Avowed's Digital-Only Launch: A Gamer's Take on the Physical vs Digital Divide

I remember the excitement when Obsidian Entertainment first announced Avowed back in 2020. As a longtime fan of their RPGs, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this first-person fantasy adventure. Fast forward to 2026, and the game has been out for over a year now—but the conversation around its release still lingers, especially for collectors like me. The reason? Avowed never got a physical edition at launch, and that still stings.

When Avowed finally hit digital storefronts in early 2025, it arrived on Xbox, Steam, and even Battle.net. Yes, you could buy it with World of Warcraft gold—a quirky move that expanded its reach but also felt a bit odd. But what you couldn't do was walk into a store and buy a disc. No physical copy. Not even in the most expensive editions. I pre-ordered the Steelbook edition, shelling out over $90, hoping for a tangible piece of my collection. Instead, I got a download code, some artwork, and a soundtrack. Don't get me wrong, the extras were nice, but the absence of a game disc felt like a punch to the gut.

Let me break down what the pre-order versions offered, just to highlight the absurdity:

So even the most premium package, with a fancy metal case, didn't include the actual game on a disc. That's like buying a Blu-ray case with no movie inside. It's a trend that's become all too common, and I hate it.

This situation reminds me of Alan Wake 2 in 2023. When Remedy announced that sequel would be digital-only, fans were furious. It eventually got a physical release nearly a year later, but even then, it required an additional download on some platforms. So the disc wasn't even complete. Avowed seems to be following the same playbook. As of 2026, there's still no physical version, and I'm starting to lose hope.

Why does this matter? For me, it's about ownership. When I buy a physical game, I can lend it to a friend, resell it, or display it on my shelf. It's a tangible piece of media that I control. With digital, I'm just renting a license that can be revoked or delisted at any time. Plus, game preservation is a real concern. If a digital-only game gets pulled from storefronts, it could vanish forever. Physical copies are a safeguard against that.

I get it—digital distribution saves money on manufacturing, shipping, and storage. And sure, there are plenty of great digital-only games. But for a big-budget AAA title like Avowed, from a studio like Obsidian, backed by Microsoft? There's no excuse. They have the resources to produce a physical run. The demand is clearly there. Fans like me have been vocal about wanting a disc.

The industry is moving toward an all-digital future, and that makes me sad. I love the convenience of digital, but I also love the ritual of opening a new game case, flipping through the manual, and adding it to my collection. It feels like that experience is being taken away.

That said, there's always hope. Alan Wake 2 eventually got a physical release after enough demand. Maybe Avowed will too. Obsidian has a dedicated fanbase, and if we keep asking, they might listen. But as of now, in 2026, I'm still waiting. My Steelbook case sits empty on my shelf, a shiny reminder of what could have been.

If you're like me and prefer physical games, don't stay silent. Let developers and publishers know that you want the option. Because once physical games are gone, they're not coming back. And that's a loss for all of us. 🎮📀