Update (03/04/2023) – PF
After rumors circulated regarding the interruption of the manufacture of physical media for Xbox games, the Brazilian division of Microsoft’s games sector remained on the fence in a note sent to Voxel. But the story also has another side.
“At Xbox, we are always looking for different ways to continue to bring fans the best content to play on the device they want. The community can now enjoy our games through digital codes or on their first day through Game Pass. We are looking forward to the incredible 12 months ahead of us”, said the company in a note sent to Voxel.
While the note only covers the continuity of the sale of digital games through Game Pass and digital codes, the company said it will not take a position on the interruption of the manufacture of physical media. So there is still no official position on what the rumors are circulating.
In addition, another point on which the company is silent is regarding the possibility of stopping localizing and dubbing games in PT-BR. So this is yet another rumor that remains in the air.
Shopkeepers
Despite the truckload of uncertainties on the part of the Microsoft division, the story has another side. As confirmed by shopkeepers, Xbox must – in fact – end the manufacture and distribution of games on physical media here in Brazil.
With the exception of games that have already been pressed and those that are already on sale in stores, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S players should only have access to games digitally. The sale of consoles, on the other hand, continues unchanged.
Original text: 02/03/2023
Xbox: Microsoft may end manufacturing games on physical media in Brazil
Xbox may be going through a very delicate moment in commercial terms. While Game Pass has revolutionized the video game industry and helped the Redmond giant leverage its market position, the first side effects of this service may have started to show.
According to rumors, Microsoft is interrupting the manufacture of physical media games in Brazil and the reason is low sales.
On Instagram, the @loja_animejogos profile revealed that, according to some distributors, the main Xbox games will no longer be manufactured and distributed in Brazil.
Future releases like Hogwarts Legacy and the remake of Resident Evil 4 will be the first not to appear on discs in the Brazilian market.
The company Rimo was responsible for manufacturing the physical media for the Xbox, but ended its activities this year.