Capcom, the developer behind major franchises such as Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, has indicated that the ongoing decline in physical game sales is unlikely to significantly affect its business. In a recent investor Q&A, the company stated that approximately 90% of its unit sales are already digital, leading it to anticipate no substantial impact from the shift away from physical media.
This statement comes as the gaming industry continues its transition towards digital distribution. Sony has announced plans to phase out game discs for new PlayStation 5 titles starting in January 2028, with speculation that the upcoming PlayStation 6 will be entirely disc-less. Xbox is also reportedly exploring methods to allow players to transfer game licenses from physical discs to digital ownership. Nintendo employs a hybrid approach, offering physical cartridges, game key cards, and digital codes, though it has recently made digital versions of new Switch 2 games approximately $10 cheaper than their physical counterparts to incentivize digital purchases. Nintendo's own financial reports show a slight increase in its digital to physical sales ratio, reaching 61.5%, although this figure remains lower than some other publishers. Nintendo fans are noted for their preference for physical ownership, citing ease of sharing and trading games.
Capcom is experiencing a successful financial year, with its new title Pragmata selling over 2 million units and Resident Evil 4 selling 8 million units. The publisher has several upcoming releases, including Onimusha: Way of the Sword on September 4, Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen for the Switch 2 on October 9, and Resident Evil Veronica next year. Additionally, major expansions for both Resident Evil 4 and Monster Hunter Wilds are in development.