Analysis Reveals 83% of Console Games Were Sold Digitally In 2023

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Abiyan

At Tech4gamers, I cover all sorts of gaming news. Whether it’s a leak of any upcoming game or an update, an announcement, or a rumour, I like to write about it all. Over the weekend, I sit and write features where I talk about games that I miss or want to see return.

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Digital sales have grown to much more significant numbers in the last two generations, as it is more convenient for players to purchase and download the game. While there will always be those who want physical releases, digital-exclusive games like Alan Wake 2 show the shifting trend.

According to an analysis, the market for digital games has never been larger than in 2023. 83% of all console games sold this year were digital copies.

Why it matters: Both digital and physical media users are quite passionate about their preferred sides despite the statistics, leading to mixed reception when the results show such a landslide victory for digital games.

GamesIndustry has released charts sharing some interesting facts about the gaming industry in 2023, revealing that Hogwarts Legacy was the best-selling title this year in the UK and USA.

Other facts include Starfield’s position as the most covered game of the year. However, elaborating on the split between physical and digital games, it has been noted that only 17% of console games were sold as physical discs.

While many still disagree with publishers skipping physical releases, the data suggests this is the right move. Combining PC games into the mix reveals an even more interesting result.

A total of 95% of the industry’s games were sold as digital copies. Individually, 99% of the games on PC were sold digitally. This may sound concerning for enthusiasts of physical collections, but the future is still a mystery.

Recently, the head of GameStop stated that no console should launch without a disc drive. However, this data has likely forced console manufacturers to consider their options for the next generation.

Profit margins for games are also typically higher for digital games, making it an easy choice for the likes of PlayStation and Xbox.

Despite the data showing otherwise, we believe physical games should be given importance. Many of us are still fond of collecting games, and we consider it an integral part of the classic experience of enjoying the hobby.

The gaming industry has evolved a lot in recent years. A shift toward digital games seems like a natural progression, with the market highlighting its preference for digital media despite the existing soft spot for physical games.

Abiyan

[News Reporter]

Abiyan is on track to complete his Computer Science bachelor’s degree. His enthusiasm for writing and gaming motivates him to keep readers and gamers updated with the latest information from the industry. In his free time, Abiyan enjoys playing Dota 2 and Rocket League. Abiyan has also been cited in reputed websites such as Kitguru, Comicbook, GamingBible, Eurogamer and Gamingbolt.