Black Myth: Wukong became one of the biggest gaming releases of recent years, but new market estimates suggest the vast majority of PlayStation players chose to buy the game digitally rather than on disc.
According to games market intelligence firm Alinea Analytics, only 10.8% of the game’s PlayStation sales were physical, giving it the lowest physical sales share among the major PS5 titles included in the firm’s latest report.
The findings come as Sony continues its transition toward a digital-first future, with the company previously confirming plans to move away from physical media in the coming years.
The report argues that Black Myth: Wukong exemplifies how player preferences are evolving, particularly for titles with strong PC roots and large international audiences.
Black Myth: Wukong reflects the growing dominance of digital game sales
According to Alinea Analytics’ latest estimates, Black Myth: Wukong recorded a 10.8% physical sales share on PlayStation, meaning nearly nine out of every ten copies sold on Sony’s platform were purchased digitally.
The report attributes this trend in part to the game’s origins as a PC-focused release and its massive player base in China, where digital storefronts have long dominated game distribution.
The analysis contrasts Black Myth: Wukong with collector-friendly PlayStation releases. Games such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Astro Bot, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 all achieved significantly higher physical sales shares, with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth leading the group at 48%.
The difference highlights how purchasing habits vary depending on genre, audience, and platform history. Story-driven exclusives often continue to attract collectors looking for boxed editions, while PC-first and live-service titles typically generate much stronger digital sales.
Sony’s digital strategy could benefit from changing consumer habits
The report also explains why digital sales have become increasingly valuable for platform holders. Based on Alinea Analytics’ estimates, Sony earns substantially more revenue from a digital purchase than from a physical copy because digital sales avoid retail and manufacturing costs.
For first-party $70 releases, the report estimates Sony retains nearly the full purchase price from digital sales compared to roughly $45 from a physical copy after retailer and production expenses. Third-party games also provide a notable increase in revenue through digital purchases, helping explain Sony’s continued focus on expanding its digital ecosystem.
While the financial benefits are clear, the report notes that reducing reliance on physical media could make it harder for budget-conscious players to enter the PlayStation ecosystem, especially as hardware and software prices continue to rise. Nevertheless, Black Myth: Wukong’s low physical sales share illustrates how many modern blockbuster games are already being driven primarily by digital purchases.
