Summary
The choice between physical vs. digital games is an ongoing debate among gamers, each with advantages and disadvantages. In today’s digital age, it’s understandable that many players might lean towards digital versions, with reports in recent years indicating adecline in physical game sales. While still supporting digital games,Super Rare Gamesis an indie game publisher that is especially passionate about preserving physical copies of great games. For example, Super Rare Games recently announced three games coming to PS5 physically this month, includingOTXO,GrimeDefinitive Edition, andSable.
In an interview with Game Rant,Super Rare Games' CEO George Perkins spoke more about why it is important to the company to preserve physical copies of video games. Perkins also discussed what it’s like working in a digital-dominated space and the advantages of physical games.
Super Rare Games On Working In A Digital-Dominated Industry
Speaking about working in a digital-dominated space, Perkins described it as “interesting” and talked about how declining markets often provide “more opportunities to be different and unique.” In addition, Perkins said that Super Rare Games hasn’t seen a decline in its work since the company began. Perkins also explained thatphysical copies of gameslean into “fan service”, which they said “isn’t going away” with attachment to games often being about physical media. As Perkins said:
And I think whilst we are becoming an ever-digital space, that almost works in tandem with what we’re doing, because it means that there’s more reliance on people to have physical media for people that are really passionate. People who are really passionate about physical versions.
That said, Perkins also pointed out that the big question is whether consoles continue to provide physical editions of games. If they do not, Perkins said the company’s position could maybe pivot to other physical spaces outside games. Of course, it will be interesting to see what happens to digital and physical games with theupcomingNintendo Switch 2 releaseand beyond.
Reasons To Preserve Physical Copies Of Video Games
When asked why it is important for Super Rare Gamesto preserve physical copies of games, Perkins said there are a handful of reasons. Firstly, Perkins spoke about personally being a “big collector of things” and how he likes to own media he is passionate about, a passion that no doubt many gamers share. Secondly, Perkins said to support the preservation of games, giving the example of digital storefronts going down “years after being in the limelight” to possible factors such as licensing issues. Perkins also thinksNintendo Switch’s Librarycould potentially follow suit. Of course, this is where physical copies of games can step in to immortalize beloved titles for players. As Perkins explained:
So, having a physical copy means that the game is immortalized. And at any point, you can just grab it and put it in your Switch. I find myself going back to older generations of consoles all the time. It’s definitely a thing that will happen with the Switch, I think. If you’ve got a library of your favorite games or games you’re interested in, then I think there’s a real benefit to that. Even from a logistical kind of angle.
Thirdly, Perkins added that many developers simply love to see physical editions of their games. Indeed, sometimes originallydigital-only gameslater obtain physical copies for one reason or another. As a “company built-on fan service” it’s also another way that Super Rare Games can support developers to provide fans with games that focus on things they are passionate about. Super Rare Games is a company that prides itself on supporting indie game developers to make and continue making video games, and its focus on physical content is just one avenue in which it does so.
Of course, time will tell what happens to physical and digital copies of Nintendo Switch games when the Nintendo Switch 2 eventually launches. In a world where advances in technology are constantly changing things, the preservation of physical games could well be worth looking into.
