2023 Physical Games Spending - Nintendo >50% PS ~40% Xbox <10%

It’s becoming more clear why Xbox is the first to pull the plug on physical games. Their consumer base has all but abandoned them. Game Pass?

@ghostofgolden: It's a shame IMO, but collectors who want to flip them probably think it's a good time to buy Xbox games because of the rarity.

Gamepass is killing the whole echosystem. What an invention.

It is hard to buy physical games when many not even be released physical, it is kinda "no shit sherlock" moment here.

...and yeah gamepass adds on top of that

@ghostofgolden: It's not just game pass. Most people buy and download games from the Microsoft Store. I havent bought a physical game since the 360 days.

Switch is dominating this gen BIG time. wow 😮

ditched physical games on all platforms ages ago.

Gamepass, digital sales, Series S...

I don't care, I'd rather build up my digital library. Same on PC with steam etc. I specifically don't want to buy physical any more, in order to add all games to my library.

And like the PC, on Xbox, you have access to all compatible games when you sign in on a device, easy shared cloud saves... It's just better imo.

Nintendo platforms are the only platforms where I'd be about physical games. Games on other platforms have such heavy reliance on the internet for constant large updates and DLC, that physical games feel redundant to me.

Obvious as to why ms want to go digital only and release a digital only series X next year.

I am not a fan of physical because it is inconvenient, archaic in its current state, and occupies more space than it needs to. Many consumers feel this way about it thus the shift. If gaming companies shifted away from optical to a more modern storage that doesn't require installation, physical will have more value for me.

My Walmart has completely gotten rid of all physical games.

Physical media is unfortunately not going to be around for too much longer. Digital would make more sense if it were a bit cheaper than the physical release.

The physical vs digital rankings between consoles perfectly mirrors my confidence in digital rights on each platform.

@lamprey263: Confidence doesn't even enter into it for me, I need a physical disc if only as a key just to get the game to run on various consoles on various user profiles. What I need isn't possible with digital.

The series s kind of gave us all an indication it won't be long before ms move to digital.

It’s funny how game pass has all these games , but yet Xbox still comes in 3rd place. when it comes to consoles sales and now hearing that sub model is stagnate , explains a lot about these recent lay offs that MS did lately . Sony is smart , day one should go for customers who want to buy, then later on add that game to sub model. Double dip is the perfect win for Sony and for gamers who are willing wait a year to play Sony’s awesome exclusives

Stop packaging movies and games in boxes ten times the size. We don't have mansions.

@warm_gun: You want a game library for ants?

i literally can't remember the last physical game i purchased..

also, i thought "revenue warriors" only cared about what's best for the corporation.. in the case of digital vs physical, digital is by FAR a better choice for the host company.. so, congrats to Xbox?..

in either case, i prefer options.. so i hope physical games remain an option for any gamers that prefer that medium..

@girlusocrazy: That is not true. You can play digital games on multiple profiles at least on Xbox. You can also play on two consoles at the same time.

Does this count microtransactions are just game sells?

I will always choose physical unless it is a always online game or has an amazing sale.

Updated for accuracy.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but it still seems to me what I need isn't possible with digital. I've got more than two consoles, more than two profiles, also friends and family.

Can you explain how it would be possible to have a single digital library of purchased games, and serve a different purchased digital game from that library to four or five different consoles at the same time, and allow lending/borrowing of yet other digital purchased games?

Digital games are not locked to a system but to the account. An account has access to the digital library on any compatible system. You currently cannot play a single purchase of a physical game on two consoles at the same time but you can with digital. If you are in a situation in which five people need to play the same game, you will have to purchase five physical copies. However, with digital you only need three copies, which can also serve six gamers simultaneously. Lending/borrowing while possible is not practical outside of the same household with digital.

@Pedro: I believe there's a misunderstanding. I don't want to play the same game on two or more consoles at the same time.

I want a single library of games where each of 4 or more users can take a different game from the library and play on a different console and different profile at the same time.

How is this possible with digital?

I am correcting your claim "I need a physical disc if only as a key just to get the game to run on various consoles on various user profiles."

You have been provided the information about what you can and cannot do with digital in my last comment.

@Pedro: I see. That doesn't seem to be the only requirement I have, however.

Thanks for the discussion about the various options that are available, but for now it seems like for what I would like to do, it isn't possible with digital.

For now it seems like I need a physical disc as a key to do what I want.

@ghostofgolden: Xbox is thinking about the future, and trying to be environmentally friendly. We trying to clean up the plastic island in the middle of the ocean..you should youtube it, actually there's an entire island where ocean currents converge and this has caused an entire massive island of plastic to form. MS thinking about them kids.

Oh and gamepass or bust.

@girlusocrazy: “ I want a single library of games where each of 4 or more users can take a different game from the library and play on a different console and different profile at the same time.”

I had Xbox friends and family. 1 library, more than 4 users could take a different game and play on different consoles at the same time. It also let different people play the same game from that library at the same time, which you can’t do with physical.

They released it as a trial period and we snatched a year up. All of us got 1 year GP Ultimate when the trial ended. No idea if it’s coming back.

@sealionact: I agree it sounds promising, I was excited to see them acting on considerations that involved friends and family. That's important to me. I think it was only for Game Pass, which means it would not apply to all digital games that would be permanently in my library. It would apply to a group of games selected by others and may not include my desired games.

The nature of digital services is also that terms for access can change, and price of access can also change. I would be looking for some more stability and hopefully not an ongoing fee but rather discrete purchases at a price up front.

Digital continues to progress and the market is evolving, I'm not sure what will happen in the future but hopefully there will be considerations for people who have these desires. I like that Microsoft at least acknowledged these things and I hope the entire industry will look more closely into this and act on it. I also hope consumers who want this will speak up.

Unfortunate for xbox but great for me hopefully. It means collectors edition will be allocated more for the PS vers.

On the right a case that makes sense for the physical dimensions of the media. On the left idiotic waste of space.

@warm_gun: You could even put the discs in a binder with sleeves to further reduce the space required.

I can't even remember the last time I purchased a physical copy of a game. I'm always surprised when folks buy physical still.

Why would you say you are surprised? I'm fully digital myself but I still but my Nintendo Switch games physically cause Nintendo flat-out sucks handling digital responsibly and they suck on preservation.

I for one glad physical is still an option for all gamers and this is coming from a digital gamer.

I always prefer physical games mainly due to convenience in installing, selling, sharing, and renting. Plus you own the games.

Digital is a scam that people have fallen into hook, line and stinker. And the funny part is they are proud of it 😂😆

The moment gaming becomes all digital is the moment I will turn retro, or even join the cause of the pirates.

If buying a digital game is not owning it, pirating the game isn't stealing it.

You might wanna read the TOS. The big 3 all have these types of statements in theirs

@ghostofgolden: Unless we backtrack on some Supreme Court precedents, that is unenforceable for physical games.

And the companies know it.

Which is why they are pushing an all digital future. Xbox tried real hard in 2013 but gamers bitched too much. Gamers have been quickly coming around since then though…

@mattbbpl: Yeah. Even Ubisoft acknowledges people own their games.

MS/lems are a disgrace, why anyone would want less options and create a digital monopoly is beyond me. People are stupid enough to pay the same prices for digital as physical and don't even question why digital is the same price, and in my country physical is actually cheaper. Gamers have become too lazy.

I'm well on the way to becoming a retro gamer, i've been future proofing my games collection for the last few years and will have no issues not owning the next generation of consoles.

Give it 20yrs and all games will be started from an app on your tv.

No, no you're not becoming a retro gamer. You will become a cow like you were destined to become, and as i've told you previously, you're welcomed with open arms. Sony is the future.

@ghostofgolden: Correct.

@Stevo_the_gamer: lol, I bought one today.

Let's not pretend that Sony/cows aren't a disgrace when it comes to digital. 60% of cows are buying digital, and Sony are currently being taken to court for not allowing retailers to sell digital games codes in certain countries which means everyone has to buy from Sony's storefront and thus creating a digital monopoly. Not only that, but Sony are being taken to court in the UK for selling digital games and dlc at what is claimed inflated prices.

Anyone who thinks a digital only future is good aren't very bright.

I am a cow, and i don't buy digital at all. Tons of us have this mindset, so physical ain't going anywhere. Sony is a safe home.

@girlusocrazy said:

@warm_gun: You could even put the discs in a binder with sleeves to further reduce the space required.

Absolutely disgusting for scratching the discs over time, reducing collectors value and making it take far longer to find one.

The lawsuits against Sony over 2 different digital situations proves otherwise.

The only "safe" home is retro. You will realise this sooner or later.

I will leave gaming before i go retro. I want the next big thing, something wasn't possible 10 years ago, and not some 2d side scroller from 87.

@warm_gun: I think blu-rays have a durable scratch resistant coating that is unlike DVDs and CDs.

Doesn't matter. Sliding them across plastic over and over still scratches and causes read errors over time. Disc sleeves are horrible.