SoulCalibur V is the next game to go the way of the digital Dodo and is due to be delisted from the PlayStation Store quite imminently. Next week, in fact, on 19th June.
Available for now via the PS3 storefront, following the appointed time, the title and more than 70 pieces of DLC (including a playable character) will no longer be available for purchase, effectively ceasing to exist digitally. Owners of physical copies can sleep soundly, content in the foresight of their buying decision.
As noted by Delisted Games, this makes the most recent entry, SoulCalibur VI, the only fighter in the venerable franchise to be available digitally currently. Prices of physical copies are likely to rise in response, so if you're a connoisseur, collector, or eccentric, now would be a good time to investigate the matter.
Of course, if you already own SoulCalibur V digitally, you have nothing to worry about. And if you hadn't picked it up in the decade or so since it came out, chances are you probably won't miss it, either. What do you think of SoulCalibur V's vanishing into the digital ether? Is this an archaeological disaster or a portent of things to come? Let us know in the comments section below.
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[source delistedgames.com]
Comments 31
And it will soon return through other means. Nothing is ever truly gone when it is carefully archived and dumped in various places. Officially the 3DS eShop is shut down for example. Unofficially...
And this is why I always buy physical
This is why I buy physical copies
This is why I buy physical.
This is why I'm physical
This is why I had French toast for breakfast
This is why I purple monkey dishwasher.
One of my least favorite entries in the series tbh. 6 is so much better.
What I worry most about games going exclusively digital. Still, V wasn’t all that great IMO.
As someone who buys physical most of the time... I'm pretty sure people that still have it downloaded will be able to play their copies. What this does prove is that digital only will...
1. Make it impossible to attain/download the game should your copy get deleted or corrupted.
2. Destroys the ability for gaming enthusiasts to preserve games they've truly enjoyed.
For the digital only people who have a bone to pick with our concerns... we're all well aware in this particular instance, physical copies were more prevalent so Soul Calibur 5 will not be lost. It's the present and future digital only releases that concern us.
SCV was cool with Ezio but I feel like it was an entry into the series that I forget about the most.
@Uncharted2007 But wouldn't you still be able to just download it again, since it's in your library. For example, Marvel Ultimate Alliance was delisted some time ago, but as far as I know, I can still download it if I deleted it from my hard drive.
For all those that buy physical copies like me, we now have to worry about the only thing on the disc being the license code to access the download.
There is also the matter of most DLC, even with the "game of the year" versions that include the DLC it's actually not physically on the disc but still requires a one-time download code.
Then there are "always online" games. When the servers shut down these games, physical or digital, become no better than a coaster.
As much as we all hate it, we are being forced down a path to digital-only or worse <hushed whisper> cloud gaming <shudder>.
But then in this case they just shutter the whole thing. I mean it's not taking up space as it's still on the server for people to access if they already bought it. Why make it unavailable?
EDIT to add this additional info.
I personally just learned that Alan Wake 2 will not get a physical release AT ALL. It has started people...IT HAS STARTED!!!
Um. Even if it's removed, you can download it if you bought it already. So it's not gone.
People prefer physical games that need updates anyways? Huh
@IslandLogic Feel free to delete it and tell us your findings.
@IslandLogic I've tested this before with Scott pilgrim on the ps3 you can redownload it but only if you have access to the store. If the store is down then your fu*ked!
@Uncharted2007 I deleted it, then went to "purchases" section of the library and downloaded it again. Take note, Marvel Ultimate Alliance was delisted in 2018.
@IslandLogic Then you have until the store is shut down. Are you confident it'll be accessible in five years? Ten?
It does seem strange that they can't just leave it up and enjoy the occasional purchase, surely if it's available to redownload it can't cost any more to leave it available to purchase too? Licensing I guess.
Though this is nothing compared to the supposed streaming future. Games that not many people play anymore won't stand a chance there, and you won't be able to rely on 'other methods' either, as the data won't be on anyone's systems.
I didn’t enjoy 5 so I am not bothered by this but I may take a look at the dlc.
Don't you love the lie about digital being here for preservation. 😂
This is why i like turtles.
@MikeOrator We're also not getting a physical disc release for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name either.
I'm surprised you didn't mention this, since you have a Like a Dragon avatar/profile picture.
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/06/sorry-physical-fans-the-new-like-a-dragon-may-be-digital-only-on-ps5-ps4
@KidRyan
I did not realize it. Great...that sucks
I missed that entire article. I would have been crying all over that comment section.
@MikeOrator I mean it hasn't been officially confirmed yet by Sega or RGG, but it's just a matter of time I guess?
@KidRyan
It actually has been confirmed that NA will not be getting a physical release. Japan and Europe allegedly are. I am on Japan Amazon getting a copy. It will be my first import. Just need to make sure there are English subs as I play them with the Japanese voiceover anyway.
@MikeOrator I believe you, but will you please share your source for official confirmation?
@KidRyan
I actually got researching it because of you. I had no idea until you mentioned it.
Technically there has been no "official" confirmation from Sega. Kamarucho Bros did some of their own research but it's still just second-hand knowledge. So I guess I do not have any official link to a Sega website or Tweet.
Personally, I would love for the information we do have to be wrong.
@MikeOrator We're 3 weeks away from release and still no word of a physical version, seems it being digital only is true.
@KidRyan
I did order a physical from Amazon.jp back in July. Still think that now the series has legs and people are anticipating it in the West, a physical release is paramount.
@MikeOrator I'm hopeful that it will get a USA physical release thru Limited Run or sumthin similar.
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