Update: We've got a definitive answer! Bethesda has updated its official Starfield pre-order FAQ today to confirm that the standard version of the game will include a disc on Xbox Series X and PC.
"Starfield Standard Edition is included with Xbox Game Pass. Game disc included with physical purchases of Xbox Standard Edition. Game code included with physical purchases of PC Standard Edition."
Original story: If you were browsing social media over the weekend, you may have noticed a bit of talk about Starfield's physical version not shipping with a disc, and this is due to a tweet that Bethesda actually ended up deleting shortly afterwards.
The tweet, which was from Bethesda Support in response to a fan, mentioned that all physical editions of Starfield only come with a code for Xbox or PC (depending on the platform you choose), with no physical discs available.
As a result, lots of people began running with the news:
However, the original tweet was then deleted. Following this, it was discovered that back on June 13th, the Spanish Twitter account for Bethesda had been telling players that Starfield would come with a physical disc, and it was only the special Constellation Edition that would ship as a code-only product.
Here's a translation from that tweet:
"Hello partners! It depends on the edition. For example, the standard has a disc, while the Constellation Edition has a code engraved on a collector's item..."
So, that's where we are as things stand! We'll obviously let you know when Bethesda provides more clarification on this, but it looks like we'll be getting physical discs for Starfield after all — we certainly hope so, anyway.
What are your thoughts about this? Tell us down in the comments section below.
Comments 63
It's on gamepass. This is about gamepass. I agree with it 100%. In fact, I think they should have had it as a gamepass exclusive.
As this game is ONLY releasing on Series S/X & PC, the ONLY version a Disc is actually likely to be bought by people is the Series X version. Series S owners won't buy a Disc they can't use and PC's are pretty much Digital only too.
Therefore, you are only making Discs for a 'tiny' percentage of the market. Even if Series X was the 'biggest' (in terms of number of Gamers using Series X), with Game Pass and those who prefer to buy Digital these days, the number of 'discs' sold will be extremely low. Also, I doubt it would contain the best version or even a Complete version of the Software on Disc. Its more for a valid Licence check these days, that you actually 'own/possess' a Licence to play the Software.
@Hellostranger game pass only?! Really? Some people can’t justify gamepass financially or don’t want it. Also some areas have really slow or capped internet. Lol, that is NOT how you give gamers choices.
I imagine eventually physical sales will trickle out but while there is still a market it should be an option.
@Hellostranger why would you even opt to remove a choice like that? How would anyone benefit from that yourself included?
I have 16 discs for Xbox One, my first Xbox. I went all digital afterwards. I like the disc drive in Series X. It lets you play BDs, DVDs and, unlike Playstation, CDs. I expect the Series X2 to also have a disc drive because of Series X still getting games on disc. There will be a disc-less next-gen console. Series S was not the first, it was Xbox One S All-Digital Edition.
The fact that in 2023 video games are the only form of media that anyone cares about physical media blows my mind. That being said we all barely care since digital sales are far greater than physical
@ZuneTattooGuy it’s like books. There is still a market for this because some people like the arrangement of them on shelf. I personally went digital as soon as it was available and is my preferred choice but I know some who prefer physical - especially from a price point of view for aged games.
@Hellostranger having things exclusive to gamepass sounds like a horrible idea.
@Alpha_Pulse
The only games that have any immense value are from the 80s and 90s. Back before video games became a huge player in the entertainment field. And of those games the one that have any value are the ones who didn't sell well or weren't produced in great numbers. That's why E.V.O for SNES is $600+ and Super Mario Bros is $30.
Games made in the past 20 years will hold zero value unless its a limited run game. But most games, including Starfield, will have a big day one patch and the disc itself will hold the first couple hours of gameplay. So it becomes a less convenient way to tell a server to download your game. Instead of worrying about physically game boxes looking pretty on a shelf pay an artist on Etsy to make you a cool game sculpture or poster and put those up instead
@Hellostranger
I think on Xbox and PC you should be able to buy it off gamepass but I think Microsoft should go to Sony and Nintendo and offer games like this and others only on Gamepass. For Nintendo use cloud streaming and for Sony they can download it but again it must be obtained through gamepass
@Wheatly
I am happy when $300 collectors editions come with a copy of the game at all. Often times they don't.
Diablo® IV Limited Collector’s Box is a recent example, came with a bunch of fun stuff but not a copy of the game. Nintendo Switch often makes special editions of their console but doesn't include a copy of the game.
@Hellostranger Game Pass only? Hell NO! That would do so much damage to the Xbox brand. Game Pass is still only a small percentage of PC and Xbox users. Not everyone want it.
Come on Xbox game preservation, and right to own matters. Give us the disc.
@Exerion76 You've got to consider how many blu-ray layers it would take to store a game today, and if it is even feasible. Installing from the internet would be faster than the disc transfer rate, too.
@Alpha_Pulse @Krzzystuff @themightyant @PSme Nah, if it's gonna be the Netflix of gaming and be spread across mobile, then it's gonna and gotta have exclusive to gamepass games. Like it or lump it.
I should point out I'm being sarcastic I genuinely forgot to put a wink face at the end of my first comment LOL
@ZuneTattooGuy I like that idea. It would strengthen the brand
“It looks like we'll be getting physical discs for Starfield after all — we certainly hope so, anyway”
But why? Physical discs are well on their way out, going the same way as DVDs and music CDs. Almost everyone is all for digital these days and seeing as the Series X will be the only system that will make use of physical copies of Starfield it won’t be enough to justify having a physical option at all.
Games like Alan Wake 2 have got the right idea of going digital only and reducing the launch price as they are saving on not having to pay to distribute physical copies, plus companies these days are boarding on the wagon of saving the planet and reducing carbon footprint, they will also be reducing costs and maximising profits. There’s no positives to having a physical copy these days seeing as it’s basically just a license that allows you play the game and there’s day one patches so your going to be online for it anyway even if it’s only once. You may argue that you can sell it second hand and get some cash back for it but I can’t wait for the day brick and mortar stores like CEX to close down when there are no more physical copies because that’s happening in the very near future, Alan Wake 2 is proof of that.
The PC crowd must look at the console gamers and shrug their shoulders when news like this comes around.
@PixelDragon
Have to give credit where credit is due. They pulled it off by slapping a Xbox "brand" on the extremely aggressive DRM and the fans have defended it voraciously.
Like those defending putting a sliver of paper in a giant piece of useless plastic instead of using it as a disc holder in the case of Starfield- I really hope really good that isn't true
@FleaBag_11
Ya the movie argument is bizarre. They are still very much so releasing movies on disk, a lot of folks still buy blu rays
@CallMeDuraSouka
DRM on a low monthly cost service makes sense, intense DRMs on full priced games does not. That's the only reason Gamepass has it's fans despite the DRM
I am not sure how something like this makes headline news.
LOL. Imagine going on to your local news network and the host anchor starts the newscast with, "And today, controversy is swirling in the gaming industry as people are confused as to whether a disc will or will not be included with the special edition of Bethesda's latest RPG game Starfield. Over to Jeff, for on the scene live at a gamer's home for this important issue that effects every gamer".
Truly, gamers are spending way too much time nitpicking every thing possible about Starfield. Microsoft is looking to have a good game here, and people are nitpicking every aspect of it trying to find a flaw.
@ZuneTattooGuy I don’t buy anything digital. Music, Movies/TV Shows and games. I like to own my things and not have to worry about it being taken away in the future. Also if a game doesn’t include the whole thing on the disc it is very easy to get a refund unless it says on the front cover that a download is required. Rear cover doesn’t count.
So on the day Xbox starts shutting down stores I won’t be affected at all.
I’m surprised so few people here care about physical games.
The excuses here:
I’m a big fan of Game Pass but why do we make so many excuses for massive corporations cutting corners.
It’s good this game is releasing physically. Game preservation is a good thing. Allowing frugal gamers to resell their games and trade for new ones is a good thing. Allowing collectors to enjoy their physical collections is a good thing.
Why are people so willing to throw this gaming lifestyle down the drain?
I’ve just decided that I’m buying this game physically and never playing it through Game Pass out of principle.
This isn't the first time that games have released at least on XB where the super special collectors edition has no disc but the standard retail edition does. It's weird but seems common, so it sounds like this is just par for the course.
@GamingFan4Lyf LOL you say that right after I said to Sploosh in another thread that the last PC game I played game on physical discs I don't think I owned more than one digital PC game, my whole PC collection is physical. I think you mean PC-gamer kids
@PixelDragon
That's a good point, however that itself presents a very strong counter point to all digital on console. Choice. All digital on PC was viable because you had multiple markets at least, where they can't brute force a price through
@MaccaMUFC it doesn’t bring the price down (assuming you buy legit) digital prices are more expensive than buying it physical. £70 for final fantasy digital, £55 to buy it physical. (Potential resale too as you mention).
It’s an excuse to charge more, keep prices higher and stop resales. As I said elsewhere. If they sell you a console with a disc drive, then disc games should be available.
@Kienda @ZuneTattooGuy
I think it's a bigger deal on console because they are closed eco systems. There is no valve, gmg,gog, epic, etc. You destroy any competitive secondary market by taking away physical- it is not in any way agois thing that people should be cheering
@PsBoxSwitchOwner
I simply don't get why people cheer this digital only idea. Look at Nintendo, they are a window into this singular economy system. You pay what we want and you'll like it, we might throw a discount maybe.... You can't turn around and say I'll just grab it on X, or PS because it's cheaper or get it on pc down the road(kind of dense comparison for 1st party,but close enough)
@Kienda There are a several reasons:
I just don't use discs much at all and that isn't a new development by any means. Physical copies can reach some good sale prices, faster, so occasionally I bite. I wish I could get the same deal on the digital versions.
@themightyant
This will happen though, it's that slow burn that Phil is actually REALLY good at. Gamers are stubborn creatures if you force something. However if you drip fed the idea, - early access Starfield when you are paying already for"day one through Gamepass" for a fee", the outrage has actually been pretty muted for what is a gross idea. Next they can take Fable and say only on gamepass but pay "X/Y" to play early", the outcry now and more muted.
@ZuneTattooGuy I would much prefer a statue too.
Disc isn't needed, I know people like it, but it's a waste, Alan Wake 2 isn't on disc. Starfield is huge, would it even fit on disc, it's just a physical key at this point a disc. Not sure why the massive over reaction on other sites. I've not bought a disc for about 5 years.
@NEStalgia I think the last physical game I ever bought on PC was the original Bio Shock. I haven't seen a physical PC game except for older titles in the bargain bin at Wal Mart.
I am guessing physical PC games are found in niche corners of the internet. Steam, Epic, GOG have pretty much taken over.
@47AlphaTango I'm the same way, I've been building up my disc game collection like crazy the last few years. I have a Series X and it will be the last console I buy, because I'm pretty sure it's the last one that will have a disc drive and even if it's not, all of the new games are just going to be a license and no data on the disc. Well in that case, I might still buy discs because I'll at least have a license that can't be taken away, but at the same time they could shut down the server and then the license doesn't get me anything. So I've been focusing on finishing my original Xbox and Xbox 360 collection. I get Xbox One and Series X games also, just not as many.
@GamingFan4Lyf Oh you're not wrong, the last time I bought a PC game was probably 2008. That's when I switch to console because I got sick and tired of the expensive failing hardware, constant upgrade cycle, and was at the time trapped on dialup so Steam was a four letter word.
@ZuneTattooGuy what switch game has a special edition of the game that doesn't come with a physical?
The only game people play that doesn't come with a physical that I know of, is Just Dance. Which doesn't have a special edition.
Real facts: Nintendo is the only physical first of the big 2.5 - and is destroying the other two by extremely large margins. Nintendo completely controls the console video game market at the moment. All you have to do is look at any top ten list from week to week. Frankly, gaming heads of Microsoft AND Sony should all be fired on the spot if they don't improve the situation by January 2024.
@NEStalgia It was about 2009 when I made the full switch from PC to console - mostly for the same reasons. I was always a multi-platform person, but I completely cut PC out of the equation.
I spent more time tinkering with games to get the best visuals to performance ratios than I did just playing games and enjoying them.
@PixelDragon
I do agree with the sense of ownership thing.
But, when we buy a game we are not buying a physical copy of the game. The license agreement clearly states you are buying a license to use that game. The disc is simply a medium to distribute the game.
From a collector or ownership perspective, I would rather have unique game posters (preferably signed), and cool, unique things associated with the game rather than a disc.
You'd think Microsoft would want to clarify this ASAP as the FTC could use it against the Activision acquisition (Microsoft using the power of CoD to kill off retail).
@Grumblevolcano that could also be the reason they aren't committing to anything. If they lie it could be a curtain call.
@theduckofdeath but why wish for the death of physical or support business practices that hurt those who love physical just because you don’t like physical? A company can continue being a mix of physical and digital for years and it won’t affect you being fully digital in the slightest. Everything you have said about physical is opposite of how I enjoy my console games.
@CallMeDuraSouka I agree. Because consoles are enclosed eco systems I mainly buy physical on console. But I also play PC games that never release physically, so my PC collection is almost 100% digital. But I don’t feel so bad about this because PC games never die because of the way it works on PC.
We've got confirmation! Article has been updated.
"Game disc included with physical purchases of Xbox Standard Edition. Game code included with physical purchases of PC Standard Edition."
@GamingFan4Lyf Yep, for me it was the endless cycle of spend 3k on hardware. Spend a month getting it configured. Run game. Either BSOD, or C2D or total lock, spend hours reasearching on internet, try driver update, try driver rollback, find out it needs a motherboard firmware, but that doesn't work, but now there's a new problem, troubleshoot that, try some expermental beta version of driver or firmware, that introduces a new problem that seems catastropic. Spend 3 days solving that. Then get game working. Repeat ever other new game. Then 1 year later find out you need a new GPU (or new windows) which then needs a new mobo which then needs a new cpu, new memory format, so the whole 3k machine goes in the trash and everything is bought from scratch but "pc is amAzInG cuz u kan uPgRaDe iT!"
I was done at that point. I know people say it's better now, but I don't buy it for a second. That seems like it was a microcosm because PS4 One sucked and held everything back.
GeForce Now piques my interest though. Most of the perks of PC but all that mess is their problem, not mine, for like 1/5 the price of the GPU itself without even considering the rest of the hardware.
@ZuneTattooGuy Wait until your internet goes down and not only will you not be able to download any games, you will not be able to play the ones that you actually have installed, because it can't check to see if you have a license. Having your Xbox set to the home console doesn't do any good either because, for some reason it still has to check in after a certain amount of time, which renders the whole entire thing useless if you still don't have the internet. It's complete nonsense and I will not be participating in a digital only future of video games. I already don't feel right about buying digital games even when I get them 90% off, because I know, that at some point I will be denied access to my purchases. For whatever reason.
@PixelDragon
I do agree that the vendor should be clear what is in the package. Whether they must include a disc or not is entirely up to them.
Does it give gamers more choice? Yes. Do they have to offer more choice? No. Do I believe they should offer the choice? Yes.
Is it front page news? Definitely not.
@ZYDIO
I've had Internet outages and my downloaded games work just fine. And if my Internet was down for an extended period of time I would be busy chewing out my Internet provider to play any games. I pay good money to have a 1 gbps connection and they don't go down very often
@ZYDIO if you do buy a new game on disc disconnect your Xbox from the internet and try and play it. If it plays then great you OWN the game. If it doesn’t work and says it needs a download send it back because it’s defective as long as it doesn’t say prominently on the product description page for online orders or on the FRONT cover if bought in a shop that requires an internet connection. I’ve sent plenty of games back because if this.
@ZYDIO
Great selective reading you have. I said my Internet has gone down before and I was able to play my games still. I live in 2023 and I've not had more than a few hours for an Internet outage. Worst case scenario I would turn on my 5g hotspot on my phone and connect for a quick license check. If you live out in the sticks or you are too poor to afford good Internet that's on you and maybe you have bigger problems and shouldn't buy a $300-500 video game system
@NEStalgia I had a free trial of GeForce Now a while back. I believe it included the 2080 Ti tier or whatever. The only RTX game I had on Steam (since I don't buy anything on their anymore) was Quake 2 RTX (as it uses the shareware version of Q2) and it was AMAZING!
I can run Quake 2 RTX locally at 30fps but I have to set it to like 1024x768, the lowest possible fixed resolution scale (which I believe is 25% of the set resolution), and have FSR upscale the image
There is something kind of neat about seeing retro resolutions with full path-tracing - LOL!
@ZYDIO
You're not angry but you ranted like a child. Ok. I'm saying most people who have game consoles, have reasonable Internet connections that don't go down for days at a time and even if that were the case have cellphones that most if not all have hotspot capabilities.
Do you know how many days you can go without having to check in with an Internet connection? 30 days for gamepass games, 14 days with digital games you own. Even the worst internet companies won't be down for either of those time frames
@ZYDIO
You act like none of us own Xboxes, don't have digital games and gamepass. I have all three and can promise you I can go more than 24 without an Internet connection and still connect to everyone of my games. Also this is 2023 most people have phones with hotspots so yes an Xbox series S with an external screen attachment would be fun on a car trip. You seem a little too unstable and fragile for the Internet
All that bellyaching and it turns out it has a disc anyway. Yet more outrage in the comments section over trivial things. That grass definitely needs to be touched.
@J_Mo_Money
It may have a disc but I promise you a majority of the game won't be on the disc. It will require a hefty install and a nice size day one patch
@ZYDIO
I do defend Microsoft and whatever decision they wish to make when it comes to needing to check licenses on games I download. It doesn't hurt me or literally most others. Also don't act like Sony, Nintendo, Epic and Valve don't do it too. The vast majority of us are connected to the internet at all times so instead of fear mongering some apocalyptic scenario where you are without internet for weeks on end just accept technology is moving forward
@ZYDIO
Because discs are on their way out and the small percentage of people who even buy discs anymore aren't worth it
@ZuneTattooGuy i wont be getting the disc anyway, it’s just a frisbee these days. All physical media does it take up space in the home at this point. Team digital all the way.
@ZYDIO
They took away movie and music discs for the most part and now must of pay monthly fees for endless content in both fields. One day I hope we can do the same for video games
@ZuneTattooGuy If GamePass offered the equivalent of content comparable to the music or video services, I would shut up about all of this right now. We wouldn't even be having this conversation, because who would even care about digital, disc or ownership at that point. Well, ownership to an exent anyways. If I can get just about every Xbox game going back to the original Xbox available as a digital download that could be locally stored on my machine and have 30 day check-in for a low monthly fee, I would be all in. Not just for my own selfish reasons of having access to anything I could possibly imagine, but I'm sure it would go a long way for game preservation. As far as the check-in, I believe that it should work like this: attempt to check in every day and if successful reset the timer. 30 days without an internet check-in would actually have to pass before anything would happen. I don't believe it happens that way right now and I could be wrong, but I believe that just once every 30 days it checks in and if you just so happen to have your internet down on that 30th day, you're kind of screwed until it comes back. Like I said, correct me if I'm wrong.
Physical games are becoming novelty merchandise, sadly. Even if there's a disc, the version on that disc is going to be buggy and incomplete. Every game needs a massive patch on day 1, and if you need to go online to download that you may as well just download the whole game.
@WhensDinner That's exactly why this generation will probably be the last generation of games and hardware that I participate in. Unless, what I said in my last comment happens. It's kind of sad because I've been playing video games since I was old enough to hold a controller or should I say joystick. I think the Odyssey was the first video game system I remember playing and I have been playing on consoles ever since and have been in and out of PC gaming throughout the years.
@Kienda I'm not wishing for physical to go away, it is just an eventuality. Phonographic cylinders gave way to records, which gave way to DAT and cassettes and eventually CDs, followed by digital. Film to VHS to DVDs->Blu-Rays->UHD discs. Physical media exist mainly because digital was not possible at the time.
Digital games have the same fidelity and are more convenient. Companies don't want to spend the money on printing/shipping/storing physical games. The games can't fit on the discs unless multiple denser, multi-layer discs are used. That, too, raises cost. Physical PC games have really been download codes for about 15 years now.
I prefer movie discs for spectacle films because streaming can't match the picture and sound quality. Games, however, always look the same. They data needs to be installed.
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