‘Halo 5: Guardians’ Collector’s Edition Updated To Include Physical Disc Option

Microsoft and 343 Industries listened to feedback from the gaming community and are officially updating the Limited Collector’s Editon of Halo 5: Guardians to include a physical game disc option for those who would prefer it over the included digital game download. Per the official announcement via Halo Waypoint, the swap will come at no additional cost to the consumer.

“Today, we’re able to confirm that for those who would like a physical disc, we’ll provide an option for fans to exchange their digital copy for a physical copy at no additional cost. We’ll get into details as we get closer to launch, and we’d like to once again thank you for the feedback.”

The Halo 5: Guardians Limited Collector’s Edition includes a chest of physical goodies, including a statue of Master Chief and Spartan Locke crafted by TriForce.

When Microsoft and 343 Industries originally launched pre-orders for the Limited Collector’s Edition of Halo 5: Guardians on December 28, 2014, it promised to include all the perks and bonuses found in the Standard and Limited Edition versions of the game, plus a commemorative statue produced in limited, numbered quantities. No spec sheets or mock-up photos were provided.

As a popular, long-standing franchise, diehard Halo fans were willing to pre-order out of good faith based on the promotional descriptions provided. According to VGChartz, the announcement led to more than 34,000 pre-orders for Halo 5: Guardians that week. By comparison, in the weeks leading up to the announcement, Halo 5 typically received anywhere between about 2,000 to 4,000 pre-orders per week.

When the photos and details were officially unveiled, it was revealed the Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition included a physical game disc, while the Limited Collector’s Edition only included a digital download copy of the game. The Steelbook included in both versions would not house a game disc, as is typical for Steelbooks found in video game collectible editions. Instead, the special edition Steelbook was noted to contain dossier cards of the Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris.

Why did 343 and Microsoft originally make that call? According to the Halo Community Update on Halo Waypoint, it was to streamline the process of giving Limited Collector’s Edition owners early access to Halo 5: Guardians.

“As we stated shortly after E3, the LCE will be released on October 20th – a week prior to the official launch date of October 27th, so we’re including a digital copy of the game so that you’ll have the benefit of pre-downloading to be ready to play immediately on launch day.”

However, fans who opted for the $249.99 Limited Collector’s Edition over the $99.99 Limited Edition were promised “everything in the Limited Edition” per Microsoft’s published descriptions. It was arguable that should have included the Limited Edition physical game disc, as well. Now that customers have been promised a physical game disc, it is unclear if it will be the limited or standard disc. It is also unclear if forfeiting the digital edition code will also forfeit early access to Halo 5.

Halo 5: Guardians is scheduled to release on October 27, 2015 exclusively for Xbox One. Will you be dropping your money for one of the Limited Editions at launch? Sound off in the comments below.

[Images courtesy Microsoft]