- Take-Two’s CEO has weighed in on the physical vs. digital games debate in the latest earnings call.
- He says discs don’t make sense for consumers, since most of them require internet access anyway.
- Digital ownership is just a more convenient option nowadays, but he doesn’t rule out physical editions for games.
The physical vs. digital games debate has continued since Sony announced it is ending disc production of first-party titles in 2028. Third-party publishers are expected to follow suit, as they are not concerned about the cancellation of physical games.
Now, the Take-Two CEO has also weighed in on the topic after he was questioned in the latest earnings call following the Q1 2027 financial report. He refused to comment about Sony’s decision to cancel physical games but elaborated on Take-Two’s business strategy.
He argues that discs just don’t make sense for consumers anymore, as most physical games require internet access for licensing checks and online components anyway.
Why it matters: The Take-Two CEO’s remarks have divided the gaming industry, as digital is indeed more convenient for multiple reasons. However, the importance of discs cannot be understated in terms of game preservation and game ownership arguments.
While answering questions in the latest earnings call, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick clarifies that digital downloads are just the more convenient option in this day and age.
Discs don’t really make sense for the consumer. Also, most instances, you have to register online to play anyhow. So, if you’re already connected like who cares? You can download digitally, its all the same, it’s much more convenient.
-Take-Two CEO, Strauss zelnick.
Strauss also mentions that 90% of Take-Two’s entire gaming business and sales are already digital. Physical game sales are expected to further drop over the coming years, if current trends are anything to go by.
Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed as is. Its already [a] digital business.
However, this does not mean that Take-Two is shunning the disc editions of games entirely. The company CEO confirms that games will continue to receive boxed editions here and there moving forward.
Do you think the Take-Two CEO is right about digital being more convenient for gamers compared to physical media, or has he downplayed the importance of discs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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