retail boxed version instead of Steam? Not much of a manual comes with games anymore. The only thing I can think of would be if Steam went [censored] up. Then a down load fix would allow one to use the disk. Or is that being paranoid?

The manual is about the only thing that box gets over digital and the idea that Steam would just disappear over night has no basis in reality imo.

lately steam has been putting the manual's on the games store page well i know they put the manual up for dead rising 2

There's two reasons: The printed manual, and being able to install without downloading anything. Since the game is steamworks enabled, you gain nothing else by buying retail.

Exception made for the collector's edition, which has all those feelies like the poker chip and cards and stuff.

The only real advantage is that you dont have to download the game before installing it.

Call me crazy, but I like holding the disk. That way I KNOW I have it. I use 360 anyway but if your computer takes a **** overnight then you dont have NV anymore. I would by store bought if I were you.

A manual you don't need, and a disk that might or might not appeal to your sense of nostalgia. At any rate, only the CE has worthy offline gimmicks.

If our computers broke and couldnt use steam, we couldn't play the game anyway?

No reason not to go for steam. In fact, you can play sooner with Steam. It will pre-load the day before, and activate right at midnight (+ or - a few hours perhaps, depending on what time zone their activations work with) and start playing right away!

With the store bought you have to drive over, wait in line, head home, then start installing. Depending on the travel distance, whether you go to a midnight release or not, and your install time (could take an hour) you will save several hours with the Steam version.

I think they have PDFs of the manual available on steam once its out, if not sooner. I'm pretty sure they released the Fallout 3 manual before the game even came out.

You can make disk backups with the steam version. It has that functionality. Also, even if your computer explodes, you just get another one, login with steam, and download NV to that computer. It's not like the game's linked to your rig, it's linked to your account.

Of course, there is something about feeling a disk in your hands...

Unlike the consoles, steam accounts aren't tied to a computer. It's more than possible to download any of your games on any number of PCs, with the only restriction being that you can only be logged in to one PC at a time. Steam is actually MUCH more redundant than physical copies.

True. However its not even an option for me. I'm not a computer gamer so I don't know the ins and outs of how it works.


And I agree completely. The disk makes you feel enpowered to go rule the world!

Sure there still good reasons to get the disc version
getting some fresh air, meet some friends or make some new ones

It disappeared in New Orleans overnight.... :whistling:

well i'm 2hrs away from New Orleans i hope it don't pull a houdini here :unsure:

For me, I am getting it online and it will be delivered on release day when I get home from work. So, it will be there when I am ready to play it. And it is the CE, which you can't get from Steam. However, even then, I like having the box and the disk. I can reinstall without svcking up bandwidth.

However, even though I do have the box, I still get the Steam advantages of being able to download the game if choose to or need it in the future.

So, the advantage to getting the Retail Box, is you get the best of both worlds.

In your Steam games list, right click on the game and most have an option called "view player manual." If it's not there, right click it and view the store page and there is usually a link to the manual.



If your 360 takes a "****" overnight you won't be able to play NV either.

I'm not a PC gamer, but I wanna add my opinion here.

If I used Steam, I wouldnt like that because for some reason, it gives me peace of mind knowing I have a hard copy right next to me at my desk as opposed to a website. Granted you could go there, and Re-DL it for free, but still, its the peace of mind thing.

For me, discs can be lost, broken, stolen, destroyed, etc etc. Unless the Steam service goes bankrupt or something, it will always be there. It gives me more peace of mind to know that my steam account is always there, full of a plethora of epic games. And its all a quick download and log in away.

I just like having the box. :/

I'll be asleep or at school on Tuesday, so there is no need to get it from Steam. I prefer to have a disc. It's not a feeling of nostalgia or empowerment. Rather, it is that I own something physically. The Steam version costs the same as the box version, but with the box version I get a printed manual, a disc (and case), and a box. What exactly am I gaining by using Steam over buying the box? I could see how using Steam would be an advantage if you lived hours away from a retailer that sold the game. Other than that I don't see the benefit.

One benefit of digital distribution I appreciate is not having to have all those game boxes, manuals, and disks taking up space in my home. Another good thing is that digital distribution reduces the amount of paper and other materials that go into a physical product - better for the planet.

I think that until my neighborhood looks like the Capitol Wasteland, I don't have to worry too much about the planet.
I find physical disks easier to manage.

Maybe you would like to explain what you are talking about? Steam is not going to just go belly up and instantaneously stop play ability for every game ever bought through them.

I'm not sure where you live but where I live there are too many trees as it is. If it's less product then why am I still paying the same price? The planet, if it gets any benefit at all, can svck on my 12 gauge. I'm not going to pay the same price for less just because it makes some wood nymphs happy.

You can always get the flimsy paper CD cases, fold the boxes down, and then put all the materials into a filing cabinet.

1: "too many trees as it is"... :facepalm:

2: Consider it bandwidth costs.

3: "the planet can svck my 12 gauge"... You live on this planet. :facepalm:

4: That filing cabinet still takes up space.