Sony Selling Collector's Editions Without Discs Is Just Baffling

There's been a recent trend of Collector's Editions launching with just a voucher in the box, and that's a bit silly.

[Neonridr]

my guess is it's to save on manufacturing costs. I believe with Horizon 2, there were no differences between the PS4 and PS5 versions which means they don't have to create separate editions. Just include a digital code for either and away you go.

Personally I think it's ridiculous. At the very least if this is the direction you are going, then get rid of the steelbook and give us something else in its place. It's a slap in the face to give us an empty case to put on our shelves.

[Stanjara]

Manufacturing costs??? Do you know how much merch is in that collector edition?
They don't want to give you digital and physical game in the same box...

I don't understand why.

[Eonjay]

I think I get it but what they are doing is taking the easiest way out. So the issue is that the Collectors Editions are meant to service PS4, PS5 and PS5 digital edition. This way everyone is covered with one SKU.

A better solution would be having a physical collection and a digital collection and hope to God that if someone is buying as a gift that they get the right one. I think they have attempted to idiot proof it and give one digital SKU with PS4 and PS5 codes included.

It's not really that baffling. And it's not related to costs.

[Christopher]

***I don't understand why.***

That's pretty easy to understand why they don't give you both, they don't want to give you two copies of the game. A digital code assigns the copy to your PSN account, the disc doesn't but validates based on the disc being in the drive and can be resold.

[Bobertt]

It's because they want to push people to go digital only. They make more money and you can't share or resell it so they will increase sales even more.

[Neonridr]

I'm saying it just makes it easier for Sony to make X number of collectors editions and not have to worry about breaking them up into PS4 physical, PS4 digital, PS5 physical and PS5 digital. Make one SKU and then be done with it.

[RauLeCreuset]

"It's because they want to push people to go digital only."

I doubt it in this case. They're going to sell out of the collector's edition. There's no need to worry about resales affecting other collector's edition sales. I doubt they're worried about resells affecting regular edition sales. Who gets a collector's edition and only resells the disc?

Neonridr is probably right about them only wanting to make the one SKU. My opinion is they should go physical if they can only do one SKU. It's a physical product. Digital PS5 owners knew or should have known what they were getting into when they saved on the initial purchase price by going digital.

[anubusgold]

Companies have been doing this for the last 10 years i go to the store to buy a hard copy of the game only to find a stupid code in it. Alot of us have bandwith caps or slow speeds and would like to avoid the massive downloads some games take.

[shinoff2183]

Youre pretty spot on

[-Foxtrot]

The issue is it's a collectors edition, the bread and butter of these are things you can collect and it's always a draw for people who purchase physical games

Yeah there's people who are digital who probably are downbeat there's never any collectors editions with digital codes but the thing is it's a minority

How can you include a steelbook then put in a digital code, especially when the first games collectors edition had a similar steelbook and included the game.

It's a horrible practice and it's something that needs to stop

It's easier to sell a game disc at launch, gain that money back and buy a digital copy than the other way around.

[Eonjay]

Um no don't get rid of the steel boxes and it isn't a slap in the face when you are a calm and reasonable person and know what's happening. It's actually easier that choosing to be offended.

[Neonridr]

what's the point of the steelbook though? It's just a fancier case to hold your disc in it. If it's digital then why include it? Put something else in its place.

[Eonjay]

Clearly I am really, really fond of steel boxes lol. It's no joke. I like to display them. It's my thing and I don't want to give it up.

[Neonridr]

@Eonjay - that's fair, I love the look of them too. I just like being able to use what it's intended for too :P

[VenomCarnage89]

I love steelbooks too Eon, but displaying an empty steelbook in my collection would feel retarded

[Lifexline]

Lol it doesn’t matter the reason they should include a disc. Any other company did this and everyone would be so mad but Sony gets a pass on some things for some reason.

[Mobis-New-Nest]

This collectors edition should have come with PlayStation Plus Premium. If I'm just getting digital copy with no physical disc then you have to include it in the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, no questions asked. Sony needs to start catering to my needs or your not in my good books anymore. Fix it now.

[himdeel]

Not baffling. Cost effective.

Because:

Money.
Game doesn’t run from disc because they are just a vehicle for the download or access to a digital key to run the game.
Less cost to not manufacture disc.
They want you to Move to digital.
Money.
Money.

[dumahim]

A blu-ray disc literally costs a dollar to make. A steelbook case, which most people seem to agree, is absolutely stupid without a disc certainly costs more than a dollar to make. If being cost effective was the point, they'd just leave out the steelbook case.

[HyperMoused]

Manufacturing costs.......they are producing a steel book that is useless, you already get the game so would have to buy the game again, (which i would be betting is the plan yeah, the hard core fans will buy it twice)

[badz149]

While people are already talking about the upcoming GoWR CE, I'm here still salty that my Uncharted 4 CE didn't come with the Triple Pack that gives you The Lost Legacy which comes with the Digital Deluxe Edition of the game. what gives??

I also bought the Spidey PS4 Pro and it comes with the DLC for the game which are very nice.

now, call me whatever, but I would love for them to sell the CE without the game at all because I want to buy whatever version of the game but still want to enjoy the CE which are usually very expensive early on and can be found cheaper down the road - win-win for the consumer...I think.

[dumahim]

There's no way it's about costs. A disc is very cheap. Certainly cheaper than making the steelbook case for it. The biggest edition of this is probably going to be like $250. They're not going to sweat over a $1 disc.

[Neonridr]

it's just easier to make all editions the same. Include digital codes for either machine and just make one collectors box. I didn't mean the cost of making a disc, just the logistics of having to make 4 different SKUs vs 1.

[DarXyde]

If they're worried about the cost, charge more.

It makes no sense to have a premium edition of a game without a physical copy. Such a weird way to cut costs.

[TheLigX]

I think they do this so that the digital edition ps5 owners can buy it and actually play the game.

[gangsta_red]

I never understood any collector's edition that sold everything but the actual disc. It just never made sense to spend all that money for physical everything (statues, books, etc) else but the actual game disc all this is based on.

[-Foxtrot]

Rockstar had the right idea with Red Dead Redemption II

You could only get it on their official website

You chose the Collectors Box and you could then bundle it with the special edition which included the Steelbook, this allowed you to choose your version, Xbox, PS or PC. You could even buy the box separate.

Sony are just being lazy, they have official website stores so they could easily do the same thing.

[Christopher]

Mix and match would have been optimal. Or, why not just sell CE elements on the side at release and then sell a steelbook version and non-steelbook version of the game?

[Christopher]

In this case, it's because Sony has an all-digital PS5 version, which means if they put the disc copy in, those owners can't play it. If they put the digital code in, everyone can though some people have to deal with data caps to play it. If they put both in, you're getting two copies of the game, which is a loss of a sale to them.

[Elda]

Sony just needs to make PS4,PS5 & digital only collector editions.The digital-only editions should have something else in place of a steel book. The PS4 & PS5 editions should have the discs & no digital code. It's not at all difficult especially knowing these collector editions are limited.

[gangsta_red]

Okay, that does make sense. But at the same time can't Sony just have a legal type disclaimer for digital PS5 owners that the Collector's Edition has a disc is included? Or even two versions?

Since this is a physical release i would think more people would assume that a Collector's Edition has a disc included.

[Lightning77]

Yep same thing with the Halo Infinite xbox edition. A digital code for that works across all systems. Convenience is key.

[RauLeCreuset]

That's the drawback to going digital. It shouldn't fall on those who paid more for a physical to then receive a lesser physical collector's edition. Digital console owners can buy a digital deluxe edition or whatever special digital edition there is. It won't come with some of the physical perks, but, again, that's the difference between going digital and going physical.

@gangsta_red

"But at the same time can't Sony just have a legal type disclaimer for digital PS5 owners that the Collector's Edition has a disc is included?"

They wouldn't have to do that much. They don't do it for normal physical copies.

[IMissJimRyan]

If those fans are buying, there's no reason for a capitalist company spend more on a product.

[shaenoide]

Sad...but true. Or sad because it's true.

[Eonjay]

I don't think that's the issue. I think the issue is that they are trying to address 3 different systems with one collector's Edition. It wouldn't make sense to put in a code, a PS5 disc and a PS4 disc. And the code needs to be there for PS5 digital edition users.

[dumahim]

Then it'd also make sense to just not even include the steelbook in the first place.

[IMissJimRyan]

Probably.

[CrimsonWing69]

What’s even weirder is they include the steelbook. Like, is this a joke to them?

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

I went all digital for this gen, and I still want the steelbook ONLY for GoW 2. You see, the first game came with a very similar, and equally cool steelbook. So, having both makes them both cooler. Ditto for the map and “carved” figures.

I’ll sell the record and pins.

The box is huge, but no more dumb than my Death Stranding case for my baby lamp… one will be stored on top of the other 🤗

[CrimsonWing69]

Yea I didn’t consider that.

[Christopher]

People complain if there's nothing for them to put on the shelf in regards to the case. So they do it. Now people complain there's no disc inside of it. Pretty normal for gaming enthusiasts. There's always something to complain about.

[CrimsonWing69]

Hold up, man! I feel like for someone who purchases physical media and collector’s editions this is a valid complaint. Jeezus, most Collector Editions come with the disc and steelbook. Ease off on lumping all gamers as complainers.

[Christopher]

****Hold up, man! I feel like for someone who purchases physical media and collector’s editions this is a valid complaint. ***

It's a valid complaint that because others would complain that they didn't include a steelbook case even though it's a digital copy of the game that they did include it but not the actual disc?

You really need to read what I said because, yeah, you're being lumped in there considering if they hadn't included the steelbook at all and kept it all digital, these complaints of a steelbook w/o physical copy wouldn't exist as they do right now.

And, in this day and age, most CE don't come with physical copies actually. Most CE are digital only even.

[autobotdan]

You are complaining about complaining

[Christopher]

I'm explaining complaining. I'm not telling anyone to stop complaining. You are attempting to make my opinion seem less valid than someone else's.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Hey, cut it out.

[RauLeCreuset]

This isn't one of those damned if you do; damned if you don't, lose/lose scenarios. They did it to themselves in both scenarios. Include a disc and a case. Problem solved. That should be the norm. It's a physical product. Cater to the physical audience, or go the extra mile of creating separate versions.

[awiseman]

Is this supposed to be a joke?

[CrimsonWing69]

I also want to point out that Gotham Knights and Callisto Protocol Collector’s Editions come with the physical game. Also, so did Elden Ring as well as most other Collector’s Editions coming out this year.

[Tedakin]

Know why? Because they think huge fans who will buy the expensive edition will also buy a standard edition to get a disc to put into their collector's edition case. They're pulling some BS to get the biggest fans to buy 2 copies. What other explaination makes sense?

[CrimsonWing69]

Lol, I actually honestly though that too.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

I’m okay with this in THIS case, because I want a steelbook to match my steelbook for the first game.

With that said, I’d be surprised if they ship empty steelbooks in the future. Considering how this case matches the one made for the the first game, this feels like something they mulled over heavily. Why else ship an empty case?

[dumahim]

They also did this with Horizon Forbidden West's collector's editions.

[wwinterj]

They ship a empty case because they want you to buy the regular version too. Just add the regular version to the cost of the collectors edition and problem is sold. Although I do agree that everything should be included in one bundle.

[B_Rian89]

Rockstar did the same thing with RDR2. I plan on getting the jotnar or collector's edition and then maybe buy the disc in a couple of years for cheap

[Grievous]

It's because there is a PS5 version that cannot use discs.

[jznrpg]

Yep. I don’t like digital only but the digital only folks (and consoles) affect physical buyers . Just the way it is .

[Eonjay]

Exactly and the only other option would be giving you two copies of the game or selling two different collectors editions which would just confuse the consumer.

[RauLeCreuset]

It would be no more confusing than releasing a physical and digital console.

[CrimsonWing69]

I hear ya, but I’ll raise you this, why don’t they just do this with regular physical copies? Every physical copy of a game comes with a disc, there isn’t just the case. I feel like Collector’s Editions are for people who want the physical copy. I think if they’re going this route instead of making 2 different collector’s editions maybe make 1 with the physical game and 1 with a digital download code.

That only makes more sense to me.

[wwinterj]

The simple solution would be to have a digital and physical version. Most folk who buy the collectors editions don't actually play or even open the edition though.

[shinoff2183]

It is stupid and I hope they change it but they arent the first company to do it. I hope this site has wrote about the other companies also.

[Father__Merrin]

Poor showing imo

During the ps360 era the collectors editions were awesome this slowly frazzled out with ps4x1 era I Remeber buying a beautiful collectors edition of ubisofts child of light ps4 it only had code which is crap

I wouldn't bother with these editions now

[shinoff2183]

Theres still some pretty good ce out there. Alot come from the limited run game sites that sell mostly indies

[Vengeance1138]

How are we only now "outraged" over this? This has been common practice for years now. No CE from any company includes the disk.

[-Foxtrot]

Bullshit

Gotham Knights, The Callisto Protocol, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach, Dying Light 2, Elden Ring, Resident Evil Village, Far Cry 6, Metroid Dread, Oddworld: Soulstorm

Should I go on

[franwex]

I’m actually rather curious to see your collection. Do you have pics of it anywhere?

[akurtz]

TLoU2 had a physical disc in the collectors editions

[-Foxtrot]

@franwex

I don't to be honest, I need to set up an Instagram sometime and take some photos

There's like 134 editions to go through haha

[franwex]

@foxtrot

When you do look me up. Look forward to checking out your setup.

[shinoff2183]

Yea you dont know what your talking about. More ce have the disc then dont. Maybe its just the games your playing.

[GamingSinceForever]

It may seem bizarre to most but I can guarantee it will be sold out.

[moriarty1889]

Yeah that is pretty absurd imo. A collectors edition should at the very least have a physical copy.

[a7madRyan]

The simple answer is this is almost every single player game have bigger number of people finishing than buying, players just finish it then resell it or just give it to there friends and family to refinish it for free without buying the game, i think i saw maybe david jaffe ones said: 1 copy of god of war have 30 accounts that finished it, that means sony lost money from 29 persons

[shinoff2183]

It sucks for the company but if 29 people played it off one disc id bet over half of those werent gonna buy it to play it anyway. I dont see nothing wrong with letting people borrow a game i do it all the time. Ill let borrow and borrow. Its what people do.

[sourOG]

Selling a digital collectors edition is fine. Selling a digital collectors edition with a steelbook case is just weird.

I agree that it should be like dvds. If you are paying premium you should get digital and physical.

[franwex]

If one really wanted to: couldn’t they send the unused code to Sony and get a disc in return?

You’re gonna have to wait a few weeks to play tho.

[Phoenix76]

They should just include the ps4 disc with a free upgrade to ps5 inside the box. Especially if people are willing to pay for a collectors edition

[Eonjay]

I thought of that too but what about digital only PS5s? Thats the issue here.

[Inverno]

Solution would b to not include a digital code, discount the collectors editions so that people then buy a physical version if they really don't want to include a physical disc themselves. I'm not interested in either of these, but when I do want 1 it's a deal breaker. Also region specific collectors editions need to go as well

[isarai]

I agree it's kinda dumb, but this isn't new. This has been common for years, and is likely done for the fact that it's cross gen. Wouldn't be the best business sense to split a niche item into two skus, better to just have a single sku and be indifferent of generation.

[sourOG]

I think it’s people in the business that don’t know shit about games making the decision to include a steelbook because collectors editions without steelbooks sell like shit. In their spread sheet data a steelbook is a must.

People don’t care about the disc but they love their steelbooks says the corporate data guy. And he’s probably correct is the funny part. It doesn’t make it any less goofball as a business decision. That digital copy costs you nothing. Add both and stop being shady.

[matt139]

I wouldn’t be so concerned about no disc being included. Whether we like it or not, games themselves will be digital only and this will be the only way to purchase exclusive editions.

[shinoff2183]

No they wont be. It is a big deal because some of us like to go back and replay our older games. Look at the delistings that have happened marvel ultimate alliance 1 and 2. Whatever ubisoft is doing about shutting down dlc or whatever. All digital is a horrible idea. The only plus it has is people dont gotta get off there butt to switch games. Not a big deal to me. Theres garbage to but theres always gonna be garbage.

[RyanDJ]

Make a Collector's Edition, with the cost of the game baked into the price. Have a recessed hole the size of a game box in the front. Scan for retail sale, ask if want physical or digital. Digital? Print the receipt. Physical? Pop the sealed game into the box hole. Would allow use of the Trinket Box with any platform, cutting down on product shelf space as well.

[Elda]

If Sony isn't putting the game disc in the steel book included in the collectors edition then they need to put something else in place of a steel book knowing there's no disc. If these editions are limited then add a few CE for PS4 & PS5 with the disc in the steel book & the digital-only add something in place of a steel book.

[DVAcme]

You do realize half the PS5 models don't have a disc drive, right?

[Petebloodyonion]

The only goal from Sony is to have ppl buy stuff from the Sony digital store instead of another storefront pure and simple.
There's no other valid option since it would have been so easy to create the collector edition as a goodies box with an outside slot for the game version of your choice (ps5/Ps4 or digital code).

[anast]

Too much for plastic, paper and no disc.

[Orchard]

I never understood the whole 'collector's edition with no game' thing, especially if there's a steelbook. If I'm spending hundreds of dollars on your special edition, I expect a copy of the game to be included.

Just make two versions, digital and physical. Not a hard problem to solve.

[moongrim]

Why not include a few scamFTs for good measure?

[Ryuk_2007]

If Sony sold cars.. your vehicle would come with everything but the steering wheel.

[Mr_cheese]

Perhaps the best solution would be to offer a disk with a digital code and have it so that if you use the disk, you have to link the code to it therefore nulling the idea of giving you two copies.

For me, the disk is a really important part

[dogmanx23]

It's stupid because they include a steelbook for a game with no disc. If you aren't including a disc, remove the steelbook and include something else.

[akurtz]

To be honest, people who bought the digital edition were wanting to be free of physical media and such. Thats the part you sacrifice for convenience. Cant have your cake and eat it too. Put a disc in the darn collectors edition.

[zachyBROosevelt]

I don’t mind. I have all digital ps5 so honestly pretty cool for that crowd if you want collectors items still

[mastershredder]

Lol how it is baffling? Clearly it's to lock the game to the individual. Do you really need a disc version of the game that won't run unless it has proper updates anyway? The only people that care about this are the ones trying to turn these for a profit, or think that their game collection and figurines are going to be worth millions some day. Sure it may suck for those that want to lend the game to their friend, but that's part of what they are going at. They wanna profit on that experience too.

On the up-side your game is locked to your collection. Yayz!

[brewin]

You clearly don't get it. The disc will still play without any updates. The company can very easily cancel your account and remove your digital licenses to any purchased games at their will. Read the terms. If my account gets banned for some reason but I own the disc, there's nothing they can do. I can create a new account, etc. There's no workaround like that for a digital game.

It's about ownership. If you don't have the disc, you don't truly own a copy of it. You only own a license that can be revoked at any time for virtually any reason! Sony was supposed to be the ones on the side of the consumers in this, but alas they have now turned into the very thing they mocked to get to where they are.

[Petebloodyonion]

Or perhaps it's because I don't trust Sony with letting me play my digital game in the future since they have no problem with revoking access to movies bought on PS store.
What to say they won't do the same for games in the future?
https://variety.com/2022/di...

[brewin]

No disc no buy. It's not a true collectors edition without the game disc, plain and simple. Any excuse is a cop out.

[MADGameR]

This is to force physical game lovers to double dip and buy it twice. Very smart and slimey move by SONY. I don't like it one bit. Had to buy 2 versions of Horizon Forbidden West, the Regalia Edition and the physical disc game.

[jznrpg]

It’s not to force anything imo . it’s so they can make one version and not a physical and digital version and not confuse people . They have a digital only console they have to cater to . I’m not saying it’s good but I don’t think it’s a nefarious reason .

[Crows90]

So...like with MTX. If you didn't complain when other companies started doing this you can't be complaining now. Lack of pushback for this insanity is what allows insanity to continue

[toyzombie]

For the true collectors

[jznrpg]

I don’t open my Collectors Editions and buy a second copy of a disc version , either regular copy or deluxe if they offer it , so I will just keep my open disc with the unopened collectors edition .

[Bronbron92]

A bit confused lol is the extra stuff not what the people really want

[jznrpg]

I don’t like it . I’m a physical guy but for me it doesn’t matter . I don’t open my collectors editions and buy a second disc anyways so it works out . But I don’t like it one bit.

I see the reasoning because of Digital only consoles and they just have one version of Collectors Edition but they should offer a physical and digital edition imo .

The problem is it’s confusing for the easily confused (which is more people than you may think , many people think SpiderMan or God of War is on Xbox for example) and they don’t want issues with returns and people crying on the internet so they go with the easiest solution. But it causes anger for some of us physical buyers .
I’m not upset but I don’t like the idea you don’t get a disc but like I said it doesn’t affect me as I buy the collectors and regular or deluxe copy along with it anyway.

[Limitedtimestruggle]

Typical bullshit box with a load of overpriced stuff. What a joke.

[repsahj]

If sony decided to include the disc instead of digital code, I'm sure the same thing will happen. They should make a separate version of disc and a version with digital codes.

[Tedakin]

It's mostly weird because they include a case but no disc. My theory is they know anyone who will pay a ton for a Collector's Edition will also pay more to buy a standard edition as well to get a disc and complete their set, allowing more copies to be sold :)

[Solitariussaint]

Not good. I'll buy the disk version by itself and maybe the steelbook by itself if I find it cheap enough.

[JL2930]

You can sell idiots anything. Why would they put a disc in when they can maximize profits?

[ALMGNOON]

100% but why don't we see this when other companies do this ? This has been happening for years and become the new norm for Collectors Edition but no one was talking about it...

[lellkay]

It's not bafling, it's clearly obvious why they do it. It's so that they can do one SKU, which blanket covers PS4,PS4 Pro, PS5 Digital and PS5 Physical, but its a big shame for .. you know... actual collectors.

[rippermcrip]

I'm never been one for collectors editions, but I don't get why they wouldn't just offer both options.

[Snakeeater25]

Just don’t buy this crap, buy they basic game edition

[NotanotherReboot]

this is why physical game suck in 2022

[Solitariussaint]

That doesn't make any sense since this collector's edition comes with a digital code not the disk. I think you mean that this is why CE's suck in 2022.

I'll be getting the regular physical disk version just fine.

[Aussiesummer]

I do hope there is an uproar about this crap.

[S2Killinit]

YEESSS lets allll moan together lol

[Vithar]

LOL so weird having a steelcase and nothing in it, they want you to buy a physical copy on top of that?

[Ethereal]

Agreed. I thought at least we'd see this generation through with discs being a prevalent thing. Personally, it makes these editions far less attractive as I've been a lifelong collector.

[ocelot07]

Personally I think they should just start doing these collectors editions without the game. So the ones who want it on disk can buy the collectors edition and disk. Same goes for those who want digital.

However, If I still collected these collectors editions I would be happy getting the digital code rather than disk. As both disk owners and digital owners of ps5 can buy it. Then in a few years just buy the disk for pennies if I really wanted the disk.

[Yourmommasaid]

It's for Collectors people, which is why it's called "Collector's Edition"! You know, those who have disposable income and have no problem to buy the game seperately. Quit complaining!

[spoonard]

It's about as baffling as people forgetting that the industry is constantly nudging everything to pure digital. This is one such nudge.

[evil6eric99]

At least put a soundtrack CD in the steelbook, maybe a decorative art disc that can not be used in either system, or a documentary "behind the scenes of..." Blu-ray, something tangible if they are so worried of people sharing a game.