THQ Proposes Salvation to Boxed PC Games: Limited, Numbered Editions

Source: THQ Nordic

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Boxed versions of video games seem to not have the best streak in recent years. While the still existing secondary market sustains interest among consumers in physical copies of console games, on PC the phenomenon of classic, "analog" editions is beginning to appear as a distant memory.

THQ Nordic, in a rather surprising announcement, declared that it intends to change its approach related to boxed PC editions in the future. Key to the success of the new policy are to be specially numbered and limited editions.

New approach to distribution

THQ Nordic's new publishing policy is to be based on several key assumptions. Among the most important of these are:

1. circulation limited to a small number of copies;
2. sealing and numbering of each copy;
3. "premium" quality packaging.

The earliest copies of a given game, marked with low numbers, are to be available for purchase first only at the publisher's stationary store in Vienna. Subsequent ones, meanwhile, will be directed to THQ Nordic's online store and selected partners.

As an example of the application of the new publishing policy, the company cites the example of July 14's Jagged Alliance 3. The standard edition of the game will be released in an edition of 2,500 copies, of which:

1. 1500 copies will be the German version. The first 20 copies will go on sale in Vienna, while the rest will be available from the publisher's online store and partners;
2. 999 copies will constitute the international version. These will also will be available from selected online stores.

The last copies of a given print run are to be added to the games archive implemented on the occasion of the initiative, called Embracer Games Archive.

Cover of the boxed version of the gameTHQ Nordic

The future of the project

Among the announced games that will receive a boxed PC version in this form are:

1. Gothic 1 Remake;
2. Alone in the Dark;
3. Trine 5;
4. Wreckreation;
5. Outcast II.

The limited nature of future PC releases from THQ Nordic may unfortunately mean that not every interested gamer will be able to reserve a coveted copy of the game for themselves. Nevertheless, the Austrian publisher's initiative looks interesting.

1. The publisher's official announcement