Why are physical PS5 copies cheaper than steam

[Hazel]

There's The cost of the physical disk + shipping + paying for store space + sales people + console adaption.

I'm confused more than anything

[Hypronic •ᴗ•]

You gotta look on official 3rd party sites to get deals at launch on PC. Like Fanatical or Gamebillet for example, you can get the game for around $60 or so. (assuming ur in the US but prices vary by country) These sites give you the game to redeem on Steam and they're legit since they get their copies directly from Atlus themselves. The prices are usually around the same if not better than physical games on consoles.

[Arifufu]

perhaps digital copy is more convenient also the fact this one has denuvo, so higher cost to cover denuvo? idk, my last physical disc was PS2, so if i wanna some price drop i need to wait steam sale, usually a new digital game will go on sale 3 months after release, welp it depend on the game developer, but it won't hurt to wait some months so digital copy can be cheaper, also in-game pre-order bonus isn't exciting, unless you grab collector edition, i am not planning one so i am skipping pre-order this game, better wait some price drop if you ask me.

i know most people will prefer phsycal copy, but seeing PS5 Pro doesn't include disk drive inside, console is becoming PC by this point, i know you can buy disk drive for PS5 Pro, but still Sony is getting ready to make its console PC-like in future PS6

[Skasaha]

Retailers don't have to sell the game at RRP.

Incidentally, there are 3rd party digital retailers so you may still be able to find a discount depending on your region.

[archonsod]

Because the only physical edition available for PC is the steelbook edition, and Steam won't be allowed to undercut it's price.
It's not exactly cheaper though - PC steelbook is £59.99 but apart from the steelbook case you also get a parchment map and a voucher for the pre-order bonuses. Basic console version is £49.99, but it's just the game - no map or content voucher.
The other option is the 35th anniversary edition; on Steam it's £89.99. Consoles £129, though in their case it's a physical artbook and they get some stickers and metal pin badges thrown in (plus the steelbox).

Originally posted by Hazel:

There's The cost of the physical disk + shipping + paying for store space + sales people + console adaption.

Whereas on Steam Valve take a 30% cut of the price, and the publisher is eligible for sales tax/VAT (on average 20%). Physical edition on the other hand the only thing Sega is paying for is pressing the disks and a portion of the shipping, the rest of the costs are passed on to the stores themselves.

Originally posted by Skasaha:

Incidentally, there are 3rd party digital retailers so you may still be able to find a discount depending on your region.

Yep. GMG for example currently has it at £53 for the Steam version, £80.99 for the 35th Anniversary edition. Cheapest I've seen it is on WinGameStore which actually managed to beat the console version (by 30p).