Physical copies still make up 30.4% of console games owned, according to a Newzoo survey of 6,166 premium gamers across six countries. While digital dominates overall—with free-to-play and subscriptions accounting for over half of all games played—physical media remains popular for offline access, tangible ownership, and storage relief. Reselling and lending ranked lower, though digital platforms still lack these features.
PC gamers reported only 6% physical ownership, though GOG aims to change that. The survey follows Sony’s announcement to discontinue physical discs for new PlayStation games by January 2028, citing digital preference. Alinea Analytics data shows physical sales under 20% of 2026 PlayStation revenue, yet a significant console audience still values physical copies.
Source: TechPowerUp News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing