New Hitman Will Be Digital Only at Launch

The latest chapter in the Hitman franchise, which will simply be called Hitman, was revealed earlier this week during E3 2015 and came paired with some interesting information. Square Enix announced that the game will be “leading with a digital release,” available on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, with the latter platform arriving with exclusive content.

[DarkOcelet]

"Once all of the content has been released, Hitman will relaunch on disc in its complete form."

I really hope the 48 hour time contract will be in the disc. But i love how there will be no paid dlc or microtransactions. Thats pretty awesome.

"The studio also promised that there will be no DLC or microtransactions."

Thats how games should be.

[Valenka]

Unfortunately not. If there are any limited-time contracts that are released while Hitman is still only available digitally, once the time is up, that's it. Basically, unless you purchase the digital copy and are able to play while the limited-time contracts come up, you'll miss out and they do not come back around again. I'm sure they'll do numerous limited time contracts, but you will not get a second chance to do any contracts you've already missed.

http://www.gamespot.com/art...

[-Foxtrot]

Digital only....ignore ¬¬

"The studio also promised that there will be no DLC or microtransactions."

Yeah we'll see

[DarkOcelet]

"Once all of the content has been released, Hitman will relaunch on disc in its complete form."

I think you might have missed that part. You can simply wait and buy the physical copy.

[-Foxtrot]

It's like Resident Evil Revelations 2.

Why chop the game up. They already do mobile Hitman games as their little side project why not just give us a full on AAA release like normal. Feels like they are experimenting with new ways to develop games and using Hitman like a guinea pig

[morganfell]

One reason to "chop the game up" as you say, is that they will be working on the title and will release it as maps/assets are completed. This may sound bad but it allows the team and publisher to start seeing a return on their work prior to game completion without using traditional early access methods. Technically instead of a beta you are getting a finished game in sections. I say technically because almost no titles are really finished these days and almost always seem like betas.

However, skepticism aside, releasing these episodically would also allow an attentive team to pivot quickly and make adjustments on material based on early fan response to initially produced items, missions, etc.

[freshslicepizza]

kind of sounds like what nintendo is doing with splatoon as far as adding new content. i think it's a great way to keep gamers involved who are known to beat games and never play them again then trade them in.

we also know digital is becoming more and more popular and lots of people are reluctant to go this route. so they keep saying in forums how not everyone has access but hardly ever talk about their own situation.

it's obvious going digital is the best case scenario for publishers as it gives them way more control. hardware makers are reluctant to go this route because they still rely on retail to sell their hardware so they want to keep this partnership going. trouble is game prices are often held hostage on the digital stores because they don't want to undercut the retailers.

i prefer physical copies myself but know very well digital will one day take over.

[4Sh0w]

Well its been digital only for me since then gen started, very convenient....I dont even know what a Gamestop is anymore, life is good I ain't going back to those round things, forgot what their called.

[deadpoolio316]

I know I've loved digital so far...I only buy games I know I want, and with pre-loading I don't have to go stand around outside a store with a bunch of annoying people...And I dont have to worry about space cause I dont feel the need to horde all my games onto one HDD so I can actually delete things Im not currently playing and re-download it later if the mood strikes me

[paul-p1988]

Same here, the convenience was my main reason in doing it this gen (last gen I was about 80% physical, 20% digital but generally little PSN games). I use remote play quite a lot so it's just impractical to have only physical games when I am trying to play my PS4 from my Vita at work and wanna play different games all the time lol

EDIT: Also, I just wait for the sales on digital games and I very rarely pay more for a digital game than physical, beating that other myth too :)

[MasterD919]

Sounds like they're trying to do something different that may backfire.

[WizzroSupreme]

As long as it doesn't take up more memory, I'm down with that.

[AgentSmithPS4]

I hate digital only but if it's a great game I'll get it eventually.

I wonder what percent of their profits most games lose to used game sales? I'm not trying to start drama I just wonder what way would be most beneficial to gamers and devs.

[That_Guy244]

I honestly could care less as I play 99.9% on pc so digital only doesn't bother me. Only physical releases I buy are collector's edition anymore.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

If they release a statement after launch saying it didn't meet sale expectations, here's your No. 1 reason.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Well that's interesting. Doesn't matter either way. I just need to see more to know it's worth buying.

[slappy508]

I'm quite surprised this game is launching on December already. Will definately buy

[ZaWarudo]

No thanks. I'll wait for physical.

[mrmonk]

Yeah I agree I will just wait for disc don't no why but I'd rather have the physical copy of my games.

[darksky]

you can sell a physical copy after finishing it at least. They are trying to do what MS tried to do at launch with their no used games policy.

[--bienio--]

Steam Day One👌

[ion666]

Lame I'll wait........like forever for disc.

[G1L]

Probably next year for me then. Plenty of games this year so thats 👌. I prefer physical

[theshredded]

Yes free dlc is how it should be!

[ironfist92]

Digital fully fledged release
Added FREE content later on lengthening the game's life
No paid for DLC or Microtransactions
Relaunched for Disc once all content is released later on.

Interesting business model Squix. Perhaps this could be adopted by many publishers later on. I'm usually opposed to digital titles, but if this works especially with free added content, it could be a successful one both to the benefit of Consumers, and Publishers/Developers.

Plus I cant stop watching that awesome E3 trailer

[Relientk77]

Yea then I'm not getting it at launch. If I get it, I'll wait for physical release.