Digital Purchases Hit 85% on PS5 and PS4 Last Quarter

An astonishing 85% of PS5 and PS4 games were purchased digitally in Sony’s most recent financial quarter, which covered the three month period ending 31st March.

That means the average for the financial year as a whole tallied 78%, an increase of 2% year-over-year and a record high for the brand. Digital sales represented just 19% a decade ago and got their biggest bump during 2020, when the pandemic helped push them up to 65%. They’ve been steadily rising ever since.

These statistics come against the backdrop of a recent DRM scare involving the PS Store, which prompted fears about digital game ownership. Sony implemented a new check-in feature designed to deter players from taking advantage of a refund scam. The company stated that nothing has materially changed to the experience, users can play their purchased games as usual, and digital games can still be played offline. A one-time online check is required to confirm the game's license.

While physical games “only” represented 20% of PS5 and PS4’s software sales in the previous financial year, this still works out to around 70 million boxed games, which is not an insignificant sum by any stretch.

Considering the sheer size of this addressable market, and the fact PlayStation still commands a global audience where some customers may not have access to high-speed Internet, it means the PS6 will likely still offer physical media. However, at this point we wouldn’t expect a disc drive to be included as standard – especially as the rising cost of RAM and other components mean it’ll probably be looking to save money where possible.

Physical gaming is not going away. It is reckoned to become more and more prestigious, a bit like vinyl. Publishers could turn back time and start enhancing their physical editions with art books and other paraphernalia, giving customers who want to pay extra the option of a true, high quality boxed experience.