We've known it was incoming for quite a while, and Take-Two told investors last November that the Switch version of Obsidian's action-RPG The Outer Worlds would be launching before the end of March 2020, but it has now been confirmed to arrive on 6th March, just over a month from now.
The game has been confirmed as digital-only, although you'll be able to purchase a box with a code in it, if you like that sort of thing. Here's a picture of said box provided by PR:
The game released on other platforms last year and it was port specialists Virtuos who convinced Obsidian that a Switch version was possible at all. Given Virtuos' track record and attitude to Switch, we have high hopes for the upcoming port.
The game will cost $59.99 / €59.99 / £49.99 / AU$ 89.99 when it arrives at the start of March.
Will you be downloading The Outer Worlds on Switch? Let us know below.
Comments 104
I wonder how much space this game will take up
I'll most likely still get it, but digital only is probably going to hurt sales unfortunately.
Not happy at all about this. While I'm glad we will get it a code in a box is not what I want. This might just make me change my mind on a purchase.
Digital only might be a deal breaker for me, since I'm assuming the file size is massive.
Not physical, 60 euro's, guess I'm waiting for a nice juicy discount.
@Spoony_Tech It 100% changed my mind sadly. I already beat it but was going to double dip for a physical switch version if one existed but not paying for a code in a box. Very odd decision for them. They couldn't even opt for a cart with a download required I mean come on. I would have atleast stomached that.
Having this game portability will be worth the wait. Virtuos did a really good job with Starlink and Dark Souls, I'm confident the Switch version of OW will be fine.
I was on the fence. But this is a nice way for the publisher to make the decision for me.
I still haven’t gotten the Witcher 3 yet, should be getting that around this time
That is just stupid.
I hope Limited Run Games do a physical like Divinity Original Sin 2 someday.
But in the meantime I will buy it for the PS4/Xbox One.
I was waiting for the Switch version but they decided to be cheap.
"The game has been confirmed as digital-only, although you'll be able to purchase a box with a code in it, if you like that sort of thing."
Is there anyone that likes this sort of thing? Just buy a Switch case from ebay and print a custom cover. It is much cheaper.
March 6th? screams internally
I do wish I could buy physical. I have this free via Game Pass, so $60 digital is kinda steep to me. But I really want it portable
Will be very interested to see how this holds up; hoping Digitial Foundry will cover this port in a video ^_^
Shame about lack of physical though...
Well that's a no from me. I mean I have space, but still do I really want to squander all my space because a developer doesn't feel confident about sales of their own game? I'll wait ti'll someone pumps out a physical. Ultimately it affects their sales that it is not physical. I only buy certain smaller titles on digital. I even skipped on Gunslinger and Stranger's Wrath because I just don't want to take up the space for something that should be in a cartridge.
sees digital only
Nope, sorry. That is a deal breaker for me. There are some games I can forgive being digital only. This is not one of them. I might see if I can get it for cheap on another platform. If Witcher 3 can get on a cartridge, what is this game's excuse?
Hmmm well I gave in and decided to play and finish this game on my One X with Gamepass earlier this month.
I was going to buy the Switch version on release because i really enjoyed the game and wanted to show support But seeing as there will be no physical release then it's an easy pass for me.
Welp, I'm out. I was going to double-dip and buy it on Switch, but no physical means no buy from me.
If you're gonna make it digital only then make it cheaper to compensate. Being full RRP (at a high price point too) makes this a pass for me unless it goes on sale for about half price at some point. Would have considered it day one physically.
I'm not opposed to a code in a box, there are people who like the box, and who like things digitally so they don't have to switch the carts, so it's a win-win for them, but, BUT, they have to take $5 off the price, you can't sell an empty box for $60. We all know they're cheaping out on the cart to save money on the cart, we should too. It's embarrassing.
It's not even cheaper digital, and I have to fork over the SD card space? Definite no. So far the best porter to Switch is Panic Button. I'm sure even Doom Eternal will be physical.
@Joker13z I'm in basically the same position, I was going to buy it again due to its replayability but no physical has put me off, even more so when it's full retail price too
Yep not happening now without a cart. Maybe when it’s 75% off since it’s download only. I was really excited too.... guess I’ll just be chill with Tom nook in March.
I hope this tanks so they learn their lesson of going digital only on a release like this.
Played the game on ps4 this month after I got it for Xmas. I’ll definitely rebuy it on switch but probably around summer before my yearly trip.
They shouldn’t be allowed to release empty boxes. Bad for the environment, and non functional with no game cart inside
Well... now I am torn. I really wanted to support them on this version of the game, but wasn't wanting a digital only copy.
Unfortunately, the lesson they will take from the lack of sales will be that Switch isn't a profitable platform instead of the proper lesson that cutting corners never profits you in the long run.
That's a shame. I guess I won't be picking up this one.
I'm the sort of gamer that enjoys a nice box with great art (preferably not plastic), a colour manual, a physical cartridge, and maybe a map of artbook or figurine or whatever. Not an essentially empty plastic box with a download code. So I'll download it as digital-only, when it drops below my personal digital-only price limit of €15.
@BenAV Same! I'm not buying a full retail price game with no cart and I will also now only purchase for half price sale. I will not support bad business practices.
What sad is this was a day one purchase for me as well and now I guess I will have money for the next game down the line.
No physical means I buy it for another platform !!!!
I was holding off and waiting to see if Outer Worlds was going to be physical on Switch but of course it's digital only I'm just gonna get the PlayStation version
@Mando44646 Since when is XBOX Gamepass free?
I have it on Game Pass - though I am looking forward to the inevitable Digital Foundry analysis.
I'm pretty much digital only on switch so that doesn't really bother me. As long as it's got stable fps I'm definitely buying.
I guess they weren't fully convinced for which is why there will be no cart. How disappointing. I was looking forward to this release as well.
@sanderev I get it for free.
It = Game Pass Ultimate.
I would be fine with a partial download but a code is a Definite no thank you. I will probably get it on pc at a discount some day (they don't deserve full price anywhere anymore)
Digital only, means I won't be buying it.
Glad they finally nailed down a date. Although, before I commit to a purchase, I want to see undocked footage first. If it only performs well on a TV, I might as well buy it on my PS4.
Pity about the retail release, but this is pretty standard for big third-party games on Switch at this point. Not every company is CDProjektRed and willing to pay out for expensive physical media to benefit the consumer.
Wow. Way to cheap out Take-Two.
@Sawdy
Maybe they couldn't fit the game on the cartridge. You shouldn't wish that a game flops because you can't handle not having a microscopic cartridge in your collection.
I would forgive the lack of physical if the price was reasonable. No chance at $60. That's gross.
I was really excited for this. It was the game I was waiting for. I have a PS and xbox, I had the chance to buy and play this game (which has already been on sale on those consoles), but didn't because I was waiting for this version.
I think I may just pick up Metro instead, since they are committing to the Switch release far better.
Guess I'll grab the PS4 version after all for 10-20 quid.
Aww, that really sucks. Maybe I ought to go for the PS4 version after all.
Nooo! I was really looking forward to this game but I'm getting sick of these digital only versions sigh.
I’ll get it... at 30$
That's a bummer about digital only. Both my hubby & I were interested in playing this and we like to buy our 3rd party games on Switch whenever possible to help add to the stats that there's an appetite for such games on Nintendo hardware. And we would have shared the game card but being digital only, I guess we could still buy it but won't be day 1 for us. Will wait for a sale on the eShop, and also March is already going to be busy with Animal Crossing.
What? who would release a game like this without a real physical version? It's the perfect example of a game I want to be able to take out from my shelf every 5 years and play again taking a different path through the story. It will probably be fantastic and I really really appreciate it has been brought to the Switch, but right now I really hope someone will do a real release. I'd gladly pay at least 10-20€ more for one.
I don’t mean to really crap on this port, but seeing as this would be my only way to play Outer Worlds this is a big let down. I simply just don’t have the space for it right now.
@rjejr I don't understand this logic. Would you pay $5 for a Switch cart with no game on it? The price is for the game, not the various pieces of plastic/paper that may or may not come with it.
Still haven’t played this one yet. Was 40 bucks a while back during a PS sale, but I know physical copies are floating around for less. If I don’t get it on PS4 and they drop the price to around 30 bucks digitally on Switch, I’ll bite.
And I'm out! Ps4 it is.
Digital only? See you in 2023 when it's reduced to £5 then.
No Cart no buy
Cool, I will wait on port impressions but so long as they are A-OK I'll be getting this. Not bothered by the price.
Oh come on. We were so close
@PringleMuffin They don't have to fit the whole thing. They could do part of it as a download like some other large games. And I find that hard to believe if Witcher 3 fit everything on the cart including dlcs. Also you don't know me or why I buy physical. I have OCD to the point where i have to constantly reformat my switch due to compulsive thoughts. Therefore if I buy anything digital I lose it. Trust me I've lost thousands worth of games over my life from reformatting all my other systems (I'm 37). So it's not about having a microscopic cartridge in my collection. It was about wanting this for my switch and the dev's decided to cheap out and go digital only to make more money. So I will stick to my guns here and say I hope it flops so in the future they consider physical instead of a cash grab.
I guess ill have to see how big the file size is and all that. I'm interested for sure, but now I'm on the fence.
@PringleMuffin it's ether 20GB or less and that isn't too much of an issue to get onto a cartridge
@BarefootBowser You mean similar to how 'Cuphead' and 'Ori and The Blind Forest' are exclusive Microsoft titles? Because it appears that ship has sailed at Microsoft.
Last I saw 40% of Switch owners have a second console, and I would guess that doesn't count the number with a PC. So a significant portion of the potential sales have access to a physical copy or a significantly cheaper version of the game (without performance hits). This is a foolish and purely profit based decision that will hurt sales.
This is akin to EA releasing Mass Effect 3: Special Edition for Wii U in the same month they release Mass Effect Trilogy for everyone else, and then pointing to lackluster sales as an excuse to stop supporting the console. Consumers are not stupid, and companies that treat them as such do so at their own risk.
Played it on PC Game Pass at launch.
Liked it at start, but did not hold my attention. Still installed but not played it in a while.
Glad I did not pay $60 for it - do not care if only digital, just feel it is a bit "meh". I have DOOM, Nioh2 and Fairy Tail in March. That month is covered anyway.
Dang. This is one of those games that easily lends itself to physical. I still want to play it though so I might suffer through digital to play it on Switch.
@Mando44646 Game Pass on Xbox?... join the streaming preview
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-streaming/console-streaming
I do not have an Xbox. But been using the Project xCloud (Preview) to play Madden and FORZA on the GO during my longer work trips (has crosssave with PC version)
It works really well over my Tmobile network. Even on the Bus to Boston.
And just like that this port goes directly to my 'never going to buy' list alongside Overwatch and Wolfenstein Youngblood. Granted I already got it on PC but was waiting for a second dip on the portable physical version in cartridge form, no cartridge version, no buy. Sorry Virtuos and Obsidian, I just can't stand the no physical support on Switch especially when the other versions got their physical treatment. It's too bad too cause this is one of those games where I want to come back to many years from now.
Time to manage your storage space.
This game is terrible as a shooter. It holds nothing to borderlands or Mass effect or any shooter game period. The the graphics are mehhh and enemies are sponges with sponges it is so bad and the story is just blehhh. I'm glad I tried it with game pass before I bought it. Saved me 60 bucks thankfully.
@Dirty0814 Yep... 100% with you on all of that.
Those $60 I saved just payed my PC Game Pass subscription for the year.
$50 bucks says after the sales level off they release a digital version. This is the trend with most games to increase sales by causing double-dipping.
I put off a PC purchase to wait for a physical cartridge, I am not buying this digital on my Nintendo switch, kinda disappointed about this but oh well, they still get my money, just not for their hard work on the Nintendo.
Also putting an empty box on a shelf with a code inside is a gross waste of funds, not damaging, but wasteful.
I'd rather just download and install onto an SD card on the PC, then put it in a box.
@Agramonte I know right. I myself stocked up with live gold for two years 9 months while they were on sale then did the game pass for $1 for three month deal to max out my limit and had it all converted over to game pass. I saved well over 360 bucks that way but with game pass it will allow me to play games and try them as they add newer games to it instead of relying on reviews and videos which I find both to be very inaccurate for everything.
@Agramonte I need to try xCloud. Outer Worlds isn't on the list of cloud streaming games, but I should try getting it from my home XBO
@sanderev I said that I have the game free with Game Pass. Not that Game Pass as a service is free.
Same as saying the NES games on Switch are free...if one pays for NSO
No biggie for me, I have a memory card big enough. I could have bought this on PS4 but I want to play this on the go. 95% of my purchases are digital these days anyway
@Spoony_Tech you do realize it is very expensive for smaller companies to afford producing switch cartridges as they are harder to develop with and more expensive than cd's. It bothers me when ppl are ready to hate on a game when they havent played it or its digital only. Smaller companies like obsidian, indie developers ( House House, Team Cherry, etc.) Dont have the funds to sell it on cartridges. Also it is a high risk move when you're game isnt as popular as a nintendo game or other triple a company
@Sawdy
I'd like to see Nintendo tank for doing stupid overpriced carts in the first place.
they didn't learn back when they completely shot their feet off with the n64 cart debacle leading up to sony's dominance. Worst. Company. Ever. They NEVER learn. What's the definition of insanity? Nintendo.
@PickledKong64 I realize I get a say in how I spend my money and a game that was released 3 months or so ago not getting a physical cart release is bad business. If they were worried about sales before now they will have a right to be worried and will probably say we told you it wouldn't sell on the Switch. Glad we saved money....
Plus this is not an indie priced game. Had they gone the Wolfenstein Youngblood route and charged half then maybe I'm not complaining. I as a consumer I expect all $60 priced games to have a physical copy no matter how big or small your studio is.
@GamingFan4Lyf lucky you, but I still have to pay for Gamepass ultimate and I don't see a free option on the MS website.
@Mando44646 The game on Switch is also free, as long as you pay to download it from the eShop.
What the heck Microsoft?! If I’m just going to download it I’ll get it on xbox.
@sword_9mm I thought the publishers set the price of their games, not Nintendo?
@idrawrobots Not Microsoft's call, it isn't the publisher of this title. Microsoft bought the company after publishing had been secured for The Outer Worlds.
Regardless, buying a game box with a download code is just silly.
@Sawdy
Sure but if you need a cartridge you have to bake in whatever that costs.
A ps4 disc; 10cents, a Switch cart; maybe 5$ or more. I can't find a rundown if N ever released what they're charging for the stupid things.
Could also be that N takes a bigger cut than sony/ms as well so devs go digital since they're getting less on the sale. Why add an expensive plastic fob to the price?
Non-physical sucks! Was interested, but don't know now.
@Shadowkiller97 "Would you pay $5 for a Switch cart with no game on it?"
I'm guessing that's about the going rate Nintneod charges 3rd parties for the carts though I coudl be off by a lot, had to guess something.
You may have already knew that, I didn't see the emoji until after I got here.
Digital only? Guess I'll just buy it cheaper on PS4 towards the end of the year when it costs like £4
@BarefootBowser Obsidian and Take-Two should be concerned because gamers have very long memories, and while it might not directly hurt them financially it will damage their reputation. The road to being included in the likes of "EA", "Activision", "Epic Games Store", or "Konami" in the general video game population is not long or difficult to get on.
Yeah at the end of the day it doesn't necessarily effect the bottom line now, but bad reputation and general perception on the other hand is difficult to recover from.
Digital only and the price means I'll be waiting for at least a 50% off sale.
Another game on my watch list that I'm striking off and not going to buy, because it's not physical.
Also, download code in a box is an absolute disgrace.
As for cartridges costing more than disks to produce? Just add the cost of the cartridge to the overall price of the game if it's that much of an issue. If I want to buy the game, another couple of pounds, or whatever, really isn't going to stop me from doing so. Bullsh*t like 'code in a box' will though.
@gcunit You will never see the game at that price. AAA games like Skyrim , Wolfenstein New Order, Diablo 3 are still $60 years later. They had temporary $30 sales but they have gone back up to that $60 .
@Dman10 I believe that he's located in the UK. I seem to recall that game shops there quickly drop the prices on stuff that don't sell, and don't really care what the RRP or MSRP set by the manufacturer.
We'll have to see how desperate I am for a new big game. If I'm bored enough with my game library, I'll suck up the $60 for digital only.
It will be interesting to see if Outer Worlds will push past the 32 GB envelope that game companies have been too scared to breach. (since there's only been a couple games around that size so far).
@Dman10 And that is why I have physical versions of Skyrim and Diablo, and Wolfenstein can get ****ed.
@60pop Digital - I'll go right ahead with Witcher 3 without problems.
I buy both physical & digital copies.
This doesn't make a difference to me, if I get the game it will likely be digital anyway. The price isn't what will prevent me from getting it at launch though. Definitely want to wait to see how it performs first, that's the biggest factor.
Digital only is LAME but that's the way of things. I'm not one to pass up a cool looking game because there is no physical option.
Even if all of us who prefer physical flat refused to buy digital ever it would not change things. But I respect those who choose not to do it anyway, it's your choice.
If/when gaming starts pushing toward cloud only, that's where I draw the line. I will not do cloud gaming. There are decades of older games I can enjoy, I'll never want for more games if/when that transition happens.
I was interested, but not digital. I’ll consider it if it ever drops to $20 or gets a physical release. I’m not dying on a hill of physical only, but digital games just don’t have much value to me, and I think the super cheap games in literally every digital storefront show I’m not the only one.
It's already half this price and physical on other platforms, why even bother
@BarefootBowser So your counter points are remasters and movie tie-in franchises with huge fanbases (sort of like arguing Madden is a good game because it sells while ignoring it is the only real football game in town) to show those companies are not poo storms of customer reputation?
Activision had a 15% sales decrease last year and just announced a controversial EULA that takes copyright away from mod creators (who help keep their games popular). EA was only saved by Star Wars fans at Christmas, but has been struggling as more players move to mobile/F2P games. Konami is hard to read because they have their hands in a lot of industries, but Epic is dealing with Fortnite revenue declining 25% in the last quarter.
@BarefootBowser Microsoft doesn't make exclusive games, they stopped that in 2015. Every game they make is automatically on two platforms minimum, making every game they make multiplatform. Saying "console" or "Microsoft" before exclusive does nothing to change the facts that it's a multiplatform game.
@Mando44646 Gamepass isn't free, you're continually paying for the game. Trying to separate the service from the game means nothing, YOU'RE STILL PAYING. Imagine paying every month for a game you've already stopped playing, because that's Gamepass. Easily the most anti-consumer service introduced since Xbox Live by the worst company in gaming, Microsoft.
Whelp, add this to Alien Isolation and GRID as games I’m passing on despite interest.
How is the port though? I still don't think we've see any Switch game play footage. Even digital only, I'd rather have it on Switch for handheld mode and gyro aiming. Unless the port is bad in which case I'll buy it on PS4 for $30.
@Spoony_Tech you also have the right as a consumer not to buy it. Look at you acting high and mighty lol. If you really want to play the game buy the digital lol. Theirs no reasoning with your kind
As of right now I cancelled all and any of this game PreOrdered. No Cart no buy they can shove it up their hines.
Here's the thing they charge you $60 for a digital only game. I can buy the OverWatch from Japan Physical option. So tell me again this can't be done?
The game is about 37GB on PS4/One, so they easily could have fit it on a 32GB or even 16GB cartridge after factoring in the downscaling of assets. This is just shameless greed at play on the publisher's part.
If they had to add $10 to the price, so be it, but to release a code-in-a-case at full price is so insulting and wasteful.
@sword_9mm : Blu-rays don't cost 10c and cartridges don't cost $5 (with the latter, there is a lot of variance due to all of the capacities that are available).
Flash storage prices are plummetting while Blu-ray disc costs have more or less plateaued as CDs and DVDs have for years now. Blu-ray is still cheaper relative to their storage capacity, but flash storage is nowhere near as expensive as laypeople claim they are, especially as Switch cartridges are read-only.
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