JazzMX5.bsky.social

[Does it play? @DoesItPlay1]

Everyone is talking about the digital-physical-split percentages. So we will too!

The TL;DR: Most of what has been parroted about consumer preference is wildly exaggerated at best, or a mix of a bad faith campaign and severe negligence at worst.

Sony has announced the death of physical media because of "changing consumer trends". Most of us can already smell the bullshit it in this fake excuse. It is when we take a closer look that we discover just how much of a lie that statement really is.

Let's start by scrutinizing the most repeated number lately: 85 % of sales are digital.

This number exists. But in what context?

It comes from the Fiscal Year Q4 report for 2025. ONLY IN THIS QUARTER did we get this number. The overall percentage for the entire year 2025 is "only" 78 %.

Still sounds bad. Where is the lie, then?

It comes with what both sides include. The digital part also accounts for digital-only games. AKA products which didn't give a choice to the customer. You could either add to the digital tally or not play these games at all. This alone should show you how they use statistics to deceive the public.

But we are not done.

If you look at honest comparisons, like those we got through the infamous Insomniac leaks in 2022, or certain market reports from the UK more recently, you will find games that even sell predominantly physical. Many of which are Sony's own first party titles. So their games sell more physical copies, but they still dare to use consumer preference as the excuse.

Not convinced?

Let's look at the even broader picture. Researching online we can find an infographic illustrating the development of the physical-digital split over the years. Admittedly, there is a constant decline for the physical share. Abysmal even in the years up to 2020. HOWEVER, in recent years the year on year decline has slowed down and has almost reached a stable plateau.

Oh, and have we mentioned that the vaaaaaaast majority of all players own a console that can read discs? 82 % is the number floating around online. We take a page out of Sony's book and just run with it for now. Only, let's add that even the other 18 % might not be digital-only die-hards. After all, there were times when both the disc console and the detachable disc drive were sold out at some point.

What would you say does that show about consumer preference?

Less than 18 % actually prefer digital.

Just with a little research we have come from "85 % prefer digital" to "less than a fifth of the customer base actually does".

So why does Sony push for a change? You know by now. Money!

Multiple areas they benefit in in an all-digital future:

1) Margins for digital games are simply better. The save the entire overhead for physical production, logistics, customer service/returns, retailer cuts, etc.

2) This is the big one: The death of the second hand market. Or at least they think that's beneficial, if they ignore the facts that second hand buyers can also contribute to digital revenue, and they help with discoverability/word of mouth advertising. We wouldn't be surprised if this comes back to haunt Sony.

3) Pricing monopoly: They set the prices. They decide discounts. They decide the number of sales that happen, if any.

The key word is REVENUE!

Because that is another great opportunity to play with alarming numbers. The revenue percentage split between digital and physical makes the gap look even wider, of course. Despite selling almost 70 million physical copies, that area generated relatively low revenue. It accounts for only a little over 10 % of the revenue generated by game sales.

That's the moment when "reliable" analysts and "quality" media could formulate headlines like "Physical media is dying - Makes up only 10 %". But that's not alarmist enough. They can do one "better".

You might ask, "But DoesItPlay?, why do I see people claim that the gaming space is over 95 % digital?"

Let's reveal the most evil trick of them all, shall we?

Let's take a look at that FY 2025 report again. The overall category is called "Game Software". In here (and subsequently in the blogs of the anti-physical crowd) the biggest lie materializes. "Game Software" does not only include digital and physical game sales. It also accounts for ANY TYPE OF ADDITIONAL CONTENT (expansions, in-game currency, microtransactions of all sorts) and "Other Software", which is not even specified as to what that could be exactly. If we now lump all of this together and check the percentage of physical game revenue, we land at roughly 4,7 %.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the single biggest gaslighting this industry has pulled on you when it comes to lying about consumer preference.

It was never about consumer preference. It was about maximizing profits and control over what should be rightfully yours after a purchase.

[Velodus✨ @velodus]

There's no better case for socialism than the world's first trillionaire being a massive loser who cosplays as his mom and baby online and lies about being good at video games in an attempt to give his life meaning.

[WIRED @WIRED]

More than 200 of the world's elites registered for a retreat whose agenda runs from panels on cult-building and sex to prepping for World War III. An associated app offers matchmaking. https://t.co/ib53DjHHE6

[Domino's Pizza UK @Dominos_UK]

BREAKING NEWS

[Victor Lucas @Victor_Lucas]

The game industry spent its first 40 years growing (with bumps) training players how to consume, collect and enjoy videogames.

It has since spent the last decade or so changing all the rules and making things very confusing for its most loyal and long term fans.

I think all of this “progress” has twisted the entire modern medium into some pretty perilous positions. We are seeing the ramifications of some of these major business decisions play out in real time.

I don’t understand.

Killing physical media for videogames is equivalent to movie studios killing theatrical releases. It’s not just the sale of the media, it’s the IRL bump in awareness and cultural value that these products get at retail and by people seeing these brands in the real world.

Game biz should stop just counting beans and start counting its lucky stars that so many people care.

[Domino's Pizza UK @Dominos_UK]

makes about as much sense as us changing to digital pizzas

[Harry Eccles @Heccles94]

Return your unwanted Reform UK flyers to this address and it costs them £2.50 a pop.

Pop this address on an envelope with the flyer in, and pop it in a post box!

The more we return, the less they will send!

[JazzMX5.bsky.social @JazzMX5]

#MSGDeltaSweepstakes #MGSDeltaSweepstakes

[XBOX @XBOX]

Gear up for your next mission 🐍

Follow & repost with #MSGDeltaSweepstakes for a chance to win a Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater custom controller!

Ages 18+. Ends December 15, 2025. Rules: https://t.co/xngBVfaCoj

[XBOX @XBOX]

Gear up for your next mission 🐍

Follow & repost with #MSGDeltaSweepstakes for a chance to win a Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater custom controller!

Ages 18+. Ends December 15, 2025. Rules: https://t.co/xngBVfaCoj

[JazzMX5.bsky.social @JazzMX5]

Join the Freedom To Buy event! 48-hour giveaway to support the freedom to buy games. https://t.co/jHc1RX1VJ3

[BlackSabbath @BlackSabbath]

Ozzy Forever!

[Jim Caddick @Caddicarus]

He wasn’t ready to go, did what he needed to do, had a blast, said his goodbyes, and then left. From start to end, everything he did was on his own terms. Absolute fucking icon. RIP Ozzy. ❤️

[JazzMX5.bsky.social @JazzMX5]

@AlixWiltonRegan Here's hoping, Alix. I was really looking forward to this one, great to see your passion for it too. You are not alone!

[Assassin's Creed @assassinscreed]

@elonmusk @Grummz @Ubisoft Is that what the guy playing your Path of Exile 2 account told you?

[JazzMX5.bsky.social @JazzMX5]

@Twinwar @DinaMeyer You speak the truth.

[Mariella Frostrup @mariellaf1]

King Charles MUST cancel this UK #Trump visit. Does anyone want to see our monarch in an embarrassing photo opportunity with the baby bully currently inhabiting the White House after tonight’s disgusting tantrum? Surely no matter what our struggles we are better than that?!

[David Leavitt 🎲🎮🧙‍♂️🌈 @DavidLeavitt]

It’s the same picture

[Nature is Amazing ☘️ @AMAZlNGNATURE]

If a cargo ship passing through a shark-infested area in the ocean throws meat into the sea.

[. @jdpoc]

One of many, many reasons to make sure Reform Party never get remotely close to power, is this statement of intent that they will shut down any media that gives them hurty feelings.

I remember when they once claimed to be the party of ‘Free Speech.’

Very Berlin, 1934.

[Jo @JoJoFromJerz]

So, Trump went on tv and said he was going to deport children who were born here, consider investigating Joe Biden & pardon those who violently attacked our Capitol.
No plan for healthcare other than to terminate it, no plan for lowering inflation or the price of eggs.
Why?
Because he doesn’t give a shit about any of that.
He never did and he never will.