KUALA LUMPUR: Digital sales figures for the PlayStation 5 have gone up, according to Sony’s recent PlayStation financial report.
Over 80 per cent of PlayStation 5 games sold in the last three months were digital copies. These figures also include microtransactions and downloadable content.
While a good number of people are still trying to convince Sony to reverse its digital-only course and keep offering physical games to some extent, the numbers do not lie.
Some may argue that fewer exclusive games mean less support for the current gaming platform.
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As per the Sony Group slide above, there’s an inverse relationship between PlayStation “exclusive” games and the financial viability of the ecosystem.
There were way more exclusive games back in the PS1 and PS2 days compared to the PS5. While exclusive games are nice to have, they do not matter in the grand scheme of things if your platform is already billed as the “go-to” gaming console for all your gaming needs.
Sony has and always will be a corporation. Sales and revenue are still its bottom line, whether you like it or not. Your core values and ideals, as well as your need for exclusives to justify a console purchase, will not gel with the current Sony corporate mandate.
Based on the sales they are getting, and the sales they are projecting with their current digital-only path, they have many others who are willing to embrace the all-digital gaming future.
Besides, they have other, bigger problems to worry about than the vocal physical media-loving minority.
Shuttered multiplayer games-as-a-service titles and their repercussions, executive mismanagement, rising console manufacturing costs that will affect the upcoming PlayStation 6, paying way too much for game developers who are a shell of their former selves, and current first-party game studios that are not delivering the goods; the list goes on.
Short Beats
Electronic Arts has announced the completion of its acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners for US$55 billion. EA has since turned private, with its debt now at US$22 billion instead of US$2.2 billion.
On a related note, EA could be set for “mass layoffs” as it aims to cut costs following the PIF acquisition.
Roblox has lost US$70 billion in value, with the company attributing this to a lack of viral games.
An extended look at the upcoming action-adventure open-world title Grand Theft Auto 6 will be aired on Netflix this Aug 27.
Director Eli Roth stated that the failed video game movie adaptation of 2K Games looter shooter Borderlands failed because it was cut to a PG-13 rating and thus “belonged to nobody”. According to the Variety interview, fans did not get the violence, while children were not interested in the setting.
Recently deceased renowned actor Sam Neill will reportedly star in the upcoming The Legend of Zelda live-action film.
Op-Ed
We talk about the fighting game windfall gamers have been experiencing over the past few weeks, and this month of August in a special video.
Games of the Week
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is a 2D fighting game featuring 4-versus-4 tag fighting combat and popular heroes from Marvel Comics. Play as favourite superheroes from series such as Spider-Man, The Avengers and X-Men in versus combat with a robust fighting game system and tag mechanic, lush graphics, online and offline play, and a story mode written and illustrated by the comic brand’s finest creators. It is out for PC and PlayStation 5, though the PC version is currently unoptimised and is not worth buying yet.
Montabi is an Indonesian-made indie creature-collector roguelike deckbuilder. Collect and capture unique Montabi, build powerful decks, and survive challenges in the city as you become the best Montabi trainer out there. Out for PC, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.
Beast of Reincarnation is an action role-playing game from Game Freak and Fictions. Play as the warrior Emma as she teams up with her dog Koo to fight off the harsh world and beasts in unique “one person, one dog action RPG” combat. Out for PC, Xbox and PlayStation.
Akatori is a 2D search action-platformer from Contrast Games. Play as a monk-in-training Mako as she explores diverse realms, fights formidable foes, and stops the Amber Storms from ruining her world. Out on PC.
Capy Castaway is a cozy narrative adventure title from Kitten Cup Studio, slated for PC. Play solo or with a friend in this relaxing storybook adventure filled with cute capybaras and puzzles.
ReStory is a simulation title from Mandragora and tinyBuild, slated for PC. As the owner of a Tokyo-based electronics store, grow your business by fixing consoles and music players alongside other nostalgia-inducing devices, and talk with your customers in this quaint adventure simulation.
Recommended Viewing
Industry reporter Jason Schreier talks about how Annapurna Interactive lost its entire staff overnight due to mismanagement.
