LogInThe news of Alan Wake 2's digital-only release left many fans who had eagerly anticipated its launch contemplating whether or not to skip the game altogether.
At the PlayStation Showcase 2023, Remedy unveiled a new trailer for Alan Wake 2 and announced that the game is set to release on October 17, 2023.
In a follow-up announcement shortly after the trailer's debut, Remedy revealed that Alan Wake 2 will be exclusively available as a digital release meaning that there won't be any physical editions of the game, including for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Remedy explained that this decision was based on multiple reasons. Firstly, it mentioned the significant shift towards digital-only consumption by a large portion of gamers, pointing out that the availability of disc-less options such as the Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series S digital-only console further supports this trend.
Additionally, Remedy stated that opting for a digital-only release helps avoid the costs that physical production and distribution demand and that due to this, it can offer the game at $59.99 / €59.99 for consoles and $49.99 / €49.99 for the PC version.
Lastly, the developer explained that releasing a disc version of the game that still required additional downloads would not provide an optimal user experience.
However, the announcement received a mixed response from players, with some expressing disappointment. Many fans said they had eagerly anticipated the release of Alan Wake 2 but the news of its digital-only launch made them contemplate whether to skip the game altogether.
Others said that they initially planned to purchase the game upon its release but now intend to wait until it becomes available at a significantly discounted price. Meanwhile, some players even expressed their hesitation to buy games in digital form, as they perceive physical discs to be more reliable and safer in the long run.
What's your take on the news of Alan Wake 2's digital-only release? Would it restrain you from purchasing the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.