The video game industry is witnessing a significant decline in physical game sales, with figures indicating that US sales have halved since 2021. As reported by Circana's Mat Piscatella, spending on physical game software has decreased more than 85% from its 2008 peak. The trend towards digital gaming has accelerated, coinciding with the release of disc-less versions of popular consoles such as the PS5 Slim and Xbox Series S. However, the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2 might change the trajectory of this decline, as Nintendo has traditionally favored physical media.

nWhat are the current trends in video game sales?

Current trends show a dramatic shift towards digital games, with physical sales declining significantly. This trend is expected to continue unless new hardware, such as the Nintendo Switch 2, influences the market positively.

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Baldur's Gate 3 and Diablo IV are among games demonstrating strong performance in the digital market, reflecting the industry's shift in consumer purchasing habits. As the industry adapts to preferences for convenience and downloads, physical copies may soon become collectors' items rather than mainstream products.