Silent Hill: Homecoming still set for Sept., PC version Steam-only
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Aug 22nd 2008 at 4:30PM }
We have also been informed that Valve's Steam digital distribution service is "the only method of distribution" for Silent Hill: Homecoming on the PC. Konami currently has no plans for a retail box version, which certainly is an interesting strategy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vanillacide @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:38PM
Cool, get all your other games on Steam now Capcom ... then I will buy them!
Cj @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:56PM
You mean Konami...
Vanillacide @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:41PM
Was so excited about being first that I went for a FAIL on publisher name. :$
That'll learn me ... I can not handle first!
Meloche @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:43PM
Seriously, why no PC version in a box? I have a limit on how many GB I can download each month...
Haggard @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:29PM
Get a friend with a fast unlimited broadband, install Steam on his PC, download the game; click "make backup copy" onto a large USB stick, external HDD or DVD, and then install it onto your PC's Steam programs off that.
OTAM @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:36PM
Or they can just make a PC boxed copy for the people who don't have internet or want to go through all that.
Fanboy @ Aug 24th 2008 9:12AM
They're just trying to cut back on piracy thats all...
Chris @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:04PM
I think they are going the steam only route is because this is one of those PC console ports that no one will buy but plenty would want to pirate and see on their high-res rigs.
Shagittarius @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:05PM
First companies eliminate cool extras from the box like cloth maps and such.
Next the shrink the boxes and make the manuals all dvd sized.
Now they make the value prop even less by completely removing all physical elements.
Except the price of the games hasn't gotten any cheaper.
I will not buy this game wihtout a retail box with appropriate materials.
pr_master @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:50PM
who cares if you dont buy it??? $60 dollars
less to the millions in profit for Konami.
Haggard @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:31PM
Developers can afford to spend more time and money making their games better if they sell via digital distribution.
Even if the same amount of people buy it, they make waaay more money and therefore the budget can be higher, or they'll be more incentivised to make a sequel.
wootman @ Aug 23rd 2008 3:11AM
yeah, buying a game to play it is stupid, i would rather have a manual.
Jakka(Naked Peach Brigade) @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:06PM
I know it's Silent Hill's Trademark but does ever single SH screen that I see has to have nurses? Good ol' Pyramid Head would be nice for a change.
WhoZeDuke @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:30PM
@Shagittarius
Have you ever thought about how much more expensive it is to make games now compared to 10 or 20 years ago? Its a lot of money. I'm just glad PC games still cost $50, unlike 360 and PS3 games.
Anyway, I think this is a great move. I love Steam and don't own a 360 or PS3. I'm really interested in Silent Hill, but I'm all for games coming out simultaneously on PC and Console
Envoy X @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:51PM
This game is going to fail hard. Quote me of this one.
Bass Masterson @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:42PM
Smart move. It's called 'cutting your losses'. They've accepted that the game is a giant sack of shit that will get slaughtered on release and they don't want to waste money pressing it if they don't have to.
propanol @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:03PM
Excellent. Retail and disc media both suck ass. Give the eighties back their plastic discs. Bring on digital distribution. Bring on the future!
umm....hello??? @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:20PM
....too....many....games.....this.....year! my wallet will be empty by November...
Vanillacide @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:45PM
Ooohh... found out how to change the time of posting on JOYSTIQ, bummer is my post is no longer first.
Either that or Cj replied to my post four hours before I posted it. :)
Haggard @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:53PM
lol, that's bizarre. So changing the clock the other way doesn't just make the times right for you if you live in the pacific; it actually ensures you can always get a first comment in?
snarfoogle @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:51PM
Steam only? It's almost as if they don't WANT me to pirate their game.
caniju @ Aug 23rd 2008 3:49AM
those who think only pc games are pirated are blind,just visit any torrent site and see how thousands of xbox games are getting downloaded thousand times a day,no matter how good a game is,pc gamers will never accept digital distribution,they will not ever agree to have the partial ownership of a game with no box cover and printed manual,also who has so much time to spend hours in downloading mamoth sized games via net with limited bandwidth?all who're supporting digital distribution in this forum are console gamers,enjoying the ruining of pc games,it is very unlikely that they're so much worried about the loss of game companies.
Ben Serwa @ Aug 23rd 2008 5:25AM
I for one wish more developers would fully embrace the digitally distributed only route. It's way more convenient and it's better for the environment.
zaglis @ Aug 23rd 2008 6:22AM
Good choise Konami!
game-50$ + VAT bullsht- from 10$ to 30$. YAY.
Teabag @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:56AM
This actually shows that this SH is a low-fair, get-some-cash attempt. The previews have been underwhelming. Oh well.
ZippyDSMlee @ Aug 23rd 2008 10:35AM
Wow if I cared I would gt the nice steamless version that pops up after its launched....no box no buy.
But its a good ting I hate SH ^^
Also until digi distro realizes its not all that and prices a game no higher than 35$ (half of normal prices) it's SOL to me anyway, price gougeing and bad games, you just gotta love it.
t_m @ Aug 23rd 2008 10:43AM
I wish we'd get more games on digital distribution only. Its easier, faster, better for the industry...
Josh @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:27PM
I think it makes sense, becuase of the many sequels of SH, having this one distributed over the internet, reduces the chances that vendors won't be able to sell the physical copies, therefore cutting costs.
mikey @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:22PM
To be quite frank, its easy to tell the reason why their doing this is to make it harder on people who pirate pc games. Considering how easy it is to download pirated games and run them. Its no wonder why people see less and less interesting games on pc. As for the comment about more and more 360 games being pirated. That may be true. But the way xbox live is designed. If you are found using a custom hacked 360, MS has every right to brick your system. ANd they'll do it lol without hesitation. On a pc its a totally different story. It would be illegal for MS to try to attempt to brick your pc. And yes I agree digital distribution is better for the environment. And would be a nice kick in the butt to Gamestop for becoming a stuck up monopoly.
Why the hell do they always bundle consoles when they premier. I freaken hate that.
Derek Rudolph @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:08PM
I'm excited to see this and the other survival horror powerhouse Resident Evil updated for the current generation.
caniju @ Aug 24th 2008 3:37AM
if only the product matters then why all other products are sold in form of colourful packages?are pc games same as insurance policies?many people present pc games to others as gifts,they know little about games they choose as gifts,they visit retail stores,randomly pick up a game,wrap it up in a gift paper and present it,a large number of games are sold in this way,except serious gamers very few people look at previews,reviews,trailers etc,but when people will have to have a game on their own by digital distribution,they'll become extremely choosy about which one to download,small or not so famous game companies will go into extinction as none of their games will be bought,casual gamers don't bother downloading a game,only hardcore and serious gamers will download some big products from big companies with extreme caution....
Pete @ Sep 24th 2008 5:14AM
releasing a game on steam doesn't prevent it from getting pirated.