The controversy surrounding the end of physical video game formats continues to generate headlines. Sony has already announced that it will stop manufacturing discs for its consoles starting in 2028, and several publishers have supported this position, arguing that digital dominates the market. However, sales figures for one of the year's biggest releases, Resident Evil Requiem , paint a very different picture than the one defended by the major companies.
According to data compiled by analyst Christopher Dring and Ampere Analysis, player behavior varies considerably by region. While discs appear to be declining in the United States, physical copies remain the preferred option for a significant portion of users in several European and Asian countries. These figures have reignited the debate about whether the disappearance of the physical format is truly a demand-driven decision or rather an industry imposition.
Physical and digital sales: a contrast that invites reflection
The data for Resident Evil Requiem is revealing. In the United States, only 22% of copies sold were physical , a percentage that seems to support those who claim that digital is now king. But if we look across the Atlantic, the story changes completely. In France, 55% of players opted for the disc, and in Japan the figure reaches 51%. Australia and the United Kingdom also show a notable presence of the physical format, with 43% and 40% respectively.
These percentages are not isolated anecdotes. Resident Evil Requiem has sold over 8 million units worldwide, and if we apply those proportions, we're talking about nearly 3 million physical copies distributed . A figure that demonstrates that the disc market is far from dead, at least in certain parts of the world.
The disparity between markets is so great that it's difficult to maintain the single narrative that "physical formats no longer interest anyone." In countries like France or Japan, the tradition of collecting games remains deeply ingrained, and consumers value being able to have the product on their shelf, resell it, or lend it out without depending on servers or online accounts.
The debate about the end of CDs: a commercial decision or an imposition?
PlayStation's decision to eliminate physical media starting in 2028 has generated strong opposition among fans. Many believe it's a measure that limits freedom of choice and only benefits large corporations, which have better control over digital distribution and avoid the secondhand market. However, data from Resident Evil Requiem shows that demand for discs remains very high in numerous territories , contradicting the official narrative.
Capcom, for its part, has stated that 90% of its sales are digital, an argument they use to justify that the end of physical media won't affect them. But Christopher Dring has pointed out that the remaining 10% of the physical business still represents billions of dollars. That's not an insignificant amount, especially for an industry that seeks to maximize profits at all costs.
Furthermore, Resident Evil Requiem's ​​success is not unique. In the UK's weekly sales chart, Capcom's game has climbed to the top spot, surpassing titles like Splatoon Raiders and Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced. This commercial success, both physically and digitally, demonstrates that the franchise continues to have enormous appeal among players of all ages.
Capcom and the domino effect of Requiem
The success of Resident Evil Requiem isn't limited to its own sales. The Japanese company has confirmed that the release has boosted sales of previous installments such as Resident Evil 2 Remake, Resident Evil 3 Remake, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil 7, and Resident Evil Village. This phenomenon, which Capcom calls a "virtuous circle," occurs when new players drawn in by the latest installment decide to explore the rest of the saga.
Another relevant piece of data from Capcom's financial report is that approximately half of Resident Evil Requiem players are between 20 and 29 years old. This breaks the stereotype that young people are only interested in free-to-play multiplayer games or as-a-service experiences. The survival horror franchise continues to attract new generations, guaranteeing its long-term relevance.
With these numbers in mind, the question is unavoidable: does it make sense for Sony to eliminate physical media when in markets like France and Japan, more than half of gamers still buy discs? The answer seems clear to many, but the industry seems determined to ignore the evidence. Meanwhile, fans will continue buying their favorite games in their preferred format, and Resident Evil Requiem has become the perfect example that physical media hasn't had its final say.
In short, Resident Evil Requiem's ​​sales figures demonstrate that the demise of physical media is neither a uniform nor inevitable process. The differences between regions are enormous, and Sony's decision to abandon discs in 2028 seems more like a marketing strategy than a response to actual demand. While Capcom celebrates the success of its latest installment and prepares for the release of Resident Evil Veronica , the debate about the future of physical games will remain very much alive in the community. What is clear is that, at least for now, millions of gamers in Europe and Asia still prefer to have their copy on the shelf.
