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Rockstar Games' decision to drop discs for GTA 6 is still sparking debate in the industry. More and more studio representatives believe this could accelerate a complete move away from physical game releases. The head of Poland's CI Games also weighed in, presenting concrete calculations on sales profits. The data shows why publishers are increasingly opting for digital distribution. For players, this means further changes in the console market.
Developers earn significantly more from digital copies
CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski believes the decision by Rockstar Games and Sony could significantly accelerate the shift away from physical releases. He says that by 2027 the number of new games released on discs could sharply decline. The reason is primarily financial. Tyminski calculates that at a game price of $69.99 a studio receives only about $26 per physical copy. The rest is eaten up by retailer and distributor margins and the costs of producing discs and packaging. With digital sales, creators can receive around $49 per copy. The difference becomes even larger with subsequent promotions and price cuts. The head of CI Games admits their upcoming game Lords of the Fallen 2 will still be released on discs, but from a business perspective it is increasingly hard to justify keeping that sales model. Especially when physical editions already account for less than 20 percent of total sales. According to him, the decision to switch to digital distribution is becoming obvious for many companies.
The future of physical releases is in doubt
In recent days Sony confirmed that starting in 2028 it will stop producing new game discs for PlayStation. Combined with Rockstar Games' decision regarding GTA 6, this could set a new direction for the entire industry. Proposals are emerging to keep physical releases only as pricier collector's editions. Marek Tyminski, however, believes that such a model won't solve the problem, because it would further reduce interest in discs. At the same time, gamers are increasingly voicing opposition to the full digitization of the market. Petitions and many critical voices against the decisions of the biggest console makers are appearing online. So far, however, there is no indication that Sony or other publishers plan to change course. Everything suggests that digital distribution will play an increasingly larger role in the coming years. For many gamers, this could mean the definitive end of the era of physical releases.
According to the CEO of CI Games, the absence of physical discs in GTA 6 and Sony's decision could accelerate the decline of physical releases as early as 2027. The main reason is significantly higher profits from digital sales, which are increasingly influencing publishers' decisions.
source: wccftech
