New sales data from Circana indicates a stark business reality for physical game sales on PlayStation, with only a handful of titles achieving significant unit sales in the U.S. this year. Analyst Mat Piscatella reported that as of the week ending July 11, just two PlayStation games sold over 10,000 physical copies in the U.S. for that specific week.
Looking at the year-to-date figures, the trend is similarly muted, with only seven PlayStation titles managing to sell more than 100,000 physical copies in the U.S. since January 1st. While this data focuses on a single market, the U.S. remains one of the largest and most influential in the global video game industry, making these consumer trends particularly significant.
These statistics emerge amidst ongoing public backlash following Sony's announcement in January to cease physical disc production by 2028. This vocal opposition has extended to social media platforms, affecting even developers working on upcoming physical releases. Despite the outcry, Sony has given no indication of reversing its decision. Industry experts have noted the business logic behind the move, while also acknowledging valid concerns regarding consumer rights and the broader implications for physical media.