Target Announces End of In-Store Sales for Certain DVDs

• Major retail chain to stop offering physical DVDs in store.
• Recent AAA games skipping physical releases.
• Best Buy and Disney winding down physical media support.
• Retailer transitioning DVD sales to online, may reintroduce during holidays.
• Concerns raised about the future of physical video games.

The Future of Physical Media

The future of physical media recently took another hit as a major retail chain confirmed it would stop offering physical DVDs in store, transitioning to carrying a limited number of films in physical locations during specific, limited times. The retail giant reassured customers that games would remain unaffected by this change.

Signs of the Times

In the last two years, we’ve seen more and more signs that the era of physical media might be ending. In 2023, Alan Wake II became one of the first AAA games to skip a physical release, being available only in a digital format. In 2024, Microsoft confirmed that Senua’s Saga: Hellbade II would also skip a physical release.

The Decline of Physical Media

We also discovered earlier this year that Best Buy is winding down support for physical media in its stores and online. Additionally, in 2024, Disney shut down its long-running DVD/Bluray movie club. These changes have left those who enjoy buying and owning movies and games feeling uneasy.

Target's New Strategy

On April 18, a report revealed that a spokesperson from a major retail chain announced the retailer is transitioning the limited assortment of DVDs currently available in some stores to its website, encouraging customers to shop for physical media online. However, physical movies and TV shows might return to stores during the holidays, when the retailer suggests people are more likely to buy a DVD.

The Impact on Video Games

While this might seem like good news for gamers, the reality is that if this major retailer is willing to remove DVDs from its stores, they might one day decide to cut physical games too. If this happens at enough retailers, then game publishers might become less interested in spending the money on printing physical discs. This could lead us into a future where most big games only ship digitally.

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