Game Sales
Ongoing coverage on Game Sales.
Latest coverage
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.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation DLC will come if demand is there
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Liberation, stated that while DLC was not prioritized for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the team would actively consider developing DLC for Final Fantasy VII Liberation if there is significant demand and strong sales. This approach aims to focus development resources on releasing the main game promptly.
PS5 first-party game sales have been dropping for the last six years
Sony's first-party game sales on PlayStation 5 have seen a consistent decline over the past six years, despite strong console sales. This trend is attributed to a reduced output of major exclusive titles and a shift towards live service games, which has impacted overall sales figures compared to previous years.
Games will once again help protect the oceans. World Ocean Day Festival returns to Steam
The World Ocean Day Festival returns to Steam from June 4th-11th, 2026, featuring a game sale and charity initiative by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) to support marine life. The event aims to unite the gaming community for ocean conservation, with participating developers pledging at least 10% of net revenue. Previous editions have raised over £1 million for marine conservation efforts.
Remedy Entertainment CEO: Alan Wake and Control should have sold more
Remedy Entertainment's new CEO, Jean-Charles Gaudechon, believes that Alan Wake and Control should have achieved greater commercial success. He aims to expand the audience for these IPs through transmedia projects, including partnerships with Annapurna Pictures for film and TV adaptations, while also focusing on improving game development and exploring new markets.
Remedy's new CEO thinks cross-media deals will help its games sell more, and for once I think I agree
Remedy Entertainment's new CEO, Jean-Charles Gaudechon, believes that cross-media deals will be crucial for increasing the sales of the company's games like Alan Wake and Control. He aims to maximize the potential of existing IPs by expanding them into other forms of media, rather than solely focusing on creating new games.
Control, Alan Wake “Should Have Sold More”, Says Remedy Entertainment’s New CEO
Remedy Entertainment's new CEO, Jean-Charles Gaudechon, discussed his plans to improve game sales for titles like Control and Alan Wake 2. He aims to maximize the potential of existing IPs and expressed caution regarding the use of AI in game development, emphasizing its limitations in creative processes. The studio is also working on Control Resonant for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Devs are "leaking effectively free" games with a common pricing mistake, Steam expert warns, which is why EA "generates no revenue whatsoever" with some sales
An industry expert warns that many game developers are losing significant sales and revenue due to incorrect regional pricing strategies on platforms like Steam and Nintendo Switch. This common mistake, where prices are automatically converted from a base currency, can lead to games being effectively given away in certain markets, with EA cited as a publisher experiencing minimal returns in large regions due to this issue.
Forza Horizon 6 gives a glimpse at what Xbox should’ve been - Reader's Feature
A reader's feature discusses how Forza Horizon 6, despite its critical and commercial success, highlights Xbox's struggles in the console market. The author argues that while the game is excellent, its multi-platform availability prevents it from being the system seller Xbox desperately needs, contrasting it with past console-defining exclusives.
PlayStation boss reportedly pivots on PC, says new singleplayer games will remain PS5-exclusive
PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst has reportedly informed staff that new singleplayer games from Sony Interactive Entertainment will remain exclusive to the PlayStation 5 console and will not be released on PC. This marks a shift from the company's previous strategy of bringing many first-party titles to PC after a period of console exclusivity. Online multiplayer games will continue to be released on multiple platforms.
Steam week in review: metroidvanias are still coming thick and fast, but has the world moved on?
Despite the release of several high-quality metroidvania titles on Steam, the genre's buzz has diminished, potentially due to genre fatigue and the unpredictable nature of indie development. Games like Clockwork Ambrosia showcase impressive pixel art and design, but struggle to gain traction amidst larger releases and shifting market trends.
