The Digital Era Begins: Microsoft Shifts Away from Physical Media

In recent years, Microsoft has been distancing itself from physical media, instead focusing on creating a digital future. This shift has started to impact sales, with Xbox accounting for only 10% of total spending on physical media.

According to industry analyst Mata Piscatelli, in 2023 Nintendo managed to capture over half of the market, with 50% of all spending on physical games going towards the Nintendo platform. PlayStation came in second place, securing 40% of the physical media market. Microsoft, on the other hand, occupied the smallest share with its physical software sales amounting to just 10%.

While this may seem like a stark contrast between the platforms, Microsoft has significantly reduced its physical presence in recent times, emphasizing the Xbox Game Pass subscription as the primary place to play. Furthermore, leaked information about the refreshed Xbox Series X console from last year only showcased the digital version, suggesting that Microsoft is indeed leaving the physical market behind.

A recent report by Jez Corden from Windows Central revealed that Microsoft has “shut down departments responsible for bringing Xbox games to physical retail” – indicating that the time may soon come when Xbox has little to no physical presence in retail sales.

Although it’s unfortunate that there will eventually be a time when all gaming consoles are solely digital devices, it seems that Microsoft, in particular, is intent on accelerating this process.

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The source of the article is from the blog girabetim.com.br