Mr Khan said:
You overestimate the amount of fucks U.S. broadband companies will give. Digital-only would crush a sizable part of the U.S. market, as well as do bad damage in emerging markets. |
Over 99% of the US population has access to broadband.(http://www.broadbandmap.gov/blog/)
Of course, that number is much smaller outside the US. But, when you look at who is buying the consoles, 90% of them are being sold into countries that have high % of broadband availability. Most games are now designed to have internet functions(DLC/multiplayer/leaderboards). Most digital versions are allowing early downloads prior to release.
Thus, the form of delivery is moot. The need for retail is only getting smaller. 10 years ago, most stores had large sections of music CDs. TOday, you will be lucky to find much in the store at all. Just think if the music would have enhanced capabilities if it was hooked to the internet? THere wouldn't be any music in stores.
Emerging markets are mostly PS3/360 markets(mostly). The cost of shipping/packaging and giving up a shar of the margins to retail is reason enough to pass on the merging markets if needed. Or, they could simply release physical copies in those markets only.
It is near the end of the end....
