Alan Wake 2 Causes Outrage With Digital-Only Release

Alan Wake 2 is fast approaching, now with a firm release date (October 17th) and an impressive new trailer at the latest PlayStation Showcase. However, as fans read the fine print in the game's FAQ section, which spells out its 'digital-only' release, it becomes clear that the lack of a physical edition is really getting under their skin

[Magog]

"outrage" lol. Most games are only available digitally. PSN is full of digital only games. There's no sense in fighting the future.

[giovonni]

Right, it’s really not that serious.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

I'm one of them, this is complete bullshit... I take pride in my physical game collection, I need to have all original box arts and anything that comes inside them. This just makes me think Allen Wake 2 is opting itself out of being a true AAA title.

[Neonridr]

@Lightning - whether a game comes in a box or not doesn't make it a AAA title.

[Guitardr85]

@Lighning Mr. Bubbles

I know what you mean, I think the point Magog was making is that it's really not something that should incite people to the point of "outrage". Disappointed or even upset...sure. But outrage is a bit of an excessive word choice for this.

[Rocketisleague]

Taking pride in a games collection

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

To you it isn't. To people like myself who still value physical cupped this is a big deal. Speak for yourself.

[Flakegriffin]

There’s also no sense in not providing options for games that don’t need to be digital only.

If it’s an online only title/live service then sure but single player only? Why force people to buy digital instead of giving options? That’s why there IS backlash. Even if you digital gamers think otherwise. Digital is the future, sadly, but forcing people to go digital is not de wey. If that’s the case then every other digital only console/system would’ve done amazing by now.

[Magog]

PC is the biggest platform there is and it is essentially digital only. People who buy and then resell games are the ones who are upset. For those of us who don't we are essentially subsidizing their gaming habits. I am not against being able to resell games but ESPECIALLY single player one and done games lose a lot of revenue to resellers so I can see why they made the decision they did.

[Flakegriffin]

@Magog

It doesn’t matter if PC platform is massive. If that’s the outlook then why hasn’t digital only consoles spike in sales? Just because YOU don’t mind doesn’t mean everyone has to cater to that option. Again, why is it so hard to give options including when it’s a single player only game? That’s why THQ Nordic is trying to assist with this because there is backlash regardless if you don’t see it personally. If it’s also physical then how would that prevent you from still buying it digital? If it doesn’t then why doesn’t matter that others want it physical? All I’m saying is to go digital only for a single player game will come with backlash even if you think people need to bow down and accept what’s coming.

[Christopher]

A lot of countries with expensive Internet costs disagree with this. The future can come when everyone has equal access to the Internet, IMHO. Until then, I do hope major games do their best to provide non-digital means for SP games at the least.

I do agree that "outrage" is hyperbolic in this case. Most people complaining aren't in the regions I'm talking about above, they just like to complain and likely get most of their games digital as is.

[giovonni]

That’s not how that works. Just because a certain country or class can’t “afford it” doesn’t stop the future from coming. I mean it sounds noble and all. But, those who have the means to get this game will get it. Those who don’t have bigger things to worry about. Honestly, do you think someone with expensive internet cost are worried about not playing this game?

[Christopher]

***That’s not how that works. Just because a certain country or class can’t “afford it” doesn’t stop the future from coming. I mean it sounds noble and all. But, those who have the means to get this game will get it.***

I'm on the side that tries harder, not gives up.

***Honestly, do you think someone with expensive internet cost are worried about not playing this game?***

Yeah. I do. I know those people. They're not poor. They just live in countries where they can afford the Internet, but it costs a ton, has data caps, and they'd rather not have to pay for downloading more games.

[CrimsonWing69]

How do they play MMOs then? Aren’t those kind of huge in third world countries?

I look it up and I see PC gaming and Internet cafes being hugely popular in third world countries… um, now I’m no rocket scientist here, but don’t you need “decent internet” to play those? 🤷‍♂️

Like how long are we going to use the excuse that third world countries don’t have great internet so therefore digital downloads aren’t fair? What’s the minimum bandwidth you need in order to download a game? Aren’t there pre-load options so if they’re on a 56k modem they’ll have it downloaded by launch?

[Christopher]

***How do they play MMOs then? Aren’t those kind of huge in third world countries?***

They don't and they aren't. If most play those type of games, it's from shops that they pay for the hour, but, not, MMOs are not huge in 3rd-world countries. MMOs thrive in 1st-world nations.

***PC gaming and Internet cafes being hugely popular in third world countries… um, now I’m no rocket scientist here, but don’t you need “decent internet” to play those?***

Internet cafes are popular in first-world countries in Asia. Not in third-world ones. I'm in a third-world country right now, and the two cafes in the most populated city are empty. Why? It's expensive and you don't own games.

I'm not sure where you get your info from, but since the expansion of smartphones, cafes in third-world countries shrunk immensely as people moved to playing mobile games because it was way more affordable. Cafes are expensive and very centralized in those countries.

[shinoff2183]

I've got a bunch of ps3 ps4 and a handful of ps5 games that didn't release in the u.s physically so I bought them from over seas.i just got gamedec in from the uk. They work the same on my ps5 ps4 and ps3.

Like was asked why do you guys even care there are some of us that want physical it's not a one or the other there's room for both. You don't have a horse in the race

[MADGameR]

You will own nothing, and you will be happy

[Magog]

You own the game just as much digitally as physically. Even more so in that it can't be stolen, lost, broken, scratched or otherwise destroyed. It's also dumb to call out this one game when there are thousands already only available digitally.

[Charlieboy333]

@Magog so if Valve goes out of business tomorrow and Steam closes down. Say your hard drive crashes.....you can still get/play all your games? Not likely I know, but it's not as bulletproof as you think.

[Kornholic]

Digital only is anti-consumer. If you are not outraged by this development, you are sleeping.

[CrimsonWing69]

I guess PC users are really tired then.

[Kornholic]

So by your logic since PC gamers are okay with it, it magically isn't anti-consumer?

[Magog]

They did the math and they lose more by having to cut in retailers and in lost sales to the used market. Games don't get sequels, developers don't stay in business unless they make money. As a consumer if you want high quality content you should understand the realities of the marketplace. If you want single player big budget games to exist then support them otherwise get used to playing 100 different versions of Fortnite and Genshin Impact.

[Solitariussaint]

That's simply not true, and I and plenty of other console players are willing to pay for physical games to be around on consoles for as long as consoles exist.

[shinoff2183]

They lose out. I pay the same amount for physical as you do for digital. One of us is being ripped off. I'll give you a hint. It isn't me.

[tay8701]

Lol I'm trying to remember the last time i bough a physical game. All of my games are digital. It's just more convenient and I dont have to worry about the kids ruining the discs. Plus I can share the digital games.

[shinoff2183]

Well that's gretlat it's convenient for you. Not for me though. Again they both can and should co exist. Having physical media available for those that want it does nothing to the digital buyer

[poppatron]

I read the headline and clicked just go to the comment section and mock the use of “outrage” ridiculous and hilarious.

You beat me bro 🙏🏽😂

[shinoff2183]

Magog

Your actually quite wrong.

There's a sh ton of games getting physical releases these day in fact probably more then with ps3 360 Gen. Look it up. You have all kinds of indie publishers, games coming from parts of the world they usually never really did getting physical releases, etc. It might not be in Walmart and target like they used to but physical games are pretty abundant. Also id like to add most of the digital vs physical charts also include mobile and that flat out misleading. I'm not saying digital sells less then physical but it's alot closer then people give it credit for.

Congrats to pc being mostly digital also. I'm a console gamer though so idc about pc

[neutralgamer1992]

Mag

What most games? You are talking about indie and smaller titles because most AAAA GAMES still have physical release and physical still make up for about 30% of the sales

Stop downplaying something just because it doesn’t affect you

Also most vast majority of consoles aren’t digital versions that in itself shows you and others there is demand. I buy a lot of digital games but than I also buy many of them physical

On to the topic itself

We already have embraced group-THQ offering to publish the game. It will more than likely receive physical versions later with all the dlc

[Nitrowolf2]

Physical sales are still going strong. Jedi accounted for roughly a little under 50% of sales on physical in the UK, so

[Elda]

Most AAA games have physical copies.

[Magog]

Not for long. Obviously I was referring to all games not just AAA games whatever that even means anymore.

[Elda]

Most AAA games will continue to have physical copies knowing video game consumers are collectors & publishers don't want to miss out on sales. If AW2 doesn't do great sales due to being digital only trust Remedy will be putting out physical copies.

[andy85]

No sense in fighting the future? Well if people just stand there and take it sure...if no one was against digital it would already be here. Why would you want to pay far more for gaming (it's cost me 4-5 times as much to play), account gets banned for a dumb reason which happens - every one of your games gone forever. Game gets taken off the store? Whatcha gonna do. I have my physical game here to play

[SixFrvgz]

Yep. No sense in fighting digital. Why should people fight owning a digital license to access the game, as opposed to having a physical version which they would own forever?

That's sarcasm, since I know you're slow enough to not know it was.

You, and everyone that agrees with you, are lunatics. Fanatics. You idiots are to blame for the constant shit that the gaming industry keeps finding to force on gamers.

[CrimsonWing69]

Doesn’t bother me one bit. I pre-ordered it immediately and can’t wait. People need to quit whining about the most petty sh*t. Oh noooo, whaaaaahhh I can’t get it physical so I hate the game, whaaaahhh. Get over it.

How did PC people evolve to where they’re at? That needs to happen for console consumers.

[giovonni]

Exactly, the only saying is you, either evolve, or you die. Simple as that

[CrimsonWing69]

I just don’t understand the mentality. Like I talked with a friend who said he won’t buy a game at all because it’s digital only. I’m trying to understand and he has f*cking gigabit Ethernet and I’m like, “you’re going to miss out on a game simply because it’s digital!?”

Like it’s literally spoiled children at this point. Were PC gamers like this when they transitioned to digital only? it’s 20 f*cking 23, digital games are a thing and people mostly buy digital so yea, make your peace with it and get over it.

It’s almost like a mental disorder like a compulsive disorder. Can’t have physical therefore I will boycott the game and throw a hissy fit… like seriously?

[senorfartcushion]

People literally evolve TO die. It’s part of why we are on this planet.

Sometimes evolving can be bad., but that doesn’t even apply here.

Having a digital-only game is a regression, not an evolution. Games used to only have one way of being distributed. They then had three with PC codes physical and digital, then four with streaming.

Now we are on the way from having three to just two. After that, we will be stuck at one: streaming only - where we pay to RENT games, instead of buying them to own.

Things are coming full circle to regression, not evolution.

@CrimsonWing It’s the only way to sulk nowadays. They just sound principled and willing to sacrifice their own childish greed to say “no, I’m good for now.”

[shinoff2183]

It's console gaming. Evolve or die. That's the dumbest thing I've read today. Why do you care I want physical

Crimson

It has nothing to do with a compulsive order. Some just want what they want. How many people lost ps3 and wii games or wii u games from buying digital only. You don't think that could happen again. It will I'm sure of it.

[giovonni]

@shinoff it’s stupid because you don’t understand the lingo of business and consoles are not immune. You either adapt to the change or you die out. It’s stupid because it doesn’t fit into your spoiled comfortable narrative of what you and some people think gaming should be. You either are going to evolve like you’ve been doing with gaming or die out and make room for those who embrace what’s coming.

[Tacoboto]

PC people have competition and multiple storefronts.

If Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation all allowed additional storefronts for increased digital competition I would agree 100% - physical is quickly becoming meaningless with day one patches and discs that really are just keys to the download.

I regret getting Hogwarts Legacy physical because of the required download. I love the fact that Ragnarok was digital in its Jötnar Edition. I wish TLOU Part 1 was digital in its Firefly Edition too... Pretty sure its disc is chilling in the HL case because I'm lazy when I disc swap. How nice it was that HFW is on PS+ Game Catalog so I didn't have to dig it out when BS came out

[Metal4ever]

if anyone needs to stop whining and crying about anything its you digital idiots for being so stupid because your screwing yourself over and your not smart enough to see it. whenever you buy games whether its new series x/ ps5 game or an older xbox one/ps4 or even older you have to pay full price value for it, but i can go to place like gamestop and by those games for half the price if not less. the only time digital gets anything close is when they have sales which despite happening quite often dont always have the games you want and if they did you would only get 10-15% off until maybe a year or so later then you can get it for slightly more off but a majority of the time the games will always stay at full price value. oh noooo whaahhh im so stupid i went digital and didnt realize that i would be paying full price when i could of gotten it for less if i got physical whaaah. get over it

[shinoff2183]

I tell the someone at work all the time. How many games are out there lost right now. Mgs4 I hear people cry about all the time. It's tied to the ps3 and can be played no where else. We'll guess what. If you had it digital well your sh out of luck. Meanwhile I still got my ps3 disc's. Wii wiiu and ps3 all digital consumers are left with whatever was on the Har drive last. I still have all my ps3 games, wii games and wii u games. Some might just be to short sighted and in 20 years when they wanna play a game from their yester years good luck.

[spicelicka]

Digital games are completely controlled by the publishers and only go on sale when they feel like, whereas physical games can be bought much cheaper if the merchants put them on sale on their own stores. PC games can pirate games easily that's why they don't whine.

https://store.playstation.c...

People that aren't bothered should maybe understand this. Imagine paying $60 for Call of duty fucking GHOSTS. There are only 2 re-bundled options for PS digital.

Because of physical you can buy it for under $15:

https://www.google.com/sear...

[autobotdan]

The Future is Now. Embrace the digital future?
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[ReelBigMike]

I was extremely bummed by this news, as I buy everything that I can physically. But I still think "outrage" might be a bit clickbait-y. Still very much hope they reverse course on this decision though.

[shinoff2183]

I wont buy it even being interested. Monster hunters that just came out. I was kinda interested in. Still won't buy. I will buy an indie digital and if I like it buy althea physical release if one comes out which happens alot. But for a big company Capcom to a aaa studio there's no excuse.

[gold_drake]

rightfully so.

i dont understand their reasoning at all. since close to 50% of all sales are physical.

and the "oh its JUST 60$ because of it" is bs. games didnt get more expensive because of the bluray or physical editions.

[Solitariussaint]

I won't buy this game and I encourage others to not buy this insult to console players either.

No wonder Alan Wake went multiplat, this was their insidious plan all along!

[FPS_D3TH]

Insidious 😂😂

Mald, my guy… mald.

[Solitariussaint]

I'm not mad or angry or balding though, I never even bought the first game heh.

[senorfartcushion]

There should be outrage.

They could afford to develop and package control for $60 not that long ago.

They can do the same for this.

Game companies are like Succession in a way - the TV show - the point is not “who wins” but that no matter who succeeds will do things differently and do them worse.

[z2g]

disagree all you want, but digital sales are up, and physical sales are down year over year over year. physical releases also cost more to make at a time when gamers are bitching about prices so....

[giovonni]

I like when the so called outraged gamer disagrees with the truth it makes my teeth white. They get everything else digitally, but it’s a hard no for video games watch them come back around and swear they were all for Digital downloads later down the road.

[shinoff2183]

Probably ain't gonna happen. I bet though most of the people on hear going really hard against physical media are mostly xbox players but it's OK I get it. Ms told you digital was the only future you need along with cloud. You've been conditioned amongst other things.

[shinoff2183]

Z2g

Why does it bother you what I purchase. Also take out the mobile percentages and digital isn't ahead by a whole large ass margin.

I just don't get why your upset about how some of us want to purchase.

[Metal4ever]

argue all you want but in the end its us physical buyers who are laughing at you digital idiots for screwing yourselves over cause every game you buy be it recent new gen or old gen game it will be at full price value where as i can go to gamestop and grab it used for half the price if not less so.....

[spicelicka]

Yeah because morons love being exploited.

It doesn't matter which sales are up or down, it's the principle of having the option.

Call of duty Ghosts is $60 on PSN digitally. A 10 year old fucking game.
https://store.playstation.c...

[SovereignSnaKe]

We've waited over a decade for this. Alan Wake II deserves a physical release for the fans and a nice steel book like the deluxe edition of Control. The front of the steel book was even textured. Yes I would pay 80 dollars for a deluxe edition of Alan Wake II. This sounds more like a case of Epic Games being a cheap ass publisher.

[Dario_DC]

I get day one physical games WAY CHEAPER than digital. These games are mine to do as I see fit.
The way things are going, I can't wait to see what all of you "it's the future bro", will say when your account gets blocked or deleted, because of some naughty word you said online. All of your games, saves, etc, lost and all that money gone.

[Petebloodyonion]

1) REMEDY missed a good opportunity to explain the REAL reason why they are going digital only meaning that they know that there are a lot ppl who will beat the 15 hours quest and then trade back the game meaning lots of second-hand copies for a game that won't generate massive sales.

2) Remedy could have at least gone for a Limited run deal on physical release at a later date.

3) Lots of ppl bring up the PC versus the console to explain how PC has been doing great without physical but these ppl are forgetting 2 important things
- There is more than 1 digital storefront of PC versus a console that only has the maker's store.
- PC gamers always have access to their game when they upgrade PC, or upgrade OS (even change OS brand) which is far from a guarantee on a console.

[giovonni]

I mean, I get it but it’s been a known issue for years with development cost, and devs losing money to second hand/used market . 2nd maybe they will later on, but with the way that the industry is going they may not. 3 you just supported the need for the console market to evolve. Why can’t a console be in every house hold like a computer, have access to all games no matter the hardware, that support digital storefronts.

[Neonridr]

at the end of the day I'm just psyched for more Alan Wake. I would have liked physical as I like to eventually trade in games at some point, it is what it is. Will it being digital only stop me from playing it? No.

[shinoff2183]

That's a lost sale from me. I'd give an indie a pass but even they have avenues. There's no excuse for a aaa developer to skip physical releases and when they do I'll show how much I dislike by not buying the game. Kinda blows it was one of the few that I looked forward to.

[Guitardr85]

Exactly!!! "Outrage" is reserved for acts of intentional racism against you, someone committing a violent crime against your family, your country and home being invaded, etc. A video game being released as "digital only" is more of a passing inconvenience at most for those who would be bothered by it.

[Hofstaderman]

Sorry I want a physical copy for my shelf.

[isarai]

I'm sure they'll be a physical GOTY edition at some point, I refuse to buy this digital and support that BS

[Binarycode]

Outrage might be a bit strong, But it's not good.

Single player games I buy, play, sell. Unless its the kind of game I want to keep and playthrough a few times etc.

Digital is not the way for me, although it is for not producing more plastic, if your into that type of crusade. it's all good.

But they will lose many sales this way imo.,

[THEzRude]

OUTRAGED couple people in some backwaters neckbeard forum that nobody cares of.

[jBlakeeper]

I am sure the game will release in a physical format within two years after its release date, thus tempting many people to double dip.

[FPS_D3TH]

So enjoy your L and don’t buy the game then. I’ll be enjoying it. Miss me with this outrage in 2023. Pc master race lmao

[Metal4ever]

people who buy digital are idiots, your just screwing yourselves over cause every game you buy be it a new gen game or old gen will be at full price value but us physical buyers can go to a place like gamestop and buy those games used for half the price if not less. the only time that digital can get any support is from sales that the online stores will occasionally have and even then its not always the best deals. go ahead and gloat over thinking digital is better cause its not and never will be like i said you will always be paying full price while the physical buyers get the better deals in the end.

[Ps5conehead]

You’re using idiot a lot there aren’t you. Well I downloaded everything since ps4 those downloads worked on my ps5. They even upgraded the ones that had a ps5 upgrade. Plus most of you who buy physical do not realize that when you put the blu-ray in your still downloading the game off of the servers. They even tell you that. So if they ever remove them off the servers then you’re screwed just as us digital only users are. But I’m handicapped in a wheel chair .with other handicaps so I don’t have to change the disk to play a game. So it makes it easier on me. But that’s the third time you used idiot to describe digital users. I don’t care if you want physical are not. So why does it bother you for us to download only. You need to complain to epic . Call them idiots if you want. But stop calling us idiots for being down load only.