Katsuhiro Harada, former face of Tekken and current CEO of SNK VS Studio, argues against judging games solely by their sales figures. He highlights Hidetaka Miyazaki's career path, emphasizing how FromSoftware's earlier, less successful titles paved the way for the massive success of the Dark Souls series and Elden Ring. Harada criticizes those who cannot appreciate developer growth and suggests this narrow view is typical of individuals without game development experience.
Ex-PlayStation boss calls Sony's plan to kill physical disc production 'fairly dramatic' and remembers a time when 'digital sales were zero percent because we didn't have a digital market'
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden expressed surprise and disagreement with Sony's plan to discontinue physical disc production, calling it a 'fairly dramatic decision.' He recalled a time when digital sales were non-existent and believes this move could lead to the PlayStation 6 lacking a disc drive. Layden also touched on the impact of digital distribution on the used game market and the importance of internet infrastructure for digital-only models.
Nintendo probably won't ditch physical games just because PlayStation is, analyst predicts: "Nintendo is going…
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella predicts Nintendo will not follow Sony's lead in phasing out new physical game releases by 2028. Piscatella stated that Nintendo operates independently and is unlikely to alter its strategy based on competitors' decisions. Despite the industry shift towards digital, Nintendo maintains a strong physical market share, particularly with the Nintendo Switch.
PS5 is reportedly so far ahead of Xbox Series X that it gets up to 80% of launch sales for AAA single-player console games, though Xbox denies a huge split on GTA 6 pre-orders
Reports suggest the PlayStation 5 outsells the Xbox Series X for AAA single-player games by a significant margin, potentially reaching an 80/20 split. While Xbox denies extreme disparities in Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders, the overall console install base and PlayStation's history of single-player exclusives likely contribute to this trend. However, a substantial portion of sales for multi-million selling games still represents a significant market for Xbox.
Capcom had "no idea" how Pragmata would be received, Hugh actor says, but now the star of the 'Space dad' banger is getting touching messages from people considering their own relationship with family
David Menkin, the voice actor for Hugh Williams in Capcom's Pragmata, shared that the development team was unsure how the game would be received but is now getting positive messages from players. The game, which launched in April and has sold two million copies, has resonated with players on a personal level, prompting discussions about family relationships. Capcom is considering developing Pragmata into a series.
Call Of Duty fans are more excited for Black Ops ports than Modern Warfare 4
Call of Duty fans are showing more excitement for upcoming ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 than for the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Social media engagement metrics indicate significantly higher likes and retweets for the Black Ops announcement compared to the Modern Warfare 4 reveal. This disparity suggests waning enthusiasm for new entries, potentially due to issues with recent titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Engagement Ring
Ubisoft has acknowledged that the ending of Assassin's Creed Shadows did not resonate with the community, a year after its initial launch. The company also celebrated the game surpassing 3 million copies sold.
"This is just the start" - Housemarque responds to Saros' slower sales versus Returnal's, and compares itself to one of the most beloved studios around
Housemarque's Mikael Haveri and Ilari Kuittinen addressed the slower initial sales of their latest game, Saros, compared to Returnal. They believe Saros, like Returnal, will gain traction over time and are committed to supporting it with updates. The studio draws parallels to FromSoftware's journey, aiming to educate the market on their niche bullet hell and roguelike action titles and build a dedicated fanbase.
Amazon Exec Reveales 007 First Light Sequel News
Jeff Gattis, head of Amazon Gaming, clarified that while Amazon Game Studios is not publishing a sequel to 007 First Light, the game's success and player demand indicate a strong possibility for a follow-up. He emphasized that the decision will be based on market appetite and allowing the current game to have its moment.
Toys for Bob says Spyro: Reignited's 11m sales proved "there's an audience that woke up to show up for that series"
Toys for Bob stated that the 11 million sales of Spyro Reignited Trilogy proved there is a significant audience for the series. Studio head Paul Yan mentioned that the 'loud and consistent' fanbase helped convince Microsoft of the franchise's viability. The studio sees the new Spyro game as a template for future colorful titles.
GTA 5 Joins A Subscription Ahead Of GTA 6 Launch
Grand Theft Auto 5 is now available on Rockstar's GTA+ subscription service ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6's launch. The service, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC for $8 per month, includes access to a library of games, monthly in-game currency, and other perks for GTA Online. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on November 19.