Croc Remaster Dev Explains Why It’s Not Getting a Physical Xbox Release

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Summary

  • Xbox fans won’t get a physical copy of the Croc: Legend of the Gobbos remaster due to low demand.
  • Argonaut Games explained the decision, though many fans are still frustrated by the digital-only Xbox release.
  • Limited physical copies will only be available for the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.

As a lifelong gamer and collector, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment at the news that the Croc: Legend of the Gobbos remaster will not be available in a physical copy for Xbox fans. I remember fondly playing the original on my PlayStation back in the day, and the thought of adding a shiny new disc to my collection was genuinely exciting.

Unfortunately for Xbox enthusiasts who are fond of the game ‘Croc: Legend of the Gobbos’, a physical copy of the remaster will not be available to them due to low demand. Contrastingly, the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch versions of the game will offer a physical release. Regrettably, Xbox, PlayStation 4, and PC users won’t have that luxury. The studio responsible for the ‘Croc’ remaster, Argonaut Games, defends its digital-only Xbox distribution, but many fans express disappointment about this decision.

The unexpected announcement by Argonaut about the remaster of Croc in August caught fans off guard. Even more surprising was the initial unveiling of the game’s Collector’s Editions, which only highlighted Switch and PS5 versions. However, Argonaut Games has recently provided some clarity on the situation, albeit with a less than ideal revelation: Xbox, PC, and PS4 users will only be able to enjoy digital versions of the classic platformer.

In October, Argonaut Games unveiled the remastered version of the game “Croc” as a Collector’s Edition for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. This special edition comes with a game disc, a figurine of the main character, a four-disc CD soundtrack, and other items. On December 5th, it was announced that Collector’s Editions for PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S were also being released. However, these versions will only include a download code, not a physical disc. After receiving criticism about this change, Argonaut Games addressed the issue on December 11th, stating that there was “almost no demand” for a physical version of the game for Xbox consoles. Instead of offering a physical edition, they decided to provide a Collector’s Edition with a download code so more players could access the collectibles without requiring a PS5 or Switch to play the game.

Croc Remaster Developer Cites Low Demand for Additional Physical Versions

It came as no surprise that fans continued to express dissatisfaction with the response. Argonaut further clarified that due to manufacturing requirements, physical releases need a certain number of discs produced, and their estimates didn’t indicate enough users on these platforms would purchase enough copies for it to be profitable. Unsurprisingly, Xbox, PC, and PS4 fans remain disappointed, and Croc isn’t the only game that has faced criticism recently for a digital-only special edition. Similarly, the $95 Avowed Premium Edition SteelBook doesn’t include a disc despite being advertised as a “physical” edition.

Apart from not having a physical version on many platforms, the unusual aspects of the remaster’s release don’t end there. Although it will be available on PC, the game ‘Croc’ won’t be on Steam but exclusively on GOG instead. Given that Steam is the largest platform for PC gaming, it’s puzzling why they didn’t choose to launch there. As for Argonaut Games, a smaller studio, there might be sound financial reasons behind releasing only two console versions of the disc edition. However, this decision adds to the ongoing disappointment among physical media enthusiasts as the industry continues to shift towards a more digital-focused future.

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2024-12-16 23:36