Physical version available or digital only?

I'm hoping for a physical release too, at least a box anyway. I know many PC gamers are not bothered by digital download only, but for something like this, not having an actual box to add to my collection, just wouldn't seem right. It would be nice if they made the steel box available that comes with the collectors edition, but sold separately, so here's hoping.

Well, been over a month now and I didn't spot any BioWare or EA staff drop that info I was after, but alot of the other comments got the headmeat thinkin so much obliged gents. 🙂

Not surprised but just disappointed I'd prefer to swap a few BD/DVD's around and install it (as I did with the the original ME1/2/3.) - instead of sitting there for a few days with mediocre Auzzie download speeds to grab it all digital.

Ah well. 😞

Here's to hoping they keep true to the source material and not censor anything~

For the Xbox One/Series X/Series S and for the PlayStation 4/5 there will be physical copies and digital copies. The details of the physical copies beyond that is scarce right now. I don't know how large the game is on consoles (meaning how many discs it will have). On the PC version on STEAM, the total hard drive space needed is 120 GB, I cannot find any information on Xbox or PlayStation's websites to determine size. If this is the same for consoles, then it will need 3 Dual layer Blu-ray discs to work on the Consoles. Either they will decrease the size on consoles, or they will use a Blu-ray XL or 4K Blu-ray disc for it.

As far as PC is concerned. I have not heard anything as to whether or not there will be a Physical copy. Judging by the size factor (120 GB) and the current market, I am guessing that a physical copy will not be available on the PC. Most computers nowadays are foregoing optical disc drives in order to leave more room for other components. Even when optical drives were still common on computers, most were not Blu-ray drives, but rather DVD drives. Yes, you still can purchase external Blu-ray drives for around $100 now, the amount of people who have those on PCs today is a lot less on Console, so it does not seem economically feasible for them to do physical copies for the PC.

Perhaps in the international market (where internet speeds are variable) there will be physical copies available, but in the US market, I just don't see it.

@TheRealMarsupio 

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TheRealMarsupio wrote:

Perhaps in the international market (where internet speeds are variable) there will be physical copies available, but in the US market, I just don't see it.

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I think internet speeds are variable in the US as well. 😉

@Dawezy For the question, yes it will be digital only on PC for most parts of the world if not all.
That is standard by now for big EA games (And most other Studios.) for exactly the reasons  @TheRealMarsupio  pointed out.

There are way to few Pc's having a Blu-ray disc drive build in to make physical copies a economically sound option.

I have at home PC physical/retail Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Mass Effect: Andromeda and Mass Effect Trilogy. I want to complete the collection with Mass Effect: Legendary Edition retail/physical for PC. Please produce a physical copy for us. There are plenty people who collect them.

Just make pc retail/physical edtion with download code, like u did for games like it takes two, fifa 21, star wars squadrons

@JuliaPeroxid 

The only way to get a physical box of the game itm is the "Collectors Edition" that is sold directly by Bioware only afaik.

The box does not contain the game, and Shipping costs outside the US are very high.  

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@JuliaPeroxid wrote:

Just make pc retail/physical edtion with download code, like u did for games like it takes two, fifa 21, star wars squadrons

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So it's really the box you want? 🤔

same here i would love to get it like that too, the box with the CD key inside and it could even heave a DVD with Origins installer or someting for display its great to heave it.

1. Buy the digital edition.

2. Print a liner, pop it in a box.

Job done.

Is that any less 'real' than buying an official empty box with a download code?

I realise I'm teasing a little, but personally I've found that collecting things when there is actually no functional need can become problematic and I find the current trend in selling empty boxes very curious. I don't really understand empty steel books either, is it nostalgia for boxed games? I had a VHS collection 'back in the day' and now it's all better quality digitally or on streaming. Those tapes are long in a dumpster. 😉