SteamWorld Dig 2 Is Getting A Physical Release With Extra Goodies

Hoping people will dig in for a second go. I'm repeating myself here but these physical editions should be announced before the game releases. That's nice boxart, compared to Nintendo ruining the SteamWorld Collection on Wii U with their terrible Nintendo eShop Selects branding.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE? Probably not me, the first game wasn't that interesting. Though I hear the second is much better.

Hmmmm, If it was an Image and Forms collection I would be for sure. Depends on price I guess

@SLIGEACH_EIRE - Agreed but the retail store market (at least in NA) is very demanding of proof that your game can sell on their shelves first and foremost. Publishers also want to see these very same numbers for the very same reason.

why not a steamworld collection instead?

Looks like I will be double digging this one.

Oh come on! This practice needs to end!! Why do we get physical after the digital? WHY?!!

I'd be all over this if it also included the first Steamworld Dig (or even better, both Dig and Heist), but since I already have Dig 2 as a download on the Switch, I'll probably pass.

That's great, unless you already paid for a digital copy.

I much prefer physical copies of games but I can't justify buying the same game twice. Buy this one, and later they announce a SteamWorld collection? I concur with what was said above, these plans should be announced much earlier.

Any news on the 3DS version?

Does it have a release date? I'm guessing it will either be a PS+ game or on sale for $5 on PSN that month.

A few months back people were talking about Sony taking notice of Switch, and people were saying Sony was going to copy Nintnedo and make a hybrid now. Well I don't think that's exactly what Sony meant by "taking notice". Taking notice can mean many different things. For instance, timing late multiplat ports on Switch - Yooka Layelee, Rime - w/ sales on PSN. Not every game, but I've noticed the pattern long before Rime.

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/12/we_cant_ignore_the_switch_says_sonys_head_of_corporate_planning

Now once Switch catches up and games start getting simultaneous releases instead of staggered ones months later that tactic will be limited, but you can bet I'm taking advantage of it now while I can.

Oh, I got the first Steamworld Dig in the Nindie Humble Bundle for $1, it was better than I expected. I'll play this one eventually, no rush.

It is good to see so many Indie games getting physical releases, in part b/c the non-indie physical releases are few and far between at the moment. It is the slow season of winter, so that's to be expected somewhat, but on Switch it seems particularly slow, no matter how many more games Switch has than Wii U. Wii U was known for poor 3rd party support, not a great comparison.

So, Switch tax on the cart? Though all physical media really should be more than digital - manufacturing, shipping, retailer share - but that's never how it works.

"additional exclusive items"

If SD1 isn't on the cart or a free digital download they are doing it wrong.

Can we get a link to the announcement?

I've held off buying this (and Golf Story) for the physical versions, will definitely be grabbing this one, loved the first.

Bought it digital...I'm good.

Officially the last digital game I will ever buy until there is absolutely no chance of a physical release. These physical releases should be announced at the same time as the digital! Also, I will be mega vexed if they do a complete collection somewhere down the line.

There should be some sort of service like with Sky, or a code like inside Blu-rays, when you get digital you get physical and vice-versa. Scamming beggars!

I should stop buying any new game in the eshop. This „practice“ is just lame. Of course we all want a physical release but not a year later. But they probably finance that cartridge with the digital sales. Oh well then.

Been meaning to get this. Got the first one on ps plus never played it though. Hopefully we get a release date soon

Did see that coming. Considering the first two games got a physical release on Wii U...

I'm glad I waited.

Anyway, they need to stop releasing digital games with the retail version in mind but unannounced. People deserve to be able to choose with all the information since day one.

If there was a physical 3DS version then yes. But seeing as that's too much asked from those morons I'll be skipping this one.

@Timsworld Yes, insulting them with name-calling for not releasing on a low resolution system that is also evidently dying is the best way to go about this.

It's dumb to not bring the whole 3 game collection physically and charge a little more.

@Fuz It's almost like they know some of us will buy it twice because we collect physical games -_-...I've gotten in the habit of not buying eShop games that I think will get a physical release like Stardew Valley. But that's just me as I don't really mind waiting months, even years to play most games.

I agree with those who are annoyed. I think I’m done buying eShop games close to release. I’d much prefer a physical copy of all games and I’m going to hold out until there is zero chance of physical from now on - especially for larger games (Rocket League, NITW).

The fact that this isn’t a 3 game collection is also lame.

@justin233 I've stopped buying eShop games above $15 for this reason. I'm banking on Celeste getting a retail release too.

Woot! I'm so glad I waited after they said this might happen. I ALMOST bit the bullet and bought, so this is perfect timing. This is a game that wants to be physical. I suppose for digital I might as well get Heist now. Still waiting for Yooka. I can't imagine there's no physical coming for that.

Fortunately I&F DID originally say they were looking into a retail release. They didn't have anything ironed out or confirmed, but they at least told us they were seriously looking into it, which is why I made my decision to wait....glad I did! But I do think we need a little better system for indies going physical. I'd have bought Wonder Boy physical as well. Would buy Yooka as well if they did it.

Kind of stinks with a lot of indies that we get the launch, buy in, and then months later find out there's a physical edition with extras. We need to know our options in advance. They may benefit for now from the double dipping, but the early days of an empty switch eshop are over and they've now created the net effect of many of us NOT buying at launch now to indefinitely wait, which risks losing the sale entirely as competing games come out. Get those physical preorders lined up on LAUNCH day.

I get it, they can't secure the print publishing contract without proof from early sales it's worth it....but this solution isn't going to help as we all hold off on buying bigger digital games while we wait.

This was sadly inevitable, which is why I held out. I've got the Wii U collection (which I wouldn't double dip on anyway), so I'll pick this up to go with it if the price is right.

@HauntingNostrils I was thinking about the "UltraViolet" codes just yesterday. I want that system too though that means 2 copies with every copy. They'd have to sell a "premium physical" version...$60 for the physical game, $85 for physical+digital code or something. OTOH it would be good incentive against second hand sales which they'd love to destroy....you wouldn't save as much since buying new nets you 2 copies, and then used would be flooded with cheap sales...which...maybe is the problem.

Just finished the original Steamworld Dig the other day for the first time. I'll hold off on the sequel until I can get the physical version. Perfect timing for this announcement, really.

I bought Steamworld Dig 2 on the eShop like many of you..and I'm torn. I have a ridiculous library of physical titles. However, as others are saying, creating a situation where people don't know whether or not to buy isn't great for anyone.

My problem with the physical release is that it will cost more than twice as much as the eShop version, because of the "Switch tax". Yes, I will pick it up (simply because availability will be scarce later on if I change my mind,) but I won't be 100% happy about it.

I'm glad I only buy indies digitally. Otherwise the staggered releases would irritate me.
I am mostly digital now except for a few big titles like SMO, BotW, etc.

@Timsworld No need to be so rude. They are under no obligation to make a 3DS version and not doing so doesn't make them morons.

And the release date?

I would have waited if I had known or thought that there would be a physical version as I much prefer physical versions over downloading games and I really dont understand why downloads costs the same as physical I think you should be given a discount if you download a game your not getting a case or sleeve or even a manual all which are added in the cost of making a physical version I think we are crazy for paying full price for a download if there is a physical version., That said Steamworld 2 physical should add Steamworld 1 on same game card that would be awesome and an instant buy.

@Shiryu haha I see what you dig there 😁

I'll buy it, but I'm officially done buying digital games now. This is the last straw.

From now on I wait for physical, and set the money aside. At the end of the generation, whatever games didn't get a retail release, I'll pick up then.

I'm done being dragged through the ringer. Done buying every game twice. Sorry indies, you did it to yourself. Physical day one or no buy

Good thing I didn't buy the digital release. It really depends on the pricing though.

I'm yet to pick this up but will probably go PS4 for the Trophy's.

The whole, we released a digital game last year, now theres a hard copy thing is really annoying. I'd buy hard copy every time if I could do it first.
I imagine theres gonna be a SteamWorld Dig 1 and SteamWorld Heist colletion hrad copy for Switch at some point so Im trying to hold out for that, Honestly they should have just made collection of all three for Switch, duh.

I had a good feeling this was going to happen. So happy I waited! Physical indie games are awesome to have in the collection. After announcements of Darkest Dungeon, and Brawlout of all things, getting physicals, I'm pleased to see "bigger" games (IMO) get similar treatment. That said, this "practice" is rather frustrating. I'm still waiting for physical Stardew Valley which I don't think has any reason to not be physical.

I much prefer physical to download. Especially since indie games seem to be bringing back the full colour manuals (as "bonus items"...) that I loved so much in the past.

Surprised it doesn't include the original too. Anyway I already picked this up on the eShop around when it came out so I'll be passing on this. I have heard people on their twitter saying they will only buy if it is released physical though, so it's good.

I knew it!! Happened on PS4 and I was burned! Purposely didn’t download the Switch version for this very reason!! Physical forever!

@JaxonH I agree with you 300%!! It’s ridiculous! I was burned on PS4 version so I saw this coming! And as far as the “goodies” being added, those should be Heist along with 1&2 all on the same card! Plenty of room!! 👍

Just wait till Limited Run gets rolling!!

I've no interest in paying $30 for a $15 indie game just so I can have a plastic box and game card and the inconvenience of swapping out cards.

For me, this is the best way for indies to go about it. Releasing their games digitally and physically at the same time usually means the digital price is hiked up for the sake of parity. This was the case for many indie games last year so I'm glad to see it not continuing this year.

It's been said, but I am gonna say it again. They should announce these physical releases when they release the game. Many people still prefer physical but don't want to just hope we will get it...

I’m always surprised by how pumped these physical releases get everybody. I wouldn’t trade the convenience of all-digital for anything.

The bonus physical content is always cool though.

@JaxonH Nobody dragged you through the ringer, and nobody has forced you to buy a game twice. If you've ever done so it's because you decided it was worth it to you to have a physical case on your shelf with a physical cartridge inside. I get preferring physical, and I get holding off when there's a chance it will happen; but the claim that you've been mistreated is laughable.

I’m puzzled... why isn’t this a four-game collection? All SteamWorld games on one card for €60/$60 would make more financial sense for the developer, and for the customers, as this will likely cost about double of the downloadable version.

@NEStalgia and the rest of you awesome peeps:

Thanks for seeing both sides of this! Always reassuring when somebody takes a moment to consider why things are the way they are. As a way of thanks, here's a bit of insight on how things work for us: we rarely plan physical releases before we are done developing our games. If we had to take physical into account and release digital and physical simultaneously, we'd have to wait for the physical versions to be manufactured, transported and stocked on shelves. With SWD2, we were done in August and could release digitally in September = in time for the holidays (typically a clever move, looking at consumer behaviour). Starting on the "physical process" then would have pushed release to January (stores don't like to buy inventory in Nov-Dec). We could have been done sooner, which would have meant that we'd have to (a) spend less time making the games = they wouldn't be as good, (b) spend less time testing the games = they wouldn't be as reliable.

We also could have promised a physical version in September, which not only would have presented us with both (a) and (b) above, but also a huge commitment and risk. Why are so many publishers in trouble when their games come out? Why aren't games perfect from the start? Publishers typically commit to a lot of things long before the games are ready. We like to make sure our games are nothing short of fantastic before we release them. Much like Nintendo. The small difference between us and Big N is that while they've got a mountain of cash in the bank, we pour all our money back into making the next game. We need to release when the games are done. We could instead try to hike our prices significantly to give ourselves more elbow room, but that's a whole different type of source for irritation...

We make a living from making great games, regardless of distribution medium. Hope we can agree that the quality of the games takes precedence. We'll always release digitally, and if we can, we'll also release boxed versions. But now you know why we can't promise to do it simultaneously. Thanks for reading all of this, I think it's a very interesting topic and will gladly discuss it more, so feel free to send more questions here as well. /Brjann

@NEStalgia It's a difficult one to get around, I agree, and I can't say I have a solution, but I can say without doubt that we need one.

@PanurgeJr
Not true. It preys on the collectible mindset of fans and it's an intentional tactic to capitalize on as many digital sales as possible and then follow up with physical knowing good and well people will double dip.

It's sleazy.

@imgrowinglegs I feel the same way it sounds stupid but the convenience of not having to switch carts is huge. I do all digital and all Nintendo made games physical. I really don’t understand the different besides collecting physical games. Isn’t downloading the game on a sd card the same is having it physical? The only thing different is if I delete the game and they take it of the eshop or close down the ehop I would lose the game. But if I never delete the game won’t I own it as long as anyone with a physical copy?

@Mikess1 My thoughts on that are simple. If I pay for and download a game, but I later lose access to it....I’m gonna pirate it.

Or I’ll just forget all about it and move on with my life. That’s what usually happens.

I don’t advocate piracy, but sometimes it makes sense.

@imageform Wow, this is amazing to actually get a thread response from the actual developers, along with greater insight into the process! Thanks for taking the time to read our responses and chiming in as well!

I also greatly appreciate that you guys made it a point to note from the onset that physical was a strong possibility. Even if it wasn't certain that definitely gave a signal to myself and I'm sure others that that's something worth waiting on. Many devs either don't say it, or aren't really as committed to exploring the option at the start, and that leaves a sour taste for early purchasers. With Dig 2, at least those that paid attention early knew it might be worth holding out.

Not a perfect system...but at least it's one of the best examples. I still would love to see a better solution for the industry. The realities of publishing physically raise lots of problems that you noted. But from the consumer angle, it does raise that problem, for the "real" games...the bigger downloadables like Dig 2 and Heist that easily make a full retail game. If you buy in early despite preferring physical, you get burned when physical really releases. If you always hold off and wait to see if physical will happen, it may or may not happen, and you may end up moving on and not buying the game long term, which then hurts the game overall, and the funding to print digital to begin with. It's kind of a viscous circle. (Then there's the third path that the majors, EA, Ubi, 2K etc are so fond of: Stamp the discs and distribute them, and THEN make the game after people buy it......as consumers, we're not so fond of that one either.... )

Maybe the only solution is just an extension of what you already did with Dig 2, but more formal where studios are more direct about the likelihood and timing of a physical release around launch. Most can easily understand nothing is certain and budgets are tight, but it gives those following physical a greater idea of what to expect. Devs don't want to lose early digital sales, but I imagine you're as fond of physical releases as fans. That retail presence elevates Dig 2 from "indie digital budget game" to "equal along side FIFA 18, Mario, and Skyrim", so both sides have a solid stake in the success of physical. I came close to giving up on physical Dig 2 and buying digital just a week ago! I held off assuming it will eventually go on sale at least, if physical never actually happens. But the physical announcement turned it from "just be patient and wait for inevitable sale" to "full price pre-order."

Heck I think most dedicated game enthusiasts would be elated to have a TOTAL industry shift, not just from tiny to mid tier indies but all they way up through the majors to have digital releases as an "early access" situation, followed by deferred physical releases after the game is established and patched up. It would solve the AAA problem of half completed games on disc and a 20+gb patch to make it actually work, AND solve the release timing issues for the smaller studios like yourselves. We've already moved into a state where buying AAA titles before the near-certain "GOTY" edition with the multiple DLC packs and season passes and whatnot are included as they should have been at the start seems a poorer and poorer choice, so the deferred physical release model doesn't seem as negative as it might have a few years ago.

@JaxonH Your conspiracy-theory-laden "explanation" makes your claims even more laughable.

I guarantee you that a physical release is a luxury all console developers wish they could afford from the outset, but the reality is that video game development is risky, and an independent studio with limited cash flow has limits to the risks it can take on.

Of course, there's no reason you should believe a word I've said. I've never developed or published a single game, after all. But then again, I'm betting that neither have you. So maybe you should read the explanation given by @imageform before you declare their practices sleazy and preying on the alleged collectible-oriented mindset of gamers.

@imgrowinglegs The more I think about it, the more I'm coming around to that way of thinking.

I've always preferred physical to digital for two reasons. One, I do have a penchant for collecting things. The number of limited editions of games that I've bought, the number of amiibo that I own, the number of game magazines that I archived instead of discarding would all attest to that. Two, I prefer to own the content I consume. When I want to read a book I buy it instead of using my library card. I buy anime instead of subscribing to a streaming service. And so on.

As to the first reason, when you buy physical, you get a box, and a cart that has one game instead of an SD card with many; hardly interesting collectibles.

As to the second, well, it's a false argument. If the game were stored in a cloud that could be shut down at any time, then yes, digital would be buying something that you don't own. But once you download a game, it's code on a card that remains yours until you delete it or, if you can't delete it, just throw it away. Either way you own it. Either way the card might fail or the system might, but the physical cart isn't any more permanent. (Similarly a real book will eventually break down, just like an ebook, even though it will take longer. The difference in survivability is a point in physical's favor in this case; for video games, where no paper is involved, the difference is much smaller, to the point of not mattering.)

Video games are inherently digital, ones and zeros stored in memory, unlike books, or even DVDs, which have a more physical method of storing the ones and zeros than digital copies on a hard drive; which renders the physical/digital debate utterly pointless.

Of course, I'll still buy physical when possible. Habits are hard to break, and I like having full bookcases.

@PanurgeJr

Yeah it is sleazy. They released a physical release before. I don't want to hear this nonsense about these poor little indie devs can't afford it.

That's nonsense.

It's no different than rocket league. I suppose those poor little indie devs can't afford it either. Give me a break. If you want to go be argumentative do it elsewhere man. I'm really running out of patience for people who just want to argue. Unless you plan on taking on the entire Internet for the rest of your life I suggest you learn to except dealing with people who have thoughts beliefs and opinions different than yours.

It's sleazy.

@JaxonH Whether you use the Ignore function or not is up to you, but to keep responding to someone you claim is harassing you doesn't help anyone apart from the person enjoying getting a rise out of you. Stop responding, you're wasting everyone's time.