Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is just 12 days away, and we’re inching closer to the point where you can stare down a download bar and just wish the days away. Pre-loading has become a staple function on the age of digital downloads, allowing you to grab files ahead of time and have the game ready to go on launch day. That’s going to be present on console for The Phantom Pain, but not for anyone on PC.
Metal Gear Community Manager Robert Allen Peeler delivered the bad news last night, which took a lot of people by surprise. Console players who have pre-ordered the game will be able to start their huge download a few days prior to release, but anyone on Steam will have to wait until September 1st just to initiate their download.
@suPirman unfortunately PC Steam will not have a preload option, however players will be able to preload on console
— Robert Allen Peeler (@popcicle) August 19, 2015
Things got a little confusing after that tweet, with many wondering if this meant you could no longer pre-order the game on Steam (why, I’m not sure). Here’s the gist of it though: you’ll still be able to pre-order The Phantom Pain on Steam up until launch, which will net you a free Ground Zeroes and some DLC. After the game goes on sale, this offer ends – as expected – and goes on regular sale.
Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll only be able to start downloading the game when it unlocks in New Zealand – the first region to see daylight on a new day.
It’s not that confusing, but the reasoning behind a pre-load omission is. Konami hasn’t exactly said why its possible on console and not PC, which could suggest that the version maybe has some last minute brushing up to do. But if that’s the case, why move the release date up by two weeks? It’s all very confusing.
But aside from confusing, it’s really disappointing. With internet being the way it is locally, it means you’ll probably not be playing on release day, which just plain tanks.
Last Updated: August 20, 2015
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 20, 2015 at 09:40
Oigh… I’ll be getting it for my shiny, new, glittering and fancy looking PS4 then…
Edit: and it’ll be a discy disco version…
Corrie
August 20, 2015 at 11:12
PC is getting a retail release on Sept 1 , have mine pre ordered
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 20, 2015 at 11:19
I know… But I really don’t want to sit with a 40 GB steam download again…
Corrie
August 20, 2015 at 11:21
Don’t say that -_-, I’m getting the retail specifically to avoid a download, hoping that Konami puts most of the files on those disks , don’t mind a GB or so but if I have to DL the game it means I’ll have a major problem and R600 down the drain
As for Mad Max that I can feel will only have a gb or 2 and the rest a download since that seems to be WB new thing which means I’ll wait
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 20, 2015 at 11:52
I’m rather going to get both for ps4, I unfortunately have limited access to the Internet with regards to bundles, so my only choice then is a console…
Corrie
August 20, 2015 at 12:02
Feel the same with my 3G, that’s why I’m hoping.
Haven’t had time to actually getting around to getting the ADSL up, I now know it easy since I already have a line but yeesh Telkom call centre
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 20, 2015 at 12:35
Yep… The life of 3g connec..tiv..ity…
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 20, 2015 at 09:40
Oigh… I’ll be getting it for my shiny, new, glittering and fancy looking PS4 then…
Edit: and it’ll be a discy disco version…
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2015 at 09:44
Well it’s not like PC gamers aren’t used to waiting heh.
Hammersteyn
August 20, 2015 at 09:47
Either waiting for the game to be fixed or for it to go on sale.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 20, 2015 at 10:02
I’ve noticed the new trick is to put it on sale a few months after release, and then a week or 2 after that the 1st DLC is released heh.
WitWolfy
August 20, 2015 at 09:57
Waiting for that “NOSTEAM” edition 😉
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 20, 2015 at 09:58
You mean waiting for the sideshows that we call games to page through frame by frame, or the ping through a Telkom line that would stagnate the actual packet?
Hammersteyn
August 20, 2015 at 09:48
Physical copy. Because I’m part of the 8% that trades games.
Ir0nseraph
August 20, 2015 at 10:12
You might as well just wait for a special, no point in paying full price for a game you will only play when destiny does not consume you 😛
Hammersteyn
August 20, 2015 at 10:13
haha
WitWolfy
August 20, 2015 at 09:52
For obvious reasons, people will hack it to shreds and put it on kickass torrents before it even releases.
Hammersteyn
August 20, 2015 at 09:53
If I could hack games I’d just remove the Konami logo from the game. Then it would be perfect
WitWolfy
August 20, 2015 at 09:56
I wouldnt be surprised if some fans intend on doing JUST that, and obviously replacing Sutherland with Hayter too.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 20, 2015 at 09:59
Oooh…I’d put the kojima back in…
Hammersteyn
August 20, 2015 at 09:53
If I could hack games I’d just remove the Konami logo from the game. Then it would be perfect
WitWolfy
August 20, 2015 at 09:52
For obvious reasons, people will hack it to shreds and put it on kickass torrents before it even releases.
Daniel evans
August 20, 2015 at 10:34
well I’m fine with this as I didn’t get super fast broadband for nothing 🙂
sure do feel sorry for those who don’t have fast broadband though as the game file will be huge.