Death Stranding 2 forecasted to sell 1.4 million copies by end of June, as new PS5 games depend on the PS Store

Some gamers expressed concern after the initial Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sales numbers emerged. In the UK, the Hideo Kojima project topped the charts, but launch sales dropped by 66% compared to its predecessor. However, the data only included purchases of physical discs. Ampere now estimates that Death Stranding 2 will have sold 1.4 million copies worldwide by the end of June. The figures suggest a successful debut, but also show how many new PS5 games depend on digital sales.

When UK data on Death Stranding 2 emerged, Christopher Dring of The Game Business urged caution. The popularity of digital gaming has surged since the arrival of Death Stranding in 2019. Sure enough, North American gamers just learned that the sequel was the top seller for June in the PS Store. Despite the standard edition releasing on June 26th, it's also in fourth place on Sony's UK rankings.

Unfortunately, Sony doesn't reveal specific sales numbers for PS5 games on its storefront. That forces firms like Ampere to use various other metrics for their projections. The original Death Stranding sold 5 million copies by July 2021, but that was after the PC version arrived. Barring a sudden flat line, the latest post-apocalyptic action adventure title is on a promising trajectory.

Even with physical standard and collector's editions available, the convenience of the PS Store is tempting. Still, the success of the digital marketplace hasn't come without controversy. A Dutch consumer protection agency recently filed a lawsuit against Sony, alleging monopolistic practices. The group wants Sony to allow other retailers to sell digital PS5 games on the console. Meanwhile, game collectors note how it's easier to find deep discounts on disc versions in stores.