physical game Archives

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Windows 10 grasps for life as Playstation drops discs, Sony takes away movies, and Microsoft ends two Surface PCs

Sony has ceased production of physical discs. Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 and retired the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go, with no plans for restocking or successors. A leaked video revealed Microsoft's development of a Copilot operating system based on a streamlined Windows codebase. Xbox is considering canceling Marvel's Blade as part of a restructuring effort. Microsoft is contemplating a disc-to-digital program to allow users to convert physical game discs into digital licenses. The Dell XPS 13 and HP OmniBook Ultra 14 are currently available at significant discounts.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

‘They refuse to offer a meaningful alternative’: Game preservation leader agrees that piracy is the only preservation option for a discless future

Sony plans to discontinue the production of physical game discs for the PlayStation 5 by 2028, shifting towards a fully digital licensing model. Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation has raised concerns about the preservation of video game history, stating that piracy may become the only means of safeguarding digital works. He criticized the Entertainment Software Association for resisting efforts to create a legal framework for preserving digital content. Cifaldi highlighted that museums and archives are preparing for this digital future, questioning the industry's expectations for cultural institutions as physical media is phased out. The transition to digital ownership has sparked discussions in the gaming community, particularly regarding the lack of backward compatibility in the PlayStation ecosystem and the challenges posed by the closure of digital stores for older consoles. The urgency for solutions to protect video game history is increasing as the industry moves towards a digital-only future.

BetaBeacon

July 1, 2026

Sony is officially killing off physical PlayStation games

Sony has announced that all new PlayStation games released after 2028 will be digital-only, making it the first major console to fully embrace digital media.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

93 Percent Of Capcom’s Game Sales Are Digital And The Company Expects That Number To Grow

Capcom reported that 93 percent of its total game sales were digital for the fiscal year from March 2025 to March 2026, a rise from 90 percent in the previous two years and 75 percent in 2022. The company has achieved nine consecutive years of record profits, driven by new titles and established franchises. Digital sales growth is largely attributed to an increase in PC gaming, with PC sales rising from 33 percent in 2022 to 54.5 percent in fiscal 2026. Capcom forecasts digital sales will reach 95.5 percent of total sales by next year. Despite the shift to digital, physical sales still accounted for seven percent of total sales, translating to over 4 million copies sold globally.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

D&D’s new turn based tactics PC game should be a delight – but without VR, I’m not finding the fun

Demeo x Dungeons and Dragons: Battlemarked is a cooperative multiplayer strategy game set in D&D's Forgotten Realms, available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Meta Quest, primarily designed for virtual reality (VR). The game features turn-based strategy gameplay with players choosing from various D&D classes and species, represented as virtual miniatures. It is not a virtual tabletop or a direct adaptation of D&D 5e rules. The graphics are low in polygon count but rich in character, and the game emphasizes quick play sessions without the discomfort of VR-induced nausea. The control scheme reflects its VR origins, requiring players to pick up and place figures, which feels cumbersome on a flat screen compared to other games. The game is set to release on November 20, and the reviewer notes that their experience has been limited to single-player due to illness in the office.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

72% of devs believe Steam has a monopoly on PC games, according to study

More than half of developers feel over-reliant on Steam for game distribution, with 72% believing it has a monopoly on the PC gaming market. A survey by Atomik Research involved 306 industry executives, with 75% in senior management and 77% from studios with over 50 employees. For many studios, Steam accounts for over 75% of their revenue, but developers are exploring alternatives like the Epic Games Store (48% have distributed there), GOG (10%), and Itch.io (8%). The study notes that 32% of developers still release physical game formats. Developers value alternative channels for ease of use, pricing control, promotional support, and international reach. Looking forward, 80% expect to use alternative channels alongside Steam, with 75% anticipating at least a 10% revenue increase from these platforms. Concerns remain about the gray market and distribution control challenges.

AppWizard

August 31, 2025

Report shows 90% of European gaming revenue in 2024 was digital purchases, but only 15% was on PC

Recent findings indicate that digital purchases dominate the gaming market in Europe, with 90% of overall gaming revenue in 2024 coming from digital sales, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Physical game purchases have decreased to 10% of total revenue, down from 20% in 2020, representing a 50% decline over four years. Overall gaming revenue grew by 4% in 2024. The reasons for the decline in physical sales remain unclear, whether due to consumer preference for digital formats or fewer physical game releases.

BetaBeacon

July 30, 2025

Ayaneo just announced the “world’s first flip dual-screen Android handheld” for 3DS games, and I’m more excited about it than the Windows version

Ayaneo has unveiled a new gaming handheld called the Ayaneo Pocket DS, which is the world's first Android clamshell portable for 3DS games.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Psychological Horror Game ‘Luto’ Out Now on PC, Consoles

Selecta Play and Broken Bird Games have launched the psychological horror game Luto, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. A physical Special Edition for PlayStation 5 is also available. In Luto, players experience the journey of an individual dealing with loss and mental turmoil, exploring themes of grief, anxiety, and depression. The game addresses various phobias, including monophobia, claustrophobia, agoraphobia, and nyctophobia. Players navigate chilling environments, making choices that affect their journey through madness and uncovering fragmented memories. The Special Edition includes the physical game, a comic that expands the lore, collectible stickers, and a stylish o-card slipcover.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

The 5 rarest PC games you’ll never own

PC gaming is a significant part of the video game industry, with both digital and physical releases appealing to gamers and collectors. - Dark Souls III (Prestige Edition): Released in 2016, this edition includes an art book, a metal case, and a 40cm Lord of Cinder figure. Loose versions can sell for around , while complete editions can exceed ,000. - Garage Bad Dream Adventure: A point-and-click horror game released in 1999 with only 3,000 copies produced. Complete copies are valued between ,500 and over ,200. - Rockford: An arcade game from 1988 adapted for home computers. Loose copies are valued over ,000, while complete-in-box versions can reach upwards of ,500, and sometimes exceed ,000 at auction. - Wolfenstein 3D: Released in 1992, this first-person shooter has loose copies valued around 0 and complete editions averaging around ,200, often fetching higher at auction. - Nora Princess And Stray Cat Heart: A 2016 adult visual novel with limited physical release. Loose versions exceed ,000, and complete-in-box editions can reach prices as high as ,000 at auctions. Physical releases in PC gaming are increasingly rare and valuable, often requiring significant financial investment to acquire.