It feels weird to talk contraction. We’re programmed to believe the NBA, and sports in general, grow as time passes. They make more money, and expand to new cities. That’s the way it’s always been.

Capcom says in its 2013 annual report that it expects the packaged game business will shrink by a whopping $5.3 billion in 2017. I hope this doesn’t come as too much of a shock to anyone, but the ...