Update 6/26: Bethesda has since clarified that Starfield will have a physical disc on Xbox for standard editions of the game.
Original story follows.
A recent update from Bethesda has revealed major details about all physical versions of Starfield, suggesting the game will not feature physical discs in any version. Set to launch in just a few months, the newest original game from Elder Scrolls and Fallout developer Bethesda has become one of the most highly-anticipated titles in gaming. Microsoft recently featured Starfield during June's Xbox Showcase, including a 45-minute-long deep dive into its gameplay. Now, however, fans looking to pick up the physical version may have received some disappointing news.
While Starfield has recently been in the spotlight for Microsoft's upcoming lineup, the space exploration game has been in the works for quite some time from Bethesda. Starfield was first announced by the developer nearly five years ago during the studio's 2018 E3 press conference. However, Starfield would face a difficult path throughout its development, receiving multiple delays before finally coming to its set release date of September 6. Now, a new update from Bethesda's support team has confirmed a major catch with the game's physical versions.
A recent reply from Bethesda's official customer support Twitter account may have confirmed a significant detail about the physical releases for Starfield. In a reply to a fan asking about the physical Standard Edition release on Xbox Series X, Bethesda revealed that all physical editions of the game will include a download code for Starfield. According to the post, none of Starfield's physical releases will come with an actual game disc included, providing download codes alongside the included bonus rewards. The tweet reply has since been deleted, assumed to be Bethesda's doing.
The lack of a game disc included with Starfield's physical versions would come as a major blow to fans looking to pick up a physical copy. Bethesda is set to feature multiple different editions of the game with several different rewards included, with the physical Premium Edition already not including the base game. Many popular modern releases have already seen criticism for their physical versions, with some games like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor requiring sizable downloads despite using the physical game disc.
While Starfield's potential exclusion of a physical game disc will likely sour some fans, Bethesda has given plenty of reasons to be excited about the developer's newest franchise. The recent Direct broadcast for the game showed off several details, including a deep dive into Starfield's starship combat and over 1000 worlds to explore with many procedurally generated. Players will also be given significant freedom in the game, both in customizing their ships and how they choose to explore the game's universe. Starfield looks to be a massive success for Bethesda when the game officially launches later this year.
Starfield will release on September 6 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.