# consumer access

Players are prioritizing access, fairness, and long-term game feel over marketing spectacle as publishers test digital-only storefronts and tightly timed network windows. The backlash over a potential PS6 digital storefront that could exclude 62% of countries, alongside engagement around discovery threads and design critiques, signals a shift toward player-led curation and trust-based leadership. This dynamic is shaping rollout strategies, content reveals, and the metrics that matter for 2026.

From hard puzzle design and a mod-friendly Early Access launch for Slay the Spire 2 to Microsoft's PC-like console strategy, players are coalescing around depth and openness. Nostalgia-driven engagement and civic access through libraries highlight durable demand and broader entry points that can expand the market.