It’s official, Alan Wake 2 will be released on October 17!
No need to make space on your shelf, however, the game will not be available in physical version. Explanations.
Alan Wake 2 available in digital version only… but why?
As part of the recent (and disappointing) PlayStation Showcase, failing to check out a slew of games exclusive to the PS5, gamers were able to get a first look at the highly anticipated Alan Wake 2. The sequel to the game launched in 2010 (on Xbox 360) will be available on October 17, on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series.
Good news, therefore, even if the latter was quickly tainted by significant information: Alan Wake 2 will only be available in digital format, and no physical version (include a game disc) will be available. Ah!
The reasons mentioned by Remedy
On its official website, Remedy quickly made it clear what motivated this decision. Thus, the group first indicates that ” many players now only play in dematerialized version. You can buy a Sony PlayStation 5 without a Blu-ray drive and Microsoft’s Xbox Series S is a 100% digital console. »… and too bad for the others who have chosen to favor a disk drive.
Furthermore, Remedy Entertainment states that ” not releasing a disc keeps the price of the game at $59.99/€59.99 and the PC version at $49.99/€49.99. “Yes, but it also makes it possible to completely exclude the second-hand market, sales and other price reductions, with a high price which will thus be “ maintained for as long as desired.
Finally, the studio indicates that it does not wish ” release a disc-based product that required an additional download, as we felt it would spoil the gaming experience. »
We can see a reference to certain games which, despite a physical format, require downloading a very large amount of data (hello Star Wars: Jedi Survivor) or others who benefit from a very impressive day one patch to download to correct major performance issues (hello again Star Wars: Jedi Survivor). To avoid this, however, a simple solution has always existed: deliver a finished product.
Let us recall in passing that the first Alan Wake had been removed from virtual stores in 2017, due to the expiry of the rights to use music licenses. Ironically, the game was then only available in a physical version.
A problem for players and dealers
For players, the pill is a little hard to swallow, especially for all those who still have a particular attachment to the physical format, and to all its advantages, in addition to the object itself (conservation over time, market for occasion, possibility of lending the game).
Also, it’s hard not to see a financial side to it, with a Alan Wake 2 which will not be able to benefit from any promotion, from any second-hand resale, and which it will therefore imperatively be necessary to buy in digital shops, at full price.
For example, a Zelda: Breath of the Wild, launched in 2017 on Nintendo Switch, is still available for €69.99 on the eShop. same for me FIFA 23 or Call of Duty Black Ops 3still displayed at a (very) high price in the digital version, but can be found at a lower cost in stores.
If Remedy’s decision makes players cringe, it is also the case for resellers.
Indeed, with a Alan Wake 2 available only as a download, it’s a purely single-player (and highly anticipated) AAA that won’t hit the shelves of specialty stores. ” This is extremely disturbing, since it is exactly the kind of game that makes us live, we sellers explains Thomas, manager of the Lyon-based boutique Jeuxvideo.fr.
The latter also points out that solo games are those which generally benefit from the fastest price reductions, and the most likely to pass from hand to hand thanks to the second-hand market (the famous ” turnover “).
To see now if the studio will backtrack in the face of the discontent of the players. Still, if nothing changes by then, with its digital availability next October, Alan Wake 2 can act as a perfect indicator for other market players.
Source : Remedy
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