Microsoft Gaming is once again causing a buzz in the industry, this time due to its unique approach to physical formats. Recent revelations surrounding Gears of War: Reloaded and Ninja Gaiden 4 have sparked discussions, as these games will have physical versions on PS5 with included discs, but not on Xbox Series. On top of that, The Outer Worlds 2 will have a physical version on Xbox Series, but instead of a disc, it will contain a code in the box.
Windows Central tried to uncover more details about this issue, but so far, there has been no official response from Microsoft Gaming. The topic is stirring up plenty of debates, with Chris Dring, a well-known expert in video game sales, noting that in some parts of the world, Xbox consoles are not available in stores.
According to Dring, Microsoft Gaming is scaling back its investment in physical formats due to rising costs, which only make up around 10% to 15% of Xbox Gaming Studios game sales. In comparison, digital sales make up a whopping 64% of Sony game sales on the PS5. Additionally, the company wants to avoid the expense of manufacturing excess inventory that may not sell.
Another respected analyst, Daniel Ahmad, chimed in to say that Microsoft’s actions shouldn’t be surprising, as “90% of premium game sales on Xbox are digital, even when a disc option is available.” This trend is closely tied to the success of Series S and the emphasis on the digital ecosystem, including Game Pass and xCloud.
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