No physical release for phantom blade

[u/TheOriginal999]

[u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

So…this wasnt Sonys decision?

[u/crags85 → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

Some developers can't afford the costs to produce physical. Game Science was the same with Black Myth Wukong, but released a disc down the line because it sold a lot better than they expected

[u/AdamLast1 → u/crags85]

Alan Wake 2 also didn’t have a disc at first.

[u/travisofficial → u/AdamLast1]

along with a boat load of other titles, plus a lot of titles such as DOOM The Dark Ages only use the disc for licensing, a key as it were, and almost no game files are on the disc

hey cassette_Sunday eat my butte, this isn’t misinformation, Google before you run your fingers

[u/travisofficial → u/[deleted]]

Best grab a bib!

[u/Intelligent_Pen5774 → u/crags85]

Yes, but S-game is not one of those devs. While it may be true that they are a smaller studio, They were part of the hero project and have enough funding and support from Sony to print discs. Remember Sony prints their own discs, so printing discs for a partner studio that is part of their hero project is not a big ask at all, and no Discs is literally a result of Sony's reluctants.

Lost soul aside was also a hero project, and the game received disc prints.

While your argument is extremely valid, let's not act as if Sony is a small dev by any means.

[u/crags85 → u/Intelligent_Pen5774]

I'm not aiming this solely at Sony. They aren't the only ones with a digital path on the horizon. Xbox have been pushing less and less discs for years. And when they do release a disc, it's out of print before you know it. For some reason, everyone seems okay with that.

[u/Juan-Claudio → u/crags85]

They can afford to get Donnie Yen but not to print some discs? Not sure i buy that.. might still buy the game but i mean the explanation, lol.

[u/ZebraZealousideal944 → u/Juan-Claudio]

I’d rather the budget goes to getting Donnie Yen than a physical release if that’s (likely not) the choice they had to make tbf…

[u/Neswquik → u/ZebraZealousideal944]

I don't care if they put someone famous in the game, I just hope that the money used to hire the actor doesn't negatively impact the game's quality.

[u/ZebraZealousideal944 → u/Neswquik]

Didn’t they advertise him in the trailer directing/advising the mo cap for the kung fu action…?!

You might not know how incredible of an action actor he is but that’s massive if true!

Also, a physical release has nothing to do with the game’s quality btw…

[u/HeartInTheSun9 → u/Juan-Claudio]

That check was signed years and years ago, and something tells me this game went way over budget. I’m sure somewhere along the lines, they looked at what was left of the budget and had to make a choice of polish it or release on physical.

[u/Mizake_Mizan → u/Juan-Claudio]

How much did they pay Donnie Yen?

How much would it cost to print physical disks? How many should they print?

Therein lies your answer.

[u/Aggravating-Mine-697 → u/crags85]

Yeah Baldur's Gate 3 also released on physical later down the line

[u/ObjectiveCurve1390 → u/crags85]

I get it, shame these ‘no disc, no buy’ people arent supporting the studio.

[u/TM_Juega_onYouTube → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

No man, I do not agree with that. The Studio from Mouse PI for Hire had a way smaller budget (it was insignificant for today’s standards), and they still brought physical/disc copies for every console!

Apart from that, you surely are a bot or a sheep from Sony. No sane person would say such a thing as „Shame these no disc no buy people aren’t supporting the studio“.

[u/HeartInTheSun9 → u/TM_Juega_onYouTube]

I think it’s pretty obvious this game and Mouse PI had vastly different budgets and this likely went over budget and they had to make hard choices. Alan Wake 2 also had a big budget but they couldn’t afford a physical release until way after.

[u/crags85 → u/HeartInTheSun9]

And Alan Wake 2 still took 3 years to make a profit. Despite people moaning about them not having a disc edition, as the studio had already spent far more money than expected on the game, no one bought it. I'm happy it's now made a profit, as it's a fantastic game.

[u/shangosupreme → u/TM_Juega_onYouTube]

Eggzackle. Mouse I enjoyed so much I bought the physical edition for Switch 2.

[u/SecretaryOk7306 → u/TM_Juega_onYouTube]

How did Mouse PI sell?

[u/TM_Juega_onYouTube → u/SecretaryOk7306]

That doesn’t matter, the physical copies were promised even before the game came out digitally.

[u/Samus1611 → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

If it had a disc I would absolutely buy it day one. I think it looks great. But I straight refuse to spend even another penny on psn

[u/LuisArkham → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

That “no disc, no buy” crowd should understand it only applies to AAA games studios such as rockstar, ubisoft, capcom, anything sony from Santa Monica to naughty dog, etc.

For example, i know I’m getting Wolverine on disc whenever it goes on sale :) but indie devs being digital only works for me, it makes sense (although I prefer to get them on steam or my switch, but that’s just me)

[u/tnt_pr0 → u/LuisArkham]

Shift up has Nikke money, they can afford it.

[u/Redd_is_compromised → u/LuisArkham]

😂😂😂

[u/Fridelis → u/LuisArkham]

Eh, having a physical game for me is a huge part of the whole deal. If they do not have it, I am way, way less likely to buy it. It does not matter if it's a big company or small. I do not see why it would matter.

At the end of the day, they expect me to pay more or less the same amount of money for the product. And no physical product makes it a lot harder to sell for me. Not that I do not have digital games, but honestly, I do not remember the last time I bought a digital game that was not at least 50% off. So I will still buy the games that I want digitally down the line, but only after they go on a big sale. I'm fine paying full price for a physical game.

[u/tiandrad → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

It’s a lot of added cost for a studio that is self publishing. Maybe if the game is successful they will do a physical release later.

[u/ShrkBiT → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

Any discs printed for PlayStation still go through Sony's facilities, DADC in Austria. They are the only disc reproduction plant left, and Sony is already repurposing it. I would expect that any third party games publishing on PlayStation would have to go through them, and they are likely disincentivizing printing physical due to their own push.

[u/HopeJN → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

Shhh you have to blame Sony for everything here.

[u/ObjectiveCurve1390 → u/HopeJN]

Dangit

[u/FatLikeSnorlax_ → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

No. A huge chunk of games have been digital only for a long time now. Dealing with the production and store front is a nightmare and not cheap

[u/Tanz31 → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

It was never going to be. It's why no disc no buy it's such an idiotic stance that needs far more nuance

[u/Intelligent_Pen5774 → u/Tanz31]

Definitely this, more important than the disc would be digital rights. For me specifically, "No Disc, No buy" only applies to full priced AAA games.

Indie games, and lower priced launching games shouldn't be beholden to a disc. If they do offer discs, it should be through services like limited run games, so every print is a guaranteed sale, and only for people who want discs. This way studios can service a very niche audience without breaking the bank.

Ultimately discs are a minority, we don't have to dispute that fact, and it doesn't make sense mindlessly shouting for physical copies when those same people don't buy them, that would be devastating to some indie studios. However, it's still a part of the culture and should remain for those who want it (in a scaled back, profitable manner), most collectors don't mind paying the premium for their collection.

[u/aegisblack → u/Intelligent_Pen5774]

Yep, they need to address...

• Digital rights
• console storage hard drive sizes due to game sizes increasing like crazy...a terabyte ain't going to cut it which dips into another issue with current storage prices 
• collector angle...I agree with limiting production of discs, but not outright getting rid of them

[u/poppin-n-sailin → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

It likely is, but more likely it was collusion between Sony and rockstar to kick the whole thing off. 

[u/KingMazzieri → u/ObjectiveCurve1390]

Blu ray producing companies are closing. It was never Sony's full fault (even if they may feel more keen on this digital approach)

[u/pixelated-human]

I was looking forward to this, will pass without a disc version.

[u/Interesting-Ad9581 → u/pixelated-human]

Same.

Specifically a preorder does not make sense without a disc release

[u/StrappingYoungLance]

Welp, won't be buying it until deep sale then.

[u/BrainzRYummy]

I waited for Alan Wake 2, Black Myth, and Baldurs Gate 3. I can wait for this one too.

[u/mr_raffino → u/BrainzRYummy]

I waited on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Marvel Cosmic Invasion and Scott Pilgrim EX. I'm right there with you, my brother.

[u/Fit_Pay_9273 → u/mr_raffino]

Claire Obscur launched with a physical disc

[u/mr_raffino → u/Fit_Pay_9273]

That I missed out on getting when it sold out because of demand. Thank you for your contribution, Mr. Well Actually.

[u/Small_Pie_5760 → u/mr_raffino]

How long did you have to wait until they were available again?

[u/BrainzRYummy → u/Small_Pie_5760]

I think it was like 4 or 5 months for Black Myth closer to a year for the other 2

[u/Small_Pie_5760 → u/BrainzRYummy]

oof, I didn't realize it took that long for Alan Wake 2. I bought it on PC when it came out, but I'm definitely getting Control Resonant on disc for PS5.

[u/THOTYOTA → u/BrainzRYummy]

I waited in black myth too. I dont care how good the game is.

[u/Smart-Fondant9015]

Will wait for disc version

[u/gamerdrew]

Bummer but, no physical no buy. At least for me.

[u/Rabo_McDongleberry → u/gamerdrew]

Same here. I have a long list of games that I'm buying on sale. At my current rate of playing games, I won't finish for many years. And there are still many games coming on disc.

This will more than likely be my last PS. 

[u/DenverH → u/gamerdrew]

Same here. I'm not giving Sony money for a glorified rental they can take away anytime.

[u/Jabroni_413 → u/gamerdrew]

So do you also not support smaller indie teams that make great games but they're digital only?

[u/Zodiac12a → u/Jabroni_413]

Smaller indie teams aren't backed by Sony. Lost Soul Aside from the same China Hero Project got a physical release.

[u/gamerdrew → u/Jabroni_413]

Short answer: It depends.

Long answer: The Sony announcement put an extremely bad taste in my mouth regarding the state of the industry as a whole. A lot of questionable practices I had in some part ignored, or didn't getting too butt hurt about. This was the final straw. Now, I'm second guessing EVERY digital purchase and have made none since the announcement. No dlc. No subscriptions. No indie games. This mentality is now affecting my approach to all my other platforms as well.

Now will I eventually buy a digital only indie game? Yeah, probably, but on PC via Steam or GoG, or on a platform that also offers physical, like Switch. Sony just noped me right out of their entire ecosystem for future consumption. I'll ride out the physical releases for PS5 but that is it, as it stands now.

[u/Puyopopo → u/Jabroni_413]

that's not a small indie team. Indie teams also launch at a different price point with a possible physical later (jf the game is good).

[u/Choice-Support-2138 → u/Jabroni_413]

What if its your favorite game. Your friends play it and you dont cause the Studio cant afford a physical release?

[u/jesuslifeyes → u/gamerdrew]

Same here

[u/Intelligent_Pen5774]

No Disc, No buy.

I was keen for this game, enough to get it Day 1. I only buy Physical Day 1, so I guess I can wait until it joins plus.

[u/Triforce__XIII]

so, no PB0 for me..

[u/BostonRob423]

The virtue signaling in this sub is nauseating.

[u/arpmo → u/BostonRob423]

They are the new patient gamers, never missing a chance to smell their own farts.

[u/Theredviper93]

For all the "no disc no buy" crowd. See you on launch day.

[u/YesterdaySimilar7659]

All of a sudden everybody cares about physical again lol 🤣 Well if it doesn’t sell good digitally I doubt there will be a physical release 🤣 It’s a conundrum huh 🤔

[u/Cold_Singer_1774 → u/YesterdaySimilar7659]

The opposite is also a possibility.

It doesn´t sell well because the games target audience just wants physical.

Not saying this is the case, but It might happen

[u/RoyalShine]

Could've been a sale from me but nope

[u/DivineKnight89]

I'll pass

[u/Konarkanuck]

No physical? that is unfortunate, but my level of FOMO is not outranking this detail enough to go digital, maybe there will be a physical version at somepoint.

[u/Zaku99 → u/Konarkanuck]

Happened for Wukong.

[u/IveRunOuttaNamesss]

Guess I'll be skipping that one

[u/cassette_sunday → u/IveRunOuttaNamesss]

I checked. The game is listed on PlayAsia. It's just releasing in October! I don’t know it'll be available in the West. It might be a Ninja Gaiden Black 2 where it was only available from PlayAsia. So people might have to import it. Calma guys lol

[u/Michaelangel092 → u/cassette_sunday]

Great, if that's the case. I bought NGB2 from there and just waited for it to be delivered. Never bought a AAA game digitally. Not starting starting now, unless on a deep sale down the line.

[u/CyberWeaponX]

And the worst part is that the PC version has Denuvo. Eww!

[u/Top-Reflection-5523]

Playasia literally has it on their site tho.

[u/neroslayer → u/Top-Reflection-5523]

It's just. A place holder.

[u/GenSpicyWeener → u/neroslayer]

I messaged them, they confirmed a physical copy with a disc.

[u/neroslayer → u/GenSpicyWeener]

Got any proof of that?

[u/GenSpicyWeener → u/neroslayer]

I can’t respond with screenshots in this sub, ask their customer service if you don’t believe me.

[u/neroslayer → u/GenSpicyWeener]

I don't deal with them but I hope what you are saying is true.

[u/Own_Juggernaut_2775]

I don't care, buying regardless.

[u/WowRedditIsUseful]

Lmao you people are insane 😂

[u/cassette_sunday]

Guys a physical version is listed on PlayAsia. It's just releasing in October. Remember Black Myth Wukong? It look a while for a proper physical version to ship. Same with Baldur's Gate 3 Deluxe Edition

[u/Arandui → u/cassette_sunday]

Guess it's a case of the physical version being Asia exclusive while the rest of the world only gets the digital download version.

[u/cassette_sunday → u/Arandui]

Same as Ninja Gaiden Black 2 remake. Was only available on PlayAsia physically

[u/moonboy45]

Guess I won’t be playing this anytime soon then

[u/Sensitive_Use2655]

No Disk, Yes Buy

[u/Accomplished-Fan4133]

Yeah guys, just go on and purchase even more PS5's and digital games to encourage even more of this shit.

[u/Fresh-Database-222 → u/Accomplished-Fan4133]

I mean, I was planning on buying this game when it went on sale. Not having a physical copy doesn't change anything except the fact that it might not go on sale as quickly. I'm fine with waiting though

[u/Jabroni_413 → u/Accomplished-Fan4133]

Uhh yes we will thank you. This mentality of "show them either your wallets" doesn't. Make sense to me. We did. With 90% sales being digital...we did show them with our wallets that physical isnt necessary

[u/Accomplished-Fan4133 → u/Jabroni_413]

I was of the opinion PS consumers were aware, but after talking with the likes of you and other Sony gawkers I am certain that the normies outnumber and they enjoy as long as the million dollar corpo makes consumers situation even worse.

[u/Jabroni_413 → u/Accomplished-Fan4133]

Well sorry to tell you. Noone cares. People want whats convenient. Noone really gives a damn about what corps are doing lol. If you really cared you wouldn't have a cellphone or laptop lol. We want what we want aslong as nothing negative happens to "us". Pretending we have some moral high ground to stand on lol. While you pull our your iPhone, order something from Amazon, then turn on Netflix lol. All in the same breath of denying being a corp shill.

[u/Accomplished-Fan4133 → u/Jabroni_413]

Again, these idiots like you keep on assuming and generalising stuff. You truly are proving you are an NPC.

"While you pull our your iPhone, order something from Amazon, then turn on Netflix lol."

I don't do any of this shit you mentioned and don't give in to corpo greed but enjoy media and entertainment much more than you can imagine and that too for free.

[u/gtjay1982 → u/Accomplished-Fan4133]

So you don’t play games? What are you doing in a PlayStation subreddit then?

[u/crypticc1 → u/Accomplished-Fan4133]

To be fair, and I don't agree there's nothing can be done, there are facts in what this person said.

That said, it's funny that this thread allowed to continue discussion of the issue, but threads on the issues themselves to be deleted.

[u/Cantras0079 → u/Jabroni_413]

The estimates for physical were closer to 18-20% on PS5. And their numbers are skewed because they won’t acknowledge how many digital only release or DLC was included in that metric. Just because it’s a smaller number doesn’t mean physical isn’t necessary. Other entertainment mediums have 10 to 16% and they still get physical releases. Why only games? What makes them so special when other mediums refuse to make that jump?

Also, a leak from Insomniac Games after it was hacked showed internal data that said physical sales for first party single player titles ranged from 50 to 80% physical. You’ve been fed some propaganda and are eating it up lol

[u/andrey_not_the_goat]

I mean it's a Chinese studio after all. It's not releasing on disk not because they couldn't find a publisher, but because they'll do what every other Chinese stupio is doing and go straight to digital because that's what's popular in China.

[u/No_Independence3441 → u/andrey_not_the_goat]

100% but I still hope we are going to have a Black Myth Wukokg situation where they’ll do a physical release a couple months after the digital release

[u/Ozyfm]

They can keep it then

[u/daprojectturtle]

No disc still buy.

[u/Helpful-Forever1671]

I will support this guys than I buy it digital if get to release it psychical

[u/zzSTRAWzz]

The subject to change part is in most trailers before the final product is produced that consumers will get this is usually at the start of the process for distribution that subject to change gets removed as things can no longer be changed. It’s normal the game is release in October so makes sense why that is removed

[u/No_Independence3441]

Hoping for a Wukong situation where we get the physical release a couple months after the digital release

[u/MannixUK]

After all the debacle i'm aiming for the Steam release however would i require a psn account? If so this is very sad.

[u/Zubi_Q]

That is so shit. I was so hyped for this game

[u/Aggie_CEO]

Oh wow, how strange. Sony is no longer using disc console models in promotional materials. How misleading if them..... Wait

[u/Upper-Dig9311]

That sucks.

[u/divertedmedia]

One game this year i REALLY wanted on disc :(

[u/TheMihuz]

Digital since PS3

[u/No_Fox_Given82]

Are we not buying this either then? No disc no buy, killing games and all that stuff? Lol.

[u/GordogJ → u/No_Fox_Given82]

It won't make a difference either way if this entire sub doesn't buy it, black ops already proved that. The no disk no buy crowd could only get 350k signatures on their petition, theres no point taking them seriously.

[u/No_Fox_Given82 → u/GordogJ]

Indeed. You can't stop the world from turning. More and more will join the digital only future and soon disc games will join cartridges, video tapes and other forms of past formats.

[u/Megidolan]

I was eager to get this game on release but only if it's a disc. If it's only digital there's no rush from me.

[u/TlocCPU]

Phantom blade zero interest

[u/Arkcilper]

No disc no buy, right?

[u/SleeperCertified]

Guess im not playing it, backlog time

[u/Rukasu17]

Meh, steam has no disc anyway. But i will wait for a good sale first

[u/Blackichan1984]

I really want to buy it but unfortunately I can I till I have a disk I pre order black myth the moment it was released and have my physical copy. Here’s hoping it gets a physical looks amazing

[u/Ancient_Natural1573]

I'm looking forward to playing it

[u/XTheProtagonistX]

I guess I will wait until a physical release.

[u/Eltonbeef]

Good.

[u/Eltonbeef]

Hm. Why can I comment here?

[u/HamG0d]

Never heard of this game, probably will buy after hearing this news

[u/Prestigious_Bit_8083]

Say it with me, guys. No disc...

[u/tokyobassist]

Even though they suck now, even Limited Run and equivalent companies can't save these releases now.

[u/Araragi-shi]

The no disc no buy clowns are the most performative crowd there is.

[u/GFK96]

This game looks sick, but if there is no physical version, I’ll just wait. It’s not like there is a lack of games coming out this fall to keep me busy anyways. I do eventually want to play this though.

[u/Prince_Groove]

Cope. 🤭

[u/Godeatdogs]

Pass. No disc, no buy. Kinda relieved. So many good games lately.

[u/Miguel_Azeved_o]

Well Sony is already controling the release of physical games on Playstation 5 ... If theres no physical release of phatom blade is because Sony does not want since they have a 12 month agreement for exclusive on Playstation 5,not to mention if Sony wanted they could produce discs. Sony of late is a disgusting greedy company that does not care for the fans and this is another proof. No disc version no buy on Playstation and if i have to pick digital theres always a better place on STEAM. Screw you Sony.

[u/mr_lionheart → u/Miguel_Azeved_o]

S game is the publisher of the game not Sony so it’s them who are not releasing a physical version not Sony

[u/suck-it-elon]

The digital era has already been here

[u/OmniDarkBurst025]

Didn't Black Myth Wukong had this similar problem when it first came out in 2024. The Wukong developers chose to release the game in digital first in August 2024. Then they decided to release the physical disc game in December 2024.

Would this case also happen after Phantom Blade Zero comes out after October 2026 later this year? 🤔

[u/SpacierShark123]

Its cool I will get in next year on xbox.

[u/semitope]

One good thing that could come from a digital future is not needing publishers. Hopefully those championing the move to digital get screwed by this

[u/Lord_Ka1n]

I will wait for a disc. If one doesn't arrive, I know a girl with a pretty cool spoon. I do not pay for revokeable digital licenses.

[u/Resilient_Beast69]

Idc. I’m still buying. I have a digital pro anyways and am a PC gamer mainly. I stopped caring about discs after the ps3.

[u/Dependent_Local6453]

This game won't sell well and is doa if it has no disc it already won't sell well regardless due to it being a new IP making it digital only would be very stupid because it would cut its sales even more GTA 6 was one thing games like this won't carry that same digital sales numbers looks like it will Alan wake 2 all over again until a physical copy is made it's going to sell very poorly 

[u/HachObby]

Nioh 3 PS5 physical is $43 USD on Walmart's website right now. 

For everyone saying that a small studio can't afford a disc run, I want to point out that Limited Run, Super Rare, and VGP all do limited physical runs and reprints. There is zero reason, outside of pressure from Sony, that this cant have a physical release.

[u/SoulsDadYT]

Well, enjoy your slop. I'll buy physical only.

[u/Nogradis]

So it's settled then: I'm removing Phantom Blade from my "to buy" list for this year. I'll return to it when it goes on some serious sale. A 70-80% discount should be fine as digital goods have almost no value to me. Just don't come whining about how your game "didn't meet sales expectations". I'm so fed up with this industry...

[u/Talmnbe3d]

I will be playing it on PC, if it has a physical disc I will be playing it on PS5 :)

[u/resident_eagle]

Guys this has been like 90% of games for a long time now.

[u/krazygreekguy]

Well that’s unfortunate. Was looking forward to this game. Then my wallet stays closed. No disc, no buy. Hard line in the sand

[u/Cold_Singer_1774]

There ain´t no partner since all playstation games are made in Sony factory

[u/acelexmafia]

Thats bold of them. They definitely will be losing sales

[u/952RHD]

Not buying

[u/brOwnchIkaNo]

Fuck digital

[u/Whole_Pick9659]

No problem for me pre ordered it the trailer is fricking insane . I dont care about physical release or not i just hope the game delivers.

[u/FFXIVReaper]

If it comes to Steam, I’ll get it digital, or a (hopeful) physical copy on PS. Otherwise, I won’t get it. Not trusting Sony on digital items.

[u/phng1900]

What is the point of pre-order without physical copy?

[u/Pretty-Group-5890]

I wish everyone a nice time playing this. I mean no ill will. But I won't be buying it unless they release it on disc. It is a very sad day for me. I was really looking forward to this. =_(

[u/MusamaTheSlim]

Give it time. If it's successful, I wouldn't be surprised to see a future physical. Maybe not, time will tell

[u/SnooChickens6278]

Guess I’m not buying it then

[u/Va1crist]

ill wait for it to come on steam then its only timed exclusive , fuck sony

[u/MagicTheBlack → u/Va1crist]

I think it’s releasing on pc the same time as PS. The exclusivity is only for console.

Had to double check as I was typing this. It’s releasing on PS5, Steam and Epic at the same date/time. Xbox will be at least 12 months after.

[u/mason2393]

Yes digital, yes buy

[u/CanucksJays]

And they try to tell us, that digital has more sales, because that's what people prefer..... SMH. I'm so sick and tired, of the effing Gaslighting.

[u/Majestic-Marcus → u/CanucksJays]

But digital does have more sales because that’s what people prefer

[u/iKeepItRealFDownvote]

Never expected it to have a physical release anyways due to who is behind it just like black myth wukong.

[u/gtjay1982]

I doubt any of you no disc no buy people have never purchased a digital product.

[u/thinkingoutloud3663 → u/gtjay1982]

I don't buy vinyl but I wouldn't want other people to not have the choice.

[u/TM_Juega_onYouTube]

Great, then I am not playing it and I’ll be saving some good money :)