European Retailers Cut Back on Xbox Game Disc Purchases Amid Falling Demand

Major European retailers have decided to reduce their orders for physical Xbox game discs, citing a decline in demand among consumers. According to GamesIndustry.biz, this move is attributed to a significant portion of the Xbox Series X|S audience shifting towards digital game versions and engaging extensively with content through the Xbox Game Pass service.

The information about stopping the purchase of Xbox discs came from a representative of a major publishing house, who pointed out a trend among European retailers to move away from physical copies in favor of digital distribution. "Physical copy sales have significantly dropped, as most gamers prefer digital versions of games, making the sale of discs unprofitable," the source mentioned to the publication.

This decision by retailers responds to changes in consumer preferences and the widespread adoption of the disc-less console version. According to GamesIndustry.biz, some retailers have already completely removed Xbox game discs from their inventory.

The news of the cutback on disc purchases follows reports that Microsoft has restructured the division responsible for releasing physical copies of games for Xbox Series X|S. Moreover, the company is reportedly developing a new version of the Xbox Series X console, which will completely lack a disc drive.

These shifts reflect the gaming industry's broader move towards digital content distribution, highlighting the increasing trend of moving away from physical media in favor of the convenience and accessibility of digital versions.