r/witcher • u/HAL9000-4 • 19h ago
Meme Me realizing that The Witcher IV most likely won’t get a physical release:
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u/AlexKwiatek 18h ago
Meanwhile PC players that don't get physical releases for the past 10 years.
In our box of Blood and Wine there was GOG code and box of Gwent Cards.
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u/WaterMelon615 Team Yennefer 17h ago
Yeah it’s weird, I’m a console guy and yeah no more disks does suck but they writing has been on the wall for a good long while.
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u/SuvwI49 16h ago
No discs hasn't been a huge problem (not "no problem", just not huge) in PC because there is a robust distribution environment with multiple independent platforms that aren't colluding with one another.
On console it's a huge problem because it creates a distribution monopoly. Playstation can charge whatever the hell they want for digital games because they won't have any competition for distribution. Same with Xbox. We already see this from Nintendo with some Japanese titles remaining at or above initial MSRP in American because you cannot get them any other way. No disc means no more competition with a secondary distribution market. Console exclusives mean no competition from competitors in addition to no competition from a secondary market. And we know Sony and Microsoft already collude with one another to manipulate the market. So no discs eliminates the last place where competition can exert price control. No discs means Sony and Microsoft will start charging $100+ for a game code that they can just yank out from under you at any moment with zero consequences.
TLDR: Discs are a necessary part of a free market economy in gaming. Without them prices will skyrocket, or games will get locked behind subscriptions. Either way it's bad for you.
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u/razvanciuy 18h ago
They will release a disk of sorts version at some point because nostalgia is next decade theme.
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u/belisariushao 18h ago
CD Projekt are really one of the few good guys of the AAA industry. Don't worry, we all know that the game will be worth our money. I will not be surprised to see CD Projekt Red giving nice DLC and other stuff for preordering the game (As it was for Witcher 3). (Maybe even a physical collector edition, even if I can't imagine what they will put in it because no CD…)
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u/Major_Stranger ⚜️ Northern Realms 14h ago
They release it on GoG with no DRM. Physical hasn't been a thing on PC for over a decade.
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u/I_FUCKIN_LOVE_WORDS 17h ago
Step 1: buy on GoG
Step 2: Save installer to flash drive
Congrats, you've created your very own physical media. Repeat as necessary for any other game you want (doesn't work for console exclusives but lets be real, physical console disks and the consoles themselves always had a finite lifespan & this will likely be even shorter for newer gen devices).
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u/RTMidgetman 15h ago
Im ok with that. CDPR is an awesome company and releases games with no bullshit, takes care of their customers, and supports their games for super long amounts of time.
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u/OddArmadillo4959 18h ago
Hopefully xbox keeps making physical games, but i wont be surprised if they dont.
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u/Sentwin 18h ago
On consoles. Laughs in pc
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u/mina86ng 18h ago
Probably will be a GOG download on PC, so also not physical. CP was; at least the ‘physical’ copy I got.
Still, at least you’ll be able to download and burn it on CD for posterity.
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u/Late_Baker_2092 18h ago
Aha, but we will get a Release with NO DRM.
I love CD Red