Is it true that FIFA is going to stop selling in physical format?
Some Electronic Arts games such as FIFA, Battlefield and other franchises from this studio could begin to be distributed only in digital format in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries. This is how it was published IGN during the last few hours. However, a more recent publication invites us to think that they are only rumors, and that it would simply be a interpretation of EA sales data.
Andy Robinson
@AndyPlaytonic
Re: reports doing the rounds that EA is planning to stop selling physical games in Germany, a spokesperson tells me this is not true.
«We have not stopped physical distribution of our games in Germany, Austria or Switzerland» (1/2)
October 27, 2022 • 16:08
The news comes as part of a restructuring of EA in Europe. The American firm has analyzed the change in market trend. Making calculations, the company believes that continuing to release titles in physical format can negatively damage the profit and loss account.
According to the latest annual report from EA Germany, the change in trend is having a negative impact on sales. That is why the German subsidiary of Electronic Arts would have considered the possibility of terminating your agreements with your distribution network in these European countries. However, these titles will continue to be marketed in physical format until otherwise stated.
How successful is the digital format?
The purchase of video games in digital format has had a upward trend in recent years. However, the pandemic has accelerated the process. Home confinement made digital distribution experience its best moment.
In fact, this is why there was all the fuss last year with GameStop. Stock market analysts determined that this company was going to have one of the worst years in its history, because they had not adapted to the new normal.
A digital format that is still very green
The digital format is far from perfect. For video game companies, this distribution method is much more interesting, since a good amount of money is saved in costs (discs, covers, distribution, commissions from intermediaries…). However, there are not a few releases that are made digitally at full price.
And that is where the debate lies. When we buy a video game in physical format, that title belongs to us. The same does not happen with the digital format. In this case, we depend on the server availability. If the manufacturer in question withdraws the service, we will not be able to claim our download anymore.
On platforms like Steam or Epic Games, players have never had any problems in this regard. However, when we talk about consoles, the picture is different. Nintendo and Sony have announced digital store closures of some of their systems. This is the case of Nintendo 3DS, Wii U and PlayStation Vita. Once those stores close, it will be impossible to claim digital purchases. To a certain extent, the manufacturers themselves are inviting users to resort to piracy.
The dilemma is served. Would you buy only digital games even knowing that you could lose access to all of them in a matter of 10 years? Or is it better to take advantage of the physical format until the end of his days? Time and laws still have a lot to talk about.
