BT Games will be forced to adapt in order to survive the end of physical game discs

[Luis]

End of an era for iconic South African gaming retailer

The impending end of video game discs will mark the end of an era for South Africa’s last brick-and-mortar physical gaming retailer, BT Games, unless it can transition to a digital-only model.

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced this month that it would end physical disc production for new PlayStation console releases from January 2028, and others in the industry seem poised to follow suit.

 

[Werner1975]

Sad but it's a sign of the times unfortunately.

 

[kwaggawerner]

Sony can get f*cked! I only do physical.

 

[NR7]

They have 4 stores left. Might as well close up shop already.

 

[shaggy_beef_on_a_tricycle]

What is the point of "physical" if you still need to download additional data and updates anyways. Miss the good days when games could fit on a disc and didn't require an internet connection to run.

 

[shaggy_beef_on_a_tricycle]

They have 4 stores left. Might as well close up shop already.

Why not allow people to have the freedom to choose? That is still 4 families , if not more, without an income.

 

[FiestaST]

I'm "lowkey" surprised the Kanala store is still holding on. Rent is not cheap there.

 

[Flanders]

I didn't know BT Games was still a thing. Thought they'd gone the way of the Blockbuster. Damn, good luck to 'em.

 

[Neptuner]

This is really sad they closed one in our mall when they "downsized". Something special about killing time at the mall searching for a game at BT Games. Reminds me of those VHS and DVD Mr Video days.

 

[mr_norris]

I bought my PS4 Pro from BT Games, Also bought God of War 2018 from them. Good times. But that's the sum of my experience with them.

All the branches around here closed down yonks ago.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

They should start doing retro refurbs.

There is going to be a larger market for more affordable gaming hardware on recent older gen consoles as prices of current gen goes through the roof and next gen will be downright unattainable for most people.

Then there is also the enthusiast/collector they could target with older more vintage gear.

 

[purrr]

What is the point of "physical" if you still need to download additional data and updates anyways. Miss the good days when games could fit on a disc and didn't require an internet connection to run.

You can sell it.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Miss the good days when games could fit on a disc and didn't require an internet connection to run.

Hate to break it to you, but that's still today.

My copy of 007 First Light plays perfectly fine straight from the disc with no internet required to play the main campaign.

 

[My_King]

Jip exactly what I said. Seems the future is full of job losses everywhere.

 

[ISP cash cow]

They should start doing retro refurbs.

There is going to be a larger market for more affordable gaming hardware on recent older gen consoles as prices of current gen goes through the roof and next gen will be downright unattainable for most people.

Then there is also the enthusiast/collector they could target with older more vintage gear.

Yeah they could also slightly change what they sell, like have gamer gear in specialised shirts, mouse pads and equipment. The one in Clearwater mall is very quiet whenever I walk past it.

 

[Lupus]

They've barely sold games for the last 5 years, mostly accessories and merch

 

[The Gilded]

I was done with BT Games when they stopped offering pre played. I still miss the 360 days when gaming peaked and the Boksburg mega store as it was like being part of a whole subculture. Now it's just a little hole in the wall and the subculture is long gone as almost everyone only buys online. The Internet ruined everything.

 

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Jip exactly what I said. Seems the future is full of job losses everywhere.

Just the way the likes of Musk, Bezos and others want it to be.

 

[prod]

They have 4 stores left. Might as well close up shop already.

Jeez wtf, when did that happen?

 

[Herr_Koos]

Physical vs digital media is not really the problem here. Steam was basically the end of physical disks for the PC. I haven't bought a game on disc in over 20 years. My PC doesn't even have a DVD drive anymore. Heck, I've even re-bought games I already have on disk just because a Steam copy is more convenient.
The real issue is ownership. It's just wrong that a company that can simply revoke access to something you paid for whenever they feel like it. That kind of behaviour is what we as customers should be resisting.