If I buy a physical version of Fallout 4, can I redeem it on steam and get achievments etc?

[Yung Coconut]

As the title says.

[tmwfte]

Probably. Outside of ESO, I don't think there's been a PC physical release of a Bethesda game that hasn't had a Steam code since before Skyrim.

[ໂ‧͡‧̫ໃ]

Since Fallout 3 and other Bethesda games used Steamworks, there is a high possibility Fallout 4 will as well. But you can't be sure of it currently as they might not go in that direction. So you'll have to wait longer to find out.

[ONe_mOMENT]

Bethesda announced "Bethesda.net" during their conference.

Speculation so far is that it will mirror what Battle.net does for blizzard(Uplay is to Ubisoft etc). A unified game launcher for their products.

Till we hear more info, I would suggest you don't presume it will be steamworks.

[Praisethevillain]

I'd like to know if they'll do this as well. I'd really like the collectors edition to get that pip boy and the other stuff, but I want to have the steam version to log my hours ect. Hopefully we'll be able to order the physical stuff, and it will come with a Steam key. If anyone gets more info on this, please share.

[GREY*]

https://mobile.twitter.com/DCDeacon/status/611339800373628928

[Brother Bigot]

Of course not

[OTIS]

For this game, yes.

If any game uses Stemworks for DRM, as the more recent Bethesda games do (starting with New vegas I beleieve) then you install the physical disk and it will register with Steam automatically. Then you can download a digital copy if you lose the disk.

This does not work for every game on Steam. If you buy Mass Effect on disk you cannot then register it on Steam and get a digital copy even if Steam also sells it on the store. Mainly because that game was not deigned to use the Steam client as a form of DRM.

The general rule is that if it says on the package that it requires Steam to run, then you get a digital copy added to your library.

As I said, both New Vegas and Skyrim did this, so I believe Fallout 4 will as well.

[DLCoates1]

As stated here http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-4-pc-discs-dont-contain-full-data-partial-/1100-6431658/, yes. The reason is that the disk won't contain the full game, which means you need to download the rest from steam, similar to new vegas, skyrim, wolfenstine, etc.

[epoz]

yes you need to i did the same

[Sagittarius]

I have the retail version, it includes a Steam-redeemable code. No worries.

[ha99ard]

So, if I buy the physical copy, will there be an option to download it from steam completely, i.e. I won't have to install from disk at all? I'm asking because I have a laptop without a DVD drive (I know weird, it's an Alienware...).

[Sagittarius]

Originally posted by ha99ard:

So, if I buy the physical copy, will there be an option to download it from steam completely, i.e. I won't have to install from disk at all? I'm asking because I have a laptop without a DVD drive (I know weird, it's an Alienware...).

This is not only an option - you will HAVE to download it through Steam, even if it's a retail copy.

[Rei]

I bought it retail, there is a code inside you NEED to redeem on Steam to unlock it. On PC there is no way on bypassing Steam.

[ha99ard]

But I did read that there is a DVD with some of the data (about 4GB) and the rest will be downloaded via steam. My question was whether the DVD part could be bypassed altogether, i.e. I never have to put the disk in to install the game?

[JustATextBox]

Originally posted by ha99ard:

But I did read that there is a DVD with some of the data (about 4GB) and the rest will be downloaded via steam. My question was whether the DVD part could be bypassed altogether, i.e. I never have to put the disk in to install the game?

I don't have the physical copy, but it gives you a steam code. I see no reason why they would create 2 different steam copies of FO4, and prevent one of them from downloading the first ~4-5GB

In short.. Very very likely yes.