This means you can't pass the game around to your friends or sell it afterwards, which completely ruins the purpose of physical media imo. I mostly play PC these days so this doesn't affect me, but it's a disappointing direction for console games. At least they could've used an empty disc that has proof of ownership.
EDIT: Bethesda has confirmed that only the PC version won't include a disc. Physical versions of Xbox will include a disc. Whew.
I don't think that's been possible for years, has it? Games had activation codes since long before downloading games became the norm, and I thought that meant you couldn't resell them?
Sure it is, just Google "pre-owned games" and you'll probably have hits from whatever the main game supplier js in your country (GameStop, GAME etc.).
Ooh are you talking about console games? Because it's not the same for PC games.
Ah, hadn't realised you were on about PC gaming.
Physical editions for PC gaming for me died a long time ago as I pretty much exclusively use Steam.
Consoles however I always try and get physical where possible.
That's how PC software/games work. Starfield isn't shipping a disk for Xbox either. Console gamers are enamored with swapping disks that are functionally just DRM keys (due to updates and DLC) around instead of picking their software from an installed titles list. Or they want to sell the game after playing it, which you can't do with software that's sold as a license key.
You haven't walked into a Gamestop in the last couple years?