Key facts
- 27% of physical game releases tested require additional downloads to fix bugs or access core content.
- For PS5 games, this figure is 34%, and for Xbox Series X games, it is 50%.
- Microsoft is identified as the platform maker most frequently releasing incomplete physical games.
- The trend of requiring downloads for physical games is seen as detrimental to game preservation.
- The eventual shutdown of game servers poses a long-term risk to the playability of physical game discs.
A growing number of physical video game releases are requiring additional downloads to function correctly, according to data compiled by the testing group DoesItPlay. The organization found that 27 percent of all physical game releases they have tested necessitate internet downloads for bug fixes or to access essential game content not present on the disc or cartridge itself.
This trend is particularly concerning for current-generation consoles, with 34 percent of tested PlayStation 5 games and a striking 50 percent of Xbox Series X games requiring such downloads. Clemens Itsel, owner and head admin of DoesItPlay, stated that larger companies increasingly treat physical releases with "ignorance," contributing to a decline in their value and playability.
DoesItPlay, which began as a passion project in 2019, now maintains a searchable database of thousands of tested titles. Their methodology aims to determine how much a game's core experience is impacted by relying solely on physical media. Common issues include incomplete, bug-ridden discs that need patches, or discs that contain only a small portion of the full game, necessitating massive downloads.
Examples cited include the initial console releases of Cyberpunk 2077 and games like Doom: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2, where the physical disc is merely a stub. Furthermore, many games now feature mandatory download prompts that halt progress without an internet connection, a practice Itsel considers "a spit in the face of game preservation."
Microsoft is identified as the most frequent offender, with Xbox games often requiring downloads or mandatory account creation. While Sony's physical releases are generally more playable, a decline in fully functional discs has been observed. Nintendo Switch cartridges tend to fare better, though Game Key Cards, which are essentially download codes, are becoming more prevalent.
Ultimately, the reliance on centralized servers for patches and content raises concerns about the long-term viability of physical games. Itsel noted that even with assurances from companies like Nintendo, server upkeep is subject to financial and licensing decisions, making the eventual shutdown of these servers an inevitability that could render many game discs unplayable.