Question about expansion: digital or physical copy?

[Mirch]

I have the physical copy of ARR+HW for PS4, does it matter if I get whether physical or digital SB expansion?

[TarynH]

Not at all. I started with the physical copy of ARR, and got digital HW and digital SB.

[Voltron_HD]

I had a physical copy of arr for my ps4 but got fed up with having to have the cd in the ps4 to play the game. Ended up unistalling, redeeming the code on the back of the pamphlet in the ps4 case, and redownloaded. Now I just buy the digital versions so I don't ever need a CD to play the games.

[TarynH]

I had a physical copy of arr for my ps4 but got fed up with having to have the cd in the ps4 to play the game. Ended up unistalling, redeeming the code on the back of the pamphlet in the ps4 case, and redownloaded. Now I just buy the digital versions so I don't ever need a CD to play the games.

Strange... I never needed the disc in the PS4 after installing it. Was your PS4 not setup as primary?

[Leigaon]

I wanted to ask, if I buy the physical copy for PC on say amazon..will I get a digital download for early access? I think for HW I did my PS4, but I wanted to jump on it while on PC this time since mine is fixed up a bit.

[Voltron_HD]

Strange... I never needed the disc in the PS4 after installing it. Was your PS4 not setup as primary?

I originally installed it from the Disk that was provided. I figured that it was meant for exactly that, installing purposes. But after that, it required the CD to be inserted to play FFxiv. After about 3-4 minutes you could hear the cd stopping, so I knew it wasn't necessary but it forced me to have it in to start it. Googled and found out I was SOL and needed to uninstall and redeem my code so I could get the digital version to avoid using the cd. Now all is right as rain, no cd needed. Since then I bought the digital HW and now preordered the digital SB, just to avoid getting a CD lol.

[Vespar]

I wanted to ask, if I buy the physical copy for PC on say amazon..will I get a digital download for early access? I think for HW I did my PS4, but I wanted to jump on it while on PC this time since mine is fixed up a bit.

Yes provided that amazon sends you your pre-order code, which it usually does within minutes. If they don't send your code, call or chat with Amazon support and they'll get it to you, they are really good about that.

Everyone will get the download on patch day regardless, but you'll be locked out of SB areas/content unless you input your pre-order bonus code for early access. On the official launch day, Jun 20th you'll then need to enter the actual physical game's code.
The physical copy is usually nothing more than the patch files on a disc along with a product code that you enter on Mogstation.

Either way the patch files will go live on the server regardless of the media you choose to buy. If you have slow internet, I recommend physical media as it will likely take hours to download the patch otherwise. Having the disc-based version would reduce the amount of files you'd need to download.

(Also keep in mind, if you buy Stromblood for PC and then decide you want to play on PS4 later, you'll need to buy another copy for PS4 to do so.)