[redbackthomson]

> Rockstar said physical copies of the game will contain a code for a digital download for the game inside a box, rather than a disc.

So what's the point of that? Why waste all that money and energy shipping "physical copies" when it could just be an email

[Traster]

It's being released on November 19th, you need a box so it can go on a shelf in walmart so your relative can buy it, wrap it up and put it under the christmas tree.

[Stitch4223]

No disks large enough probably (100 gig for PS5). And still if they manage to squeeze some form of the game on it, a large day one patch would render it obsolete.

A nice box with artwork like a map and other goodies is still great. I always found those maps useful and aesthetically pleasing.

Having a playable version of a game physically is great and I’d buy a version with some physical storage medium if it ever hits the shelves. Maybe the game needs more time for that. Or a different data carrier.

Edit: added PS5 disk size and preference of a physical game

[gonzalohm]

World of Warcraft shipped with 6 DVDs or something like that. Installing it was a pain in the ass but there is something nice about that whole ritual

[MYEUHD]

A PS5 disk can hold as much as 100GB, and they could use multiple disks if necessary.

[FinnKuhn]

You can't wrap an email as a Christmas present.

[quentindanjou]

So it has a presence in stores.

[dguest]

Also so that it can make the retailer money. The studio might not want to piss off the retailer, which they would do by pulling the physical copy (or selling it at the OEM price directly). There are cases where retailers will de-list some products in retaliation.

What's interesting to me is that game studios have less to loose here than other OEMs. With equipment like shoes, outdoor gear, or cars, having the physical product out in stores does a lot to sell it: you have to try on shoes, driving a car builds attachment, it's also nice to check the build quality of your tent or whatever.

With games, you generally just have to play it / read the reviews, and you can trial it directly at home in a lot of cases.

[varispeed]

Sounds shit. Taking space for products that actually need space.

[quentindanjou]

It is seen constantly with a wide variety of products: the presence and visibility make the sale. You even have boxes that are much larger so that they get more visibility on shelves.

[zamadatix]

If it didn't have a utility in taking the shelf space they wouldn't bother making them as it'd be a net loss. If it's not a net loss, people must be finding value such products being there as that's where they are choosing to buy them. That could be anything from gifting to collecting to lack of awareness otherwise, but it doesn't really matter what - there's no inherently shit reason for a product to be on the shelf other than if it actually doesn't have demand in that form.

[Hugsbox]

I think it's just that some people really like having a physical object to put in their bookshelf or whatever. I don't personally see the point, but I also don't need any more clutter in my house.

[v5v3]

Awareness and for those who don't yet have a console?

Every shop selling it will be advertising it in their shop windows and on the shop floor. That's free marketing!

Also I imagine there will be bundle deals with consoles and other accessories.

[gdulli]

Maybe the point is to trick people into thinking they're buying a version that they have the right to resell. The online version is a lesser product.

[Topfi]

Physical store space, promotional contracts with vendors, special editions, bundles, etc.

I find it very silly, utterly unnecessary, but it is far from unprecedented [0] for this industry. I think it's very problematic for preservation and will only lead to more interest from groups trying to bypass their DRM because of this.

[0] https://www.shacknews.com/article/108552/cardboard-disc-incl...

[scotty79]

Selling empty useless packaging should be illegal. If they want to use physical chain they should come up with a physical product that has some utility.