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The Vast Majority of Capcom's 2026 Game Sales Have Been Digital
AppWizard
July 30, 2026

The Vast Majority of Capcom’s 2026 Game Sales Have Been Digital

Capcom's financial report for Q1 2026 shows that 93.3% of its sales were from digital formats, while physical media sales accounted for 6.7%. Of the digital sales, 60.4% came from PC platforms and 32.9% from consoles. The Resident Evil franchise is a major contributor to digital sales, now ranking as the third highest-selling game franchise in Japan. Resident Evil 2 has surpassed Resident Evil 5 as the best-selling title in the series. Despite the shift towards digital gaming, Capcom has stated it will continue producing physical game discs due to ongoing demand from players.
Capcom expects 95% of its game sales to be digital in the next year, and it's pretty much already there thanks largely to PC gaming
AppWizard
July 29, 2026

Capcom expects 95% of its game sales to be digital in the next year, and it’s pretty much already there thanks largely to PC gaming

Capcom's financial report indicates that over 93% of its game sales are now digital, with expectations for this figure to increase. In the period from April to June 2026, Capcom sold 1.6 million physical games and 22.2 million digital games. The company classifies sales of game-key cards for the Switch 2 as digital transactions. The trend toward digital sales is evident, with industry analysts suggesting that physical media is becoming less relevant.
Rockstar co-founder says 'I don't know if I personally care' if games release on disc, adds 'I love physical media'
AppWizard
July 27, 2026

Rockstar co-founder says ‘I don’t know if I personally care’ if games release on disc, adds ‘I love physical media’

The installation of World of Warcraft on a family laptop required multiple discs, reflecting a time when gaming relied heavily on physical media. Today, the gaming industry has shifted towards digital formats, with major companies like PlayStation phasing out disc production. Industry figures such as Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot and Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser have commented on this transition, with Houser noting the benefits of digital distribution, including the ability to update games post-launch. Grand Theft Auto writer Jeffrey Crawford "Lazlow" Jones expressed nostalgia for physical discs while also valuing the convenience of digital downloads. The ongoing discussion about physical versus digital gaming highlights a cultural shift in entertainment engagement.
Sega like physical games too, says their president, but with the shift to digital they're keeping the humble PC in mind
AppWizard
July 25, 2026

Sega like physical games too, says their president, but with the shift to digital they’re keeping the humble PC in mind

Sega's president, Shuji Utsumi, stated that the company recognizes the importance of digital titles in the gaming industry, particularly as more players are turning to PC gaming due to accessibility issues with consoles. He emphasized the need to strengthen digital products to develop this market, especially in regions like Japan where physical media remains popular. Utsumi also expressed that Sega still values its history with physical games while adapting to the digital landscape. The company's major releases are increasingly being made available on PC, indicating a strategic shift towards aligning with evolving gamer preferences.
Sega isn't "abandoning" physical games: president reminds everyone "we used to develop consoles," but says it's eyeing PC gaming in an increasingly digital future
AppWizard
July 24, 2026

Sega isn’t “abandoning” physical games: president reminds everyone “we used to develop consoles,” but says it’s eyeing PC gaming in an increasingly digital future

Shuji Utsumi, president of Sega, acknowledged the growing global trend towards digital gaming, particularly on PC platforms, and emphasized the need for Sega to adapt its approach to game releases. He stated that the shift towards digital titles is key for "full games" on both console and PC. Despite challenges, including the cancellation of the "Super Game" project, Utsumi confirmed that franchises like Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio are still in development for both digital and physical formats.
Ubisoft CEO says ditching physical games "helped" PC gaming, and PlayStation ending discs won't "disturb" the industry much anyway
AppWizard
July 24, 2026

Ubisoft CEO says ditching physical games “helped” PC gaming, and PlayStation ending discs won’t “disturb” the industry much anyway

Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, supports Sony's plan to phase out physical PlayStation games by January 2028, highlighting the benefits of an all-digital future. He acknowledges concerns from gamers who value physical collections but notes the industry's shift towards digital formats. Currently, digital-only PS5 models are outselling disc versions, although about 70% of PS5s sold still have disc drives. While physical copies remain important and can achieve strong sales, the overall demand for them is decreasing. Nintendo is offering some digital Switch 2 games at a discount compared to physical ones, but it's uncertain if Sony will adopt similar pricing strategies. Digital game sales generally provide higher profits, suggesting that a fully digital marketplace could enhance revenue for companies like Sony and Ubisoft. Only a few PlayStation titles have exceeded 100,000 in physical sales in the U.S. this year, indicating a disconnect between consumer demand for physical games and actual purchasing behavior.
Take Note, PlayStation: Xbox Brings Classic Games To PC
AppWizard
July 23, 2026

Take Note, PlayStation: Xbox Brings Classic Games To PC

The gaming industry is experiencing a surge in demand for artificial intelligence, leading to increased hardware prices, such as the new Steam Machine exceeding ,000 despite its specifications. PlayStation plans to stop producing physical media for the PS5 by 2028, causing backlash from fans. Xbox has laid off 1,600 employees and anticipates more layoffs by the end of the 2027 fiscal year. Xbox has introduced backwards compatibility for PC, allowing access to four classic titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live and Reloaded, with enhanced features like customizable upscaling and resolution options. There is a growing interest in preserving gaming history, particularly for classic titles from the PS1, PS2, and PS3 eras, as the industry shifts towards an all-digital future.
As a PC Gamer Who Hasn’t Bought a Disc in a Decade, I Think PlayStation All-Digital Future Was a Long Time Coming – but There Are Still Reasons To Be Wary
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

As a PC Gamer Who Hasn’t Bought a Disc in a Decade, I Think PlayStation All-Digital Future Was a Long Time Coming – but There Are Still Reasons To Be Wary

Rockstar has decided not to release a physical version of its upcoming game, GTA 6, while Sony plans to stop producing discs for PlayStation consoles by January 2028. The gaming community has reacted strongly, but it is unlikely that either company will change its decision. The transition to a discless future is seen as inevitable. In the PC gaming sector, physical discs have largely become obsolete, with platforms like Steam dominating the market. The initial skepticism towards Steam has shifted as it became a reliable digital marketplace, leading to a decline in physical media. The absence of physical discs raises concerns about consumer autonomy, pricing, and game preservation, as digital ownership is often limited to licenses rather than full ownership. The shift away from physical media has been ongoing, with modern gaming increasingly reliant on digital downloads and updates.
PC Gamer Finds Clever Way to Turn Steam Games Into Physical Cartridges
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

PC Gamer Finds Clever Way to Turn Steam Games Into Physical Cartridges

A PC gamer has converted select titles from their Steam game library into physical cartridges using spare 2.5" solid-state drives (SSDs). This reflects a trend among users wanting to preserve gaming experiences in a tangible format, despite the shift towards digital-only releases in the gaming industry. Steam has been a leading platform for PC games for over twenty years, with most titles now available only in digital form. The custom cartridge system created by the gamer highlights the efforts of enthusiasts to maintain a connection to their favorite games and preserve their gaming heritage.
As PlayStation prepares to go all-digital, one PC gamer is turning Steam physical with SSD cartridges
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

As PlayStation prepares to go all-digital, one PC gamer is turning Steam physical with SSD cartridges

PlayStation plans to phase out physical discs for new releases by 2028. A Reddit user, Jibril-sama, has created a Game Cartridge system using affordable 2.5" SSDs that contain games and a script to navigate to the game's page on Steam. The system operates on Linux and requires a systemd template to function. Jibril-sama acquired 128GB SSDs for €7 each. While gamers can use an external USB drive for their Steam library, this method lacks the charm of individual cartridges. Jibril-sama notes that players do not truly "own" their games on Steam due to reliance on Valve's online authentication.
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