It seems Walmart is gearing up to ditch physical copies of the Xbox Series X console exclusive game Starfield, starting as early as next week. With the increasing dominance of digital media, sales of physical copies have been steadily declining, prompting major retailers like Best Buy to exit the physical media business altogether.
Rumors had already circulated last year about Walmart discontinuing the sale of physical Xbox games, and recent evidence supports these claims. Memos shared by some Walmart employees on social media reveal plans to dispose of Xbox Series X console exclusive game Starfield. According to the memo, Walmart will drastically mark down physical copies of Starfield from $69.99 to a mere $0.03 starting Monday, January 22. A "point of sale block" is set to go into effect on the same day, preventing customers from making actual purchases of the game. Despite this, there's a slim chance that some might luck out and acquire Starfield for next to nothing, even with the point of sale block. The goal is to collect and dispose of all Starfield copies by Monday, February 5.
While there's a possibility that this memo could be a fake, a reputable insider, Wario64, claims to have seen the same memo from another source. As for Starfield, this move by Walmart doesn't significantly impact the game's future, considering the majority of players opted for digital purchases through platforms like Steam, Xbox, or the Xbox Game Pass subscription. Even with Walmart seemingly phasing out physical copies, Bethesda remains committed to supporting Starfield throughout 2024. The game is currently undergoing beta testing for a substantial new update on PC, with the anticipation of the game's first major DLC.
Details about Starfield's Shattered Space expansion are scarce, but Bethesda is actively working on it. Fans can expect more information in the coming months. Beyond Starfield updates, the future holds the continued decline of physical media, posing challenges for game preservation efforts but reflecting the inevitable shift towards digital dominance. While Starfield marks the beginning, it raises questions about how long it will take for Walmart to entirely cease the sale of physical media in its stores.
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