Why Limited Print Games Are Hurting the Physical Market
As a passionate supporter of physical media, I find it deeply concerning how the trend of limited print games is affecting the physical game market. While the idea of limited editions has its place—namely in collector’s editions designed for enthusiasts—it’s a different matter entirely when standard physical games are treated as limited commodities. This practice undermines accessibility, fairness, and the long-term sustainability of physical game collecting.
The Problem with Limited Availability
The fundamental issue with limited print games is right there in the name: they are limited. When companies artificially restrict the availability of physical copies, they create unnecessary scarcity, making it difficult or even impossible for many players to get their hands on a game they want. Physical games should be readily available for those who prefer owning tangible copies. Restricting this to a select few through limited runs excludes a large portion of the gaming community.
Exploiting FOMO
Many companies selling limited print games rely on fear of missing out (FOMO) as their primary marketing strategy. They pressure consumers to buy quickly by creating a false sense of urgency: “Buy now, or it’s gone forever!” This approach exploits people’s anxiety and love for gaming, turning what should be an enjoyable hobby into a stressful experience.
Fragmented Editions Across Platforms
A particularly insidious practice among these companies is the creation of platform-exclusive variations. For instance, the Switch, PS5, PC, and Xbox versions of a game might each come with one unique extra. In some cases, these extras are designed to combine into a single collectible item, forcing players to purchase every version to assemble it. This tactic not only inflates costs for collectors but also alienates players who feel forced to compromise their platform preference just to complete the set.
Understanding Indie Developers’ Constraints
To be fair, indie developers often have limited options when it comes to physical publishing. These smaller studios may rely on limited print runs because they lack the resources or support to produce and distribute on a larger scale. This is understandable, and indie games are often niche by nature. However, for major publishers and non-indie games, there is no excuse. These companies have the infrastructure to make standard physical editions widely available, but instead choose to limit them for profit. Understandable as some constraints may be, limited print games aren’t the solution. The industry needs a better, more inclusive approach to address these challenges without relying on scarcity.
Excessive Delivery Delays – Where is my game?
Many of these limited print companies take months or even years to deliver purchased copies. In some cases, they oversell their stock and are forced to cancel orders, leaving customers disappointed and empty-handed. Worse still, these cancellations sometimes happen without any clear explanation, adding insult to injury. These delays and unpredictable practices not only create frustration but also diminish trust in the companies, making the experience of obtaining physical games far less enjoyable and far more disheartening.
The Case for Physical Games
Physical games have always been more than just a way to play—they are a way to preserve gaming history and provide players with ownership that digital downloads cannot replicate. Limited print runs jeopardize this preservation by making physical copies scarce and driving up secondary market prices. A healthy gaming market needs physical editions to remain accessible and abundant.
Collector’s Editions Are Different
Collector’s editions have their place. They’re meant to be special, with unique items and extras that cater to hardcore fans. They’re supposed to be limited because they’re designed for a niche audience. Standard physical editions, on the other hand, should not be treated this way. They should be available to anyone who wants them, without unnecessary restrictions.
A Selfish Mentality
Unfortunately, some individuals who support these shady practices do so out of self-interest. They want games to remain limited so the value of their copies remains high, or they seek a sense of exclusivity, enjoying the feeling of having something others cannot. This selfish mentality excludes others from enjoying these games and undermines the idea of gaming as a shared and inclusive hobby.
My Journey into Making Physical Editions
My frustrations with limited print companies pushed me to take matters into my own hands. Companies like “Limited Run Games” canceled my order not once but twice, leaving me disappointed and questioning their reliability. Then there was “First Press Games,” which took over two years to deliver my purchase—and I still haven’t received it.
These experiences were infuriating, but in hindsight, I’m grateful for them. They inspired me to start making my own physical editions, turning my frustration into a new hobby that I now love. By creating my own editions, I can ensure they are accessible, high-quality, and tailored to my vision. What began as a reaction to poor practices has become a passion project, giving me a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship behind physical media.
Why Limited Print Games Aren’t Saving Physical Editions
There’s a common argument that limited print games are keeping physical editions alive, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. These practices do little to preserve the integrity of physical media or ensure its availability for future generations. Instead, they create artificial scarcity that inflates prices, alienates potential buyers, and often leads to distrust due to unreliable delivery and order cancellations.
True preservation of physical editions requires accessibility and a commitment to quality that goes beyond exploiting a collector’s market. By making physical copies widely available, we could strengthen the market and build a sustainable future for those who value tangible ownership. Limited print games are not the answer; they are merely a band-aid for a much deeper issue that threatens the long-term viability of physical gaming media.
A Better Approach
The industry needs to rethink its approach to physical media. Standard editions should not be limited in availability, and publishers should stop leveraging FOMO to drive sales. Instead, they should focus on creating meaningful collector’s editions for those who want them while keeping standard physical copies accessible to everyone.
As gamers, we deserve better. Let’s advocate for a physical market that values inclusion and sustainability over-exploitation and scarcity.
I wholeheartedly agree with you here, and I’ve had the same thoughts myself when browsing the options for modern physical editions of games.
Yeah I think people are getting sick of it as well.