Microsoft is shifting towards digital-only releases for some upcoming Xbox games, with three titles—The Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Gears of War: Reloaded—being released physically on PS5 but only digitally on Xbox Series X|S, reflecting a broader industry trend towards digital gaming. Gears of War: Reloaded will be available physically on all platforms, but the other two titles will only include download codes for Xbox, highlighting Microsoft's focus on digital sales. The move is partly driven by consumer behavior and industry uncertainties.
Microsoft is increasingly shifting towards digital-only releases for Xbox games, reducing physical editions and raising concerns about game preservation and consumer choice, despite official statements suggesting a balanced approach.
Microsoft is reportedly set to release a white, digital-only version of the Xbox Series X in "June or July" this year, featuring an improved heatsink and upgraded Nexus card while ditching the optical disc drive of the original model. This follows leaks from last year and addresses concerns about Microsoft's support for physical media, although the company has not officially confirmed the release.
Microsoft has reportedly shut down departments dedicated to bringing physical Xbox games to retail as part of mass layoffs, leading to speculation about the company's future in physical game distribution. While it's not confirmed that Microsoft is quitting physical retail for Xbox games, the industry seems to be favoring a digital-only approach. Limited Run, a physical games publisher, has expressed its commitment to supporting Xbox physical releases whenever possible, but noted that the majority of Xbox gamers are digital-first. Additionally, there are reports of layoffs affecting internal customer support teams for Activision Blizzard games and significant staff reductions at Sledgehammer Games.
Despite Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 being a digital-only release, Xbox fans shouldn't dismiss the game, as it could still offer an exceptional gaming experience. While the lack of physical copies is disappointing for some, the trend towards digital-only releases is evident in the gaming industry. Microsoft's decision likely reflects the growing dominance of digital sales, and while it may disappoint physical media enthusiasts, boycotting the game solely for this reason may not be justified.
The New York Times announced that it now has over 10 million subscribers, with 9.41 million being digital-only and 670,000 being print subscribers. The company reported an adjusted operating profit of $89.8 million in its latest quarter, up from $69 million a year earlier. The Times has been focusing on getting subscribers to sign up for multiple offerings, and nearly 3.8 million digital-only subscribers are subscribed to at least two products. The acquisition of The Athletic has contributed to revenue growth, with the company expecting total subscription revenue to increase in the final quarter of the year. However, print subscribers continue to decline.
Remedy Entertainment confirms that there are currently no plans for a physical version of Alan Wake 2 and explains that a remastered version of Alan Wake American Nightmare didn't happen due to technical differences. The decision for a digital-only release is made by Remedy's management and the publisher. However, the possibility of physical releases and remasters in the future is not ruled out. Alan Wake 2 will be launching digitally on October 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Alan Wake 2 will only have a digital release when it launches on October 17th later this year, with "no plans" for a physical release on disc at the time. The game's creative director and game director explained that going digital-only was to allow Remedy more time to polish the game to an acceptable level, something publisher Epic Games had also been on board with. The decision was made to ensure that the game is released in a state that the developers are proud of and that players will enjoy.
Bethesda's upcoming AAA game, Starfield, will reportedly not have a physical release and instead will include a code for the chosen platform in all physical editions. This move towards digital-only releases is becoming more common in the gaming industry, with other titles like Alan Wake 2 and Like a Dragon Gaiden also receiving digital-only releases. The tweet from Bethesda Support confirming this has since been deleted, but fans should keep an eye on official channels for updates. Starfield is set to release on September 6 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Alan Wake 2 will be released on October 17, 2023, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via the Epic Games Store. The game will be a full-on survival-horror and will feature a second playable character, an FBI agent. The game will be a digital-only release, with Remedy citing the shift towards digital-only gaming and the desire to keep the game's price lower as reasons for this decision.
