In recent years we have witnessed the incredibly rapid adoption of digital gaming, with the ratio of physical to digital sales far in favour of the latter. Some publishers have begun to take this opportunity to cut out physical sales entirely – such as with the upcoming ‘Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name’.

Teasing the upcoming Yakuza game with a character poster, RGG Studio (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio), took to Twitter to say “And next up to bat is… Find out in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name available for download Nov 9, 2023.”

With no mention of a physical version and all purchase links directing only to digital stores, it seems as though Like a Dragon Gaiden will not be getting a physical release – at least not in the West.

This does make some degree of sense as both Sony and Microsoft have digital-only console variants – and the distribution of digital games is significantly easier and cheaper than producing physical discs for retail stores.

Even with all the evidence pointing to fewer and fewer people playing games using discs, it is still disheartening to see games opting for the digital-only route. Hopefully this does not end up negatively affecting the game’s sales.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this move? Do you still buy physical games? What digital-only title would you like to see get a physical release? Let us know down below.

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