July 17th 2023.
If you're a fan of physical media, you'd better snap up what you can from your local Tesco before it's gone for good! Tesco, one of the UK's leading retailers, has announced that it will no longer be stocking physical video games in its 2,800 stores.
This news doesn't come as much of a surprise, especially after the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the convenience of digital purchases. Tesco has cited customers' increasing preference for digital entertainment as the reason for the move.
But even though Tesco won't be stocking physical copies of games anymore, customers will still be able to purchase points cards for digital storefronts. It's still possible to get a physical copy from other sources, but it's becoming harder and harder to acquire them.
This news comes after GameStop Ireland announced in March that it would be closing all 35 of its stores. And now, with Tesco also dropping physical games, it's becoming even more difficult to get your hands on physical copies.
What's more, this could have a serious impact on game preservation. A recent study found that 87% of video games released before 2010 are no longer available in the US. Live service games and digital-only titles are even more vulnerable, and could be lost for good if they're ever delisted.
Thankfully, there is still hope. Last month, GAME pledged to be the ‘last man standing selling physical video games.’
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