Certain Stores Might Stop Offering Xbox Game Discs

• Preservation of retro games is a significant challenge in the video game industry.
• Physical Xbox games are being discontinued in some European stores due to poor sales.
• Xbox's shift towards digital gaming has decreased demand for physical games.
• Major Xbox releases are opting for all-digital releases.
• Streamers Visuals has reached out to Microsoft for comment on this shift.

The Struggle of Game Preservation in the Industry

The video game industry faces a significant challenge in preserving games, particularly retro ones. A staggering 87 percent of these games are disappearing at an alarming rate due to the passage of time and various other factors. In addition, many modern games are being abruptly discontinued for unspecified reasons.

The situation appears to be worsening, as there are now signs that some European retail stores have stopped stocking physical Xbox games due to poor sales.

Declining Physical Game Sales

In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz Editor-in-Chief James Batchelor, Chris Dring, the site's head, was asked about his thoughts on Microsoft's recent layoffs. The cut included nearly 2,000 employees, many of whom were reportedly responsible for bringing Xbox games to physical retail.

Dring voiced his concerns, stating that "several retailers" have stopped selling Xbox discs. He was informed by a major publisher before Christmas that many retailers across Europe have stopped listing Xbox games because the console has become predominantly digital.

Shift Towards Digital Gaming

Dring further explained that with Xbox's shift towards digital gaming, physical retailers may not be affected as much. While they might sell peripherals like controllers, the demand for physical Xbox games has significantly decreased.

In fact, Xbox's digital presence is not far behind PC and mobile, which are currently the dominant platforms for digital gaming.

The Future of Physical Games

While this shift towards digital gaming may surprise those who have grown up with physical copies of games, it seems like an inevitable progression. Many Xbox games, such as Hi-Fi Rush, are currently digital only.

Even major releases like Alan Wake II and the upcoming Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga are opting for an all-digital release. With rumors that Xbox plans to remove the disc drive from Series X in a 2024 update, we should prepare for a future with fewer boxed games.

Request for Comment

Streamers Visuals has reached out to Microsoft for a comment on this matter.

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