Apparently there’s nothing inside (pic: Xbox)



The retail version of Xbox exclusive Redfall isn’t really a physical edition at all, as there’s nothing in the box except a download code.



The reason PlayStation versions of games always outsell Xbox, when it comes to multiformat games in the retail charts , is not just because there are more PlayStation consoles in circulation but because Xbox owners in general prefer to buy digitally a lot more than anyone else.



It’s not clear exactly why this should be but Microsoft appears to be leaning into the phenomenon with the release of vampire game Redfall , with what seems to be the first physical version of a game where the only physical object is the piece of card with the download code printed on it.



The Bethesda support website for the game clearly states that: ‘The code contained in the physical PC copies of Redfall are Steam codes. The physical Xbox copies of Redfall are Xbox Play Anywhere codes which can played on both the Xbox Series X/S and the Microsoft Xbox App on PC.’



Redfall is due out on May 2 and it may well be that this becomes standard policy for first party Xbox games in the future, since there’s nothing about the game itself which suggests it needs special treatment.



Although Redfall has already caused controversy because it requires a permanent internet connection to run, even when you’re playing it solely on your own.



You’d think Microsoft, of all companies, would have learnt not to push always-online games, especially those that you then can’t sell second-hand, as those polices are precisely why the launch of the Xbox One was such a disaster.



Not only that but Microsoft has often talked about the importance of game preservation, and yet once the servers of Redfall are switched off it will become impossible to play the game at all.







In possibly related news, it was recently reported that Xbox discs will no longer be manufactured or distributed in Brazil, where the disc drive-less Xbox Series S is by far the most popular model of hardware.



The change will supposed come into place with February titles such as Hogwarts Legacy and Like A Dragon: Ishin!



Although Microsoft has been the first to insist that consoles are not going anywhere, even with the rise of streaming, physical media itself may be a different matter…









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MORE : Redfall needs a permanent Internet connection even in single-player







MORE : Bethesda and Arkane’s Redfall vampire game is out this May on Xbox







MORE : Starfield support page suggests no further delays among Redfall rumours





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