Capcom Reports 90% Digital Sales, Undeterred by Physical Game Market Shifts

Capcom, the publisher known for the *Resident Evil* franchise, has indicated that approximately 90% of its unit sales are digital. This statistic emerged during a recent investor Q&A session where the company addressed inquiries about potential impacts from the evolving physical game market.

The company stated it does not anticipate significant effects from current industry developments at this time, aligning with its primarily digital sales model. This position contrasts with concerns raised by other entities within the gaming ecosystem regarding the future of physical media.

For instance, Sony's reported plan to cease physical disc production by January 2028 has generated considerable discussion. This decision has drawn criticism from various segments, including the PlayStation fan base and organizations such as the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA).

Kim Bayley, CEO of the ERA, characterized Sony's move as "a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice." Bayley emphasized that while digital distribution has transformed gaming and gained immense popularity, it should complement physical formats rather than replace them. The ERA argues that consumers deserve the freedom to choose how they acquire entertainment, and removing disc options does not represent progress.

Further industry speculation suggests that the PlayStation 6 console could be exclusively digital. Additionally, Xbox is reportedly developing a feature that would allow users to convert their existing physical Xbox game libraries into digital formats. These trends collectively point towards a future where digital distribution is expected to dominate.

Analysts also predict that the $7.2 billion second-hand video game market could face risks as a consequence of these shifts in physical media availability. While some companies actively champion the continuation of physical games, Capcom appears less concerned given its current sales distribution.

In its Q1 financial results, Capcom also reported that *Resident Evil Village* has surpassed eight million units in sales. The publisher noted that the *Resident Evil* series continues to expand its popularity among a broad global audience, with sales of previous titles in the series also showing steady growth, partly attributed to pricing initiatives.

Despite the strong digital sales figures, the exact breakdown between digital and physical sales for individual titles like *Resident Evil Village* was not specified. Meanwhile, Sony is reportedly informing consumers about its decision to discontinue physical disc production, with new labels appearing on PlayStation 5 consoles less than two years before the projected end date.