PC Retail Disc Controversy

[Truder]

So as we know now, the PC retail disc is nothing more than a steam key and steam installer.

http://www.vg247.com/2015/08/31/metal-gear-solid-5-the-phantom-pain-pc-disc-only-contains-steam-installer/

http://www.pcgamer.com/metal-gear-solid-5-disc-seems-to-only-contain-steam-installer/

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/metal-gear-solid-v-on-pc-is-a-28gb-download-even-if-you-buy-it-on-disc-734265

Now while many users are ok with this, there are those who bought the retail disc in order to not have to download over 28GB of data. In my situation it'll take 30 hours to download the game and there are those in similar situations with poor internet connection speeds or even data limits/fair usage limits.

Now people have been saying that this kind of thing has been going on for a while, that retail editions are steam only, well yes this is true however that's not stopped game data/content being on a disc anyway. Usually when a steam game is released on disc, the game is encrypted requiring a decryption process through steam and this is exactly what I was expecting to happen.

So what can we do about this? Well I've submitted a ticket to Konami, I'm definitely not happy about this and if anyone else agrees, might be worth others submitting tickets too (here's a link) https://uk.secure.konami-europe.com/ics/support/ticketnewwizard.asp?style=classic and here's what I included in my ticket:-

Originally posted by Truder:

Through various websites such as news outlets as well as community websites such as Reddit and the Steam Community, it has come to my attention that the retail disc copy of MGSV Phantom Pain only contains a basic steam installer thus requiring an end user to download the game through steam as if it was digitally purchased.

Not only does this mean that the disc is completely useless but it also shows a complete disregard not only for your customers but also the environment wasting resources.

In my situation, MGSV is 28GB and on my internet connection for example, it would take around 30 hours to download the game, that means leaving my computer on for 30 hours straight while unable to use my internet connection for anything else.

The entire reason for purchasing the disc copy was to alleviate the necessity of downloading the game or at least minimise time required to download.

I ask you, how do you expect to resolve this?

You can treat this as a formal complaint.

I'm certainly eager for their response.

[R!SK]

Mine comes tomorrow. I didn't buy it for the disc, because I have a great connection but it's not like I want an empty disc, I payed for it. It was cheaper than digital so wasn't that bad.

[PRIMSZ]

Reason I am getting disc edition is because of bandwidth cap only and almost 20 gb is left :\

The only plus side for me getting disc edition is the cost which is 15$

[zakaweb]

Welcome to the future. Unfortunate but expect more of this.

[Axolti]

Originally posted by RiSk:

Mine comes tomorrow. I didn't buy it for the disc, because I have a great connection but it's not like I want an empty disc, I payed for it. It was cheaper than digital so wasn't that bad.

Hmm...no. That's not really anything related to this thread. It kind of sounds like you're beating the drums to your own beat than actually coordinating with the band.

It is certainly disturbing that game retailers would go through the trouble of writing on discs just to include a Steam installer and an encrypted key. Before we can even start effectively protesting against their methods, we would have to understand how they can get such a thing in the first place.

Steam itself is free, so it cannot be sold for commercial gain. TPP on the other hand can, but as you've pointed out, it's nothing more than a code for the Steam to recognize that your specific account has access to the game. What's really confusing to me is understanding who is selling these codes to these retailers. If Konami is doing so, then how much can they possibly be selling each individual code for? It's highly likely Konami isn't making these discs themselves, since it would be more cost than gain, especially when Steam would be the medium with nearly no cost to Konami.

If whatever retailer is obtaining discs that they've paid another manufacturer to literally purchase or make blank discs, then burn the Steam installer and TPP code into those said discs, and lastly, create boxes for those discs, then I hope they got a huge percentage off for TPP codes. Because the cost there must be huge compared to the gains.

[Agro]

If your internet is that bad, maybe console is the way to go. Kind of a no brainer, sorry.

[Wakey]

That's publishers for you. They advance everything that makes it easier/cheaper for them. Not waiting for everything else needed to keep up.

I got a rather slow connection but always buy digital anyway. So I personally don't care.
And I've never even seen any of those "limited usage" connection avaible in my country. But man it gotta suck. So I understand why people would be mad about this.

[Axolti]

Originally posted by PRIMSZ:

Reason I am getting disc edition is because of bandwidth cap only and almost 20 gb is left :\

The only plus side for me getting disc edition is the cost which is 15$

If what the OP said is true, then I have some terrible news for you. The first is that there is no game on the disc. The next is that your disc edition sounds fishier than fisherman who's been working for half a year without so much as a shower.

The cost is just so low that it's either a god send, or it's fake. More often than not, thanks to knockoffs, it's been the latter. Really hoping you got the real deal.

[lPaladinl]

Welcome to Steam games.

[Pacino]

It's misleading, disrespectful and a con. You are basically paying for a disk with nothing on it. Yes, I realise that most games rarely come out without a form of DRM and the disk is still useless without internet but that doesn't change the principle of the matter. They may as well have just made it digital only. It also ignores various circumstances. When I was on Virgin my internet was abysmal which meant I had to get the bigger games on disk so that I didn't have to wait days to play them. There are also those that have data caps (before you smirk, it is still a thing for many people) and don't have the bandwidth for such a large download. Konami are absolutely disgusting. As for "buy it on console", not everyone owns one and it is yet again far beside the point.

[MaggiFX]

Two simple reasons.

1. Collectors want the Box, this series has a lot of Collectiors.

2. Even with the added costs of shippments, Boxes, DVD's ect... If they manage to do this for less than 30% of the Games cost, which is Valves Cut, every Retail Box would make them more money.

[Blue_Lightning]

I posted my opinion on the KJP intro thread. This sucks bigtime and is misleading.

[Truder]

Well, this also means that the product description is incorrect then, at least on the amazon page. Here are some screenshots (look at the highlighted section, it says it includes the game, so this is incorrect) and the amazon page.

http://puu.sh/jV5uO/e64ab14c17.jpg

http://puu.sh/jV5wU/87fb7f8076.png

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B013WO87B4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Yes my name is Stefan

[reoman56]

Blame it on the PC pirates. Its all part of the gaming master race world sadly.

Yeah and I would look into a PS4 or xbone if my internet was that bad.

[PRIMSZ]

Originally posted by ReaperEDX:

Originally posted by PRIMSZ:

Reason I am getting disc edition is because of bandwidth cap only and almost 20 gb is left :\

The only plus side for me getting disc edition is the cost which is 15$

If what the OP said is true, then I have some terrible news for you. The first is that there is no game on the disc. The next is that your disc edition sounds fishier than fisherman who's been working for half a year without so much as a shower.

The cost is just so low that it's either a god send, or it's fake. More often than not, thanks to knockoffs, it's been the latter. Really hoping you got the real deal.

15$ is truth :)

http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B011NANFWK/ref=s9_simh_gw_p63_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A1VBAL9TL5WCBF&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0DCPZP7KQ6XJH56K4MPE&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=653407267&pf_rd_i=desktop

[Blue_Lightning]

Yup dat sweet sweet Indian regional pricing.