The dependable Jez Corden of Home windows Central has mentioned that Microsoft has shut down its total bodily video games division, the division answerable for bringing Xbox video games to brick-and-mortar shops.
“Microsoft has additionally shut down departments devoted to bringing Xbox video games to bodily retail … which should you’ve seen the digital-only Xbox console leaks … nicely, you will get an thought of the place Microsoft goes right here.” mentioned Jez.
Microsoft has additionally shut down departments devoted to bringing Xbox video games to bodily retail … which should you’ve seen the digital-only Xbox console leaks … nicely, you will get an thought of the place Microsoft goes right here.
— Jez (@JezCorden) January 25, 2024
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This ties into the saddening information that Microsoft is chopping 1900 jobs throughout its gaming divisions.
Jez accurately identified that whereas the division answerable for bodily editions of video games could have been shut down, it could not imply Xbox intends to stop gross sales of bodily video games. They could choose to outsource these duties as a substitute.
Of the three consoles obtainable, the Xbox sometimes has probably the most digital gross sales to bodily, possible pushed by the truth that nearly all of Xbox consoles are the Sequence S which doesn’t have a disc drive for bodily video games. Right here within the UK, it was estimated that virtually 90% of recreation gross sales in 2022 had been digital.
Leaked paperwork additionally counsel Microsoft plans on its subsequent console being centered purely on bodily video games. In different phrases, all the things paints an image of a digital future, at the very least within the eyes of Microsoft.
I’m personally nonetheless a lover of bodily media, particularly as a result of to evaluation as many video games as doable I’ll purchase a duplicate, beat the sport and promote it in an effort to put the cash towards the subsequent title I wish to cowl. I don’t have an issue with firms specializing in digital gross sales, however I additionally imagine there’s loads of room for each to exist. Nevertheless, from the angle of Microsoft, a digital sale of a first-party title means they hold all the cash, whereas a bodily sale brings in much less.
Supermarkets and shops are additionally slowly phasing out bodily media it appears. Right here within the UK, Tesco not shares video games whereas Asda has drastically lowered its video games and films to virtually nothing. in the meantime, retailer GAME has introduced plans to stop promoting pre-owned titles. Within the US there are stories of Walmart planning on eliminating video games as nicely.
