The State of the UK’s Physical Games Market Might Explain PS5 Pro’s Lack of Disc Drive

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For several years, there’s been a steady decline in the sale of physical video games in the UK. However, the year 2024 might witness the most significant change in this trend.

Compared to the previous year, the total video game revenue of the country in 2024 experienced a decrease of about 4.4%. However, it’s important to note that physical game sales dropped significantly by almost 35%. On the other hand, digital sales saw a more modest decline of approximately 1%.

Approximately 7% of the overall earnings of £4.6 billion came from physical game sales, which equated to around £324.4 million.

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Here are some points to ponder. It’s not new that the UK has been moving towards digital for quite some time now, so it’s not really unexpected that physical sales have taken a dip. However, it’s important to note that in 2023, the game Hogwarts Legacy was launched, and it has proven to be incredibly successful.

2024 offered games like EA Sports FC 25 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which are released annually, but unlike those, the release of Hogwarts wasn’t an annual event, and this could have impacted the statistics from the previous year.

In the year 2024, it’s true that EA Sports FC 25 was the top-selling game in the United Kingdom, and an impressive 80% of its total sales, which amounted to 2.9 million units, were made through digital marketplaces.

Of course, there’s always room for improvement, and it’s possible that the year 2025 could bring about a more favorable timeframe for the physical market. The anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 this year might provide a significant lift in itself. Furthermore, the upcoming successor to the Nintendo Switch is expected in 2025, and with consumers likely purchasing new software for the latest device, this could undoubtedly increase the numbers in the market.

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As a gamer, I can’t help but notice that the UK, much like the global gaming scene, is gravitating more towards digital games. The physical market is undeniably shrinking as we speak. This shift is evident in consoles like the upcoming PS5 Pro, which comes without a disc drive straight out of the box – a clear indication that digital gaming is on the rise.

What’s your opinion? Last year, did you help to make the UK’s small income from physical games sales, or are you fully committed to digital formats? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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2025-01-08 16:06