Disc demand dwindles, duplicators dying out

Manufacturers predict a steady decline in the use of game discs as digital gains a tighter grip on the market.

The firms responsible for duplicating physical games report that a number of their competitors are on the verge of going out of business.

We believe the European market for replication will shrink by about 10 to 15 per cent per year as more and more games, audiobooks, DVD and so on are being distributed digitally rather than physically,” said Doron Garfunkel, UK commercial director at OK Media.

More pressing plants will get into financial difficulty and will have to close.”

The firms that hope to survive are seeking new sources of revenue, such as music and film distribution.

While they say there will always be a need for physical product, many argue that the disc’s role will change.

CD Writer’s Nic Ranshaw said: Manufacturing will become increasingly specialised and niche, with physical product being used to build brand awareness and generate a buzz on the streets with the publication of limited collector’s editions that sell for premium.”