Breaking News: Major Retailer Set to Ditch Physical Games, Shocking Report Reveals!
Major retailer may cease physical media sales in-store and online as early as next year, claims report
Highlights
Best Buy could potentially discontinue the sale of physical media, such as Blu-rays and DVDs, as early as Q1 2024. This decision falls in line with other retailers who have also adapted to the increasing prevalence of digital sales.
The decision, if true, raises concerns about the availability and preservation of classic and current-gen games, leaving Walmart, Target, and Amazon as the primary retailers for physical media. Critics argue that although digital games provide convenience and space-saving benefits, the transition to digital-only gaming presents challenges for game preservation and access to older titles.
Regrettably for fans of discs and video game box art, it has been reported that Best Buy is expected to cease the sale of all physical media as early as next year. This decision follows a previous report that made headlines this year, indicating a significant decline in physical game sales.
Should these reports prove accurate, Best Buy would not be the pioneer in this transition. An esteemed UK retailer had already declared its discontinuation of physical game sales in stores earlier this year. As digital sales continue to surge, this retailer maintains that physical games are no longer a profitable venture. If recent speculations hold true, it appears that Best Buy may be going a step further in this direction.
Online publisher The Digital Bits has claimed to have received information from multiple sources stating that Best Buy is planning to discontinue the sale of all physical media by Q1 2024. According to the report, Best Buy will not only halt in-store sales of physical media but will also cease the online sale of such products. This includes Blu-rays, DVDs, 4K Ultra HD discs, and collectible steelbooks. It is worth mentioning, however, that the retailer has not yet confirmed or denied the validity of this information.
If factual, Walmart, Target, and Amazon would be the remaining major retailers to sell physical media. It is surprising that Best Buy may withdraw from the competition, considering they are the only retailer dedicated to electronics among the group. This is a concern for physical media enthusiasts, but even digital media stores have closed down. Nintendo made headlines this year when they closed their 3DS and Wii U eShops. This means that the only way to obtain 3DS and Wii U titles is by purchasing physical copies, but now there are fewer stores selling them.
As critics of digital-only gaming argue, the issue is not just about convenience but also about preservation. A recent study revealed that only a very small percentage of classic games are commercially available. This is a more significant problem for retro titles, but even current-generation games have a limited time frame of being considered "current."
The report should be treated with caution until an official announcement is made. However, it is consistent with recent trends. Particularly in recent years, digital games have become increasingly convenient. Although it may be necessary to buy an external hard drive to accommodate a large gaming library, it can also save a significant amount of space.
