Physical game releases will decline, worries about media preservation will increase
Though the numbers for 2023 have yet to be revealed, the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA) released some informative, albeit shocking, statistics last year. In 2022, an estimated 89.5% of all games sold in the UK were digital downloads. Additionally, data tracker NDP Game Pulse found that the number of new games available to purchase on cartridge or disc in the US dropped from 321 titles in 2018 to 226 in 2021–a 30% decrease. Heck, even Best Buy is cutting back on physical media sales and that’s a good chunk of what the company is known for.
All this paired with the ever-increasing rate at which streaming services are taking over our homes, brains, the world, etc., points to one overwhelming truth: Physical media is on the decline. While I’m reluctant to say it’s dying–I suspect it will go the way of vinyl rather than disappear entirely–that exclusivity is a bit frightening. Sure, less rampant consumerism and mass-produced materials ultimately ending up in landfills is great, but as we’ve recently seen with movies/television shows and streaming services, what happens when stuff becomes inaccessible or simply disappears?
Already, the Video Game History Foundation estimates that 87% of classic video games are critically endangered or lost, and rampant industry consolidation, constant internet connection requirements, and the gatekeeping of titles on certain platforms, consoles, and services makes keeping a hold of your favorite games extremely tough. It’s fortunate that we already have a foundation looking into this and pushing for preservation, but I suspect the field of media preservation (and knowing a good site to look up emulators) will become increasingly important in the coming years. — Jessica Howard
