Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
Dungeons & Dragons: World of Warcraft Books Delayed As Global Factors Continue to Impact Shipping
Physical copies of Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft books and accessories are experiencing delays due to ongoing global shipping issues. This impacts the availability of related merchandise.
Alien: Isolation 2 will have a physical edition to stay true to the franchise
Sega and The Creative Assembly have announced that Alien: Isolation 2 will receive a physical edition, citing the franchise's analogue nature as a core pillar. This decision addresses concerns about the future of physical media, especially following PlayStation's announcement to cease disc production in 2028. The sequel is slated for release in 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Nintendo policy reportedly prevents Switch 2 game-key card to be reprinted as full cartridge version
A retailer named VGP claims Nintendo has a policy preventing game-key card titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 from being re-released as full cartridge versions. Game-key cards require a full download from the internet to play, unlike traditional cartridges. VGP intends to continue pushing Nintendo for changes.
Games Inbox: Is the video games industry dying?
Multiple readers express concern over the current state of the video games industry, citing high development costs, studio closures, and a perceived decline in quality. There is a debate about whether the industry is truly dying, particularly in the West, with some readers finding solace in Nintendo's unique approach and the enduring appeal of physical media.
Ironically, the PS5 is now helping keep Blu-rays alive as Sony phases out its other players - but I wouldn't recommend physical media fans flock to the console
Sony is phasing out its standalone Blu-ray players, leaving the PlayStation 5 Disc Edition as its sole remaining Blu-ray device. This move, occurring as physical media sees a resurgence against streaming services, positions Panasonic as a key player in the Blu-ray market. The article suggests this is a further decline for physical media, not a significant business shift.
Resident Evil Requiem's physical PS5 sales were nearly twice as large as its total Xbox sales, analyst finds
An analysis of Resident Evil Requiem's sales data reveals that physical sales on PlayStation 5 nearly doubled the total revenue generated on Xbox across all formats. This finding raises questions about Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc manufacturing in 2028, as physical sales still represent a significant portion of revenue for major titles.
Backlash to Sony ending PS5 discs comes from a "vocal minority of a revenue minority," analyst says - but that's still a community "that spends a lot of money"
An analyst suggests that the backlash against Sony ending PlayStation 5 disc production in 2028 represents a vocal minority of players, despite their significant spending habits. While physical sales remain strong for single-player titles, multiplayer games are overwhelmingly digital, a trend Sony is leveraging for cost savings and market control.
If the idea of an $1,800 Xbox that doesn't even run physical games horrifies you, I'd pick up an Evercade…
The Evercade Nexus offers a compelling alternative to prohibitively expensive next-gen consoles, providing a portable and affordable way to play physical retro games. While lacking some modern features, its commitment to cartridges and a growing ecosystem makes it a strong choice for players valuing ownership and approachable gaming.
Arc Raiders player numbers hit a six-month high following the release of the extraction shooter's huge Frozen Trails update
Arc Raiders saw a significant surge in player numbers, reaching a six-month high of 1.7 million daily players following the release of its substantial Frozen Trails update and a free weekend. The game also experienced its steepest discount, selling an additional 150,000 copies. Separately, PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi commented that player attachment to physical discs is a 'mentality issue' and not economically reasonable in the current market.
PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi says discs became "metaphor for 'owning' games", and that upset at their discontinuation is a "mentality issue"
PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi believes that consumer upset over the discontinuation of game discs is a "mentality issue," arguing that physical media is no longer economically reasonable for networked devices. He suggests that AI and cloud computing could eventually eliminate the need for consoles altogether, though he also expressed concern over the high cost of current hardware.
Silent Hill Remake Studio Wants to Make Physical Games 'for as Long as Possible'
Bloober Team, the developer behind the Silent Hill remake, has expressed a desire to continue producing physical versions of its games for as long as possible. This statement indicates a commitment to traditional game distribution methods.
Xbox Helix could have discs as the company is looking for an expert to ‘coordinate the launch of physical Xbox games’
Microsoft is reportedly exploring the possibility of including disc drives in future Xbox consoles, as indicated by a job posting seeking an expert to coordinate the launch of physical Xbox games. This suggests a potential shift back towards physical media for the platform.
"The physical element of gaming will always, always be there": Bloober Team and Broken Mirror Games want to…
Bloober Team CEO Piotr Babieno and Broken Mirror Games executive director Tymon Smektala express a strong commitment to physical game releases, even as platforms like PlayStation move towards digital distribution. They believe physical media fosters a deeper emotional connection with games and fans. The discussion touches on the future of visual fidelity in games and the potential for other senses to be engaged, particularly with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, Onyx: The Dark Grip.
PlayStation creator backs Sony's call to end discs, says backlash is a "mentality issue"
PlayStation's former architect Ken Kutaragi commented on the backlash to Sony's decision to end disc production, calling the pushback a 'mentality issue' and suggesting it's economically unreasonable. While understanding the sentiment of owning physical media, he believes it's not necessary for networked devices. This stance comes amid industry pressures and user concerns about digital entitlements.
Killing PS5 Discs Just Makes Sense, Even If It Angers People, Former PlayStation Exec Says
Former PlayStation executive Ken Kutaragi believes Sony's decision to end support for PlayStation 5 game discs in 2028 is economically sensible, despite acknowledging consumer attachment to physical media. He suggests that for a networked device, physical discs are no longer necessary, aligning with a trend towards digital distribution and content terminals.
The God of War Laufey Collector's Edition is the latest to release without the game itself, and that's going down just as well as you'd expect following Sony's call to ditch PlayStation discs
Sony is continuing the trend of releasing expensive collector's editions without the actual game, exemplified by the upcoming God of War Laufey Collector Box. This edition, priced at £130 in the UK, includes a statue, artbook, and oracle deck but no game or download code, drawing criticism from fans already unhappy with the company's move away from physical discs.
Nintendo's Latin America VP says there are no plans to ditch physical games
Nintendo of America's Vice President, Bill van Zyll, stated that the company has no plans to discontinue physical game releases. He emphasized that Nintendo's strategy is guided by consumer preference, acknowledging the continued demand for physical media. This comes as Sony prepares to end physical disc production for new PlayStation games in 2028.
Nintendo Says It Has No Plans To Ditch Physical Games Yet
Nintendo has stated it has no plans to abandon physical game releases for its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, maintaining an agnostic approach to cater to consumer demand. Unlike Sony's move towards digital-only, Nintendo will continue to offer both physical and digital game options, acknowledging the strong preference fans have for physical media.
Nintendo executive confirms company has "no plans to ditch physical games"
Nintendo of America's VP and general manager, Bill van Zyll, confirmed that the company has no plans to discontinue physical game releases. He stated that Nintendo remains agnostic and will continue to support physical media as long as consumers prefer it, contrasting with Sony's move towards an all-digital future.
‘I hope Sony takes notice’: Nintendo says it has ‘no plans’ to ditch physical media as GTA 6…
Nintendo has stated it has no current plans to abandon physical game media, with Vice President & General Manager of Nintendo Latin America, Bill van Zyll, emphasizing that the company follows consumer preference. This contrasts with Sony's stated goal to move away from physical releases entirely by 2028. While Nintendo remains committed to physical for now, the article notes the industry's overall shift towards digital distribution, citing Take-Two Interactive's CEO on the prevalence of digital sales.
