Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.
TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust.
Facepalm: PlayStation 5 owners who splurged on the physical Archaeologist Edition of the indie hit Outer Wilds are currently feeling shortchanged due to an issue that raises questions about how such mistakes occur. Annapurna Interactive, the game's publisher, has had to come clean about a pretty major snafu with this premium retail release.
For those not in the loop, Outer Wilds is a critically acclaimed adventure game that released in 2019. You play as an intrepid space explorer tasked with unraveling the mysteries of a strange, ever-resetting solar system. The game was a hit with critics and fans alike for its storytelling and open-world space exploration.
In 2021, a story expansion called Echoes of the Eye launched, adding new areas to explore and lore to uncover. More recently, Annapurna teamed up with iam8bit to release the Archaeologist Edition for PS5 and Nintendo Switch on August 30. This physical bundle was supposed to include the base game and the expansion.
However, something went seriously wrong in the manufacturing process for the PS5 version. Annapurna has now acknowledged that the discs somehow ended up missing the Echoes of the Eye DLC entirely.
"Unfortunately, for the PS5 physical edition of Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition, the wrong version of the game made it into manufacturing," the team explained in a statement posted on X/Twitter.
The publisher is working to get to the bottom of the problem. In the meantime, they're asking any impacted PS5 owners to hit up iam8bit's support website with proof of purchase. Doing so will net you a downloadable voucher code to redeem the missing Echoes of the Eye expansion digitally.
An update on Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition for PS5: pic.twitter.com/KwKzafSnT3
– iam8bit (@iam8bit) August 30, 2024
"While Annapurna Interactive continues to investigate – If you purchased a copy from any global retailer, please provide proof of purchase to iam8bit's customer service to receive a DLC voucher to redeem for the expansion."
Getting the full Outer Wilds content is the priority, but many fans had shelled out extra cash specifically for the premium physical version. Having to rely on a digital voucher for part of the package is understandably leaving collectors with a bitter taste.
Players are commenting under the same statement, calling for full disc replacements or refunds rather than being forced into a half-physical, half-digital solution.
"Wait...a voucher? Wasn't the game supposed to include the DLC in the disc? That defeats the original purpose of this edition," one user commented.
"I've ordered a Japanese copy instead, please tell me that one isn't such a catastrophic mess, too. These need recalling, nothing less," said another.
The allure of owning titles physically instead of digital downloads remains strong for many gamers who appreciate building a tangible library. Fair to say that it's a frustrating situation, especially for this particular subset.