- cross-posted to:
- gaming@lemmy.ml
No matter where you look in Media, digital copies have outpaced physical. And it´s not even close! So the step is not really a surprise. Also, some games are already essentially a digital copy, even if “some” game files get delivered on a disc. But the lack of a physical medium is not what sucks about this. It´s the fact that you link the purchase to your own account of whatever store it´s in and that´s it. No lending, selling or gifting once you activated the code. I actually prefer to buy cartridges for the switch because of that very reason.
But with digital downloads being so much more convenient and instantly available, I don´t see how any market forces would ever change this. Also, people pre order digital copies as if they worry the store wouldn´t have enough copies on launch day, which is also quite telling.
I mean, who would expect Starfield to fit on a disk?
It actually does. Blurays go up to 128GB and the game needs 125GB.
I think that out spec current xbox consoles? cause I remember reading series x only supports up to the dual layer 66gb ones.
They most definitely can read triple layer discs as they are commonly used for 4K Blu-rays. And when a drive can read TL-Blurays it most likely also can read QL-Blu-rays just fine. However, those are rare so I would suspect a 2x TL release.
then put in X Disks.
we did that with (floppy) disks forever, and CDs too.
I don’t remember any DVDs using that, but they surely existed
A single Quad layer Bluray could fit the entire game, but not a ton of PC users have an optical drive, much less a Bluray capable one. A microSD card or USB drive might be more viable these days. A 128GB costs less than $10. When you want to stick to DVDs you would need either 27 (DVD-5), 15 (DVD-9) or 8 (DVD-18). Multi-DVD releases are definitely a thing. Star Wars Battlefront comes on 4 discs. I suspect they would opt for a DVD-9 release as this allows you to print artwork on one of the sites and you likely need a few extra discs as you cannot use all of the storage for data. So we talk about a 16-18 disc release. ~22mm (7/8 inch) of DVD goodness.
“physical” release my ass.
Release your ass, buddy.
I’m not your buddy, pal.
Im not you pal, friend.
Are the three days already over?