The world of gaming is changing and it's no secret that digital game sales are on the rise. But, what may come as a surprise to some is that as many as 75% of all games purchased in 2023 where digital. This is a huge shift in the industry and one that we should all pay attention to.
Let's start by looking at the convenience factor. Gone are the days of having to trek to a physical store to buy your next gaming fix. Online marketplaces like Steam, the PlayStation Store and the Xbox Games Store have made it incredibly easy for consumers to purchase and download games at the click of a button. These marketplaces offer a vast selection of games, from the latest AAA titles to indie games and are available 24/7. This means that consumers can purchase games from the comfort of their own homes, without the need to travel to a physical store, making it a no-brainer for many.
But, it's not just about convenience. The shift towards digital consumption is happening across all industries, not just gaming. Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify have made it easier for people to consume digital content and the increasing use of smartphones and tablets has made it even more convenient. This shift towards digital consumption as a whole is being reflected in the gaming industry, with more and more people choosing to purchase and play games digitally.
Now, let's take a look at the numbers. According to a report from SuperData Research, in 2019, digital game sales surpassed physical game sales with the global digital games market reaching $152 billion, while the global physical games market was $16 billion. In 2020, the global digital games market reached $159 billion, while the global physical games market was $13 billion. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, with the global digital games market projected to reach $198 billion by the end of 2023. That's a significant increase that's hard to ignore.
But, the COVID-19 pandemic has also played a role in the shift towards digital gaming. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, many people have been spending more time at home, which has led to an increase in gaming. As a result, digital game sales have seen an even more significant increase from 2020. This has accelerated the shift towards digital game sales and is likely to have a lasting impact on the industry.
Another game-changer (no pun intended) is the rise of cloud gaming and subscription-based services such as Google Stadia, Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Now. These services have made it even more convenient for consumers to access a wide variety of games without having to purchase them outright. This is likely to have a big impact on the shift towards digital game sales.
So there we have it, the gaming industry is going through a significant shift.
It's an exciting time to be a gamer, with so many new and innovative ways to play and purchase games. But there's something about a physical collection that will never go away. Owning a tangible piece of gaming history is here to stay no matter how small the split. Even if it eventually just comes down to buying and selling rare releases or titles to complete connections.
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