Larian Studios Forums Divinity - Original Sin Divinity - Original Sin - General Two original games not included in physical CE?

I just pre-ordered the CE on Amazon in order to support Larian in making more great games. Reading the description, however, I noticed that there is absolutely no mention of the two original games being included!

Is this an oversight, intentional, or something else?

Digital copies of Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity ARE included in the physical CE. No idea why Amazon(France?) doesn't include them in the description but they ARE there: https://www.larianvault.com/product.php?item=43

Alright, I guess I know where to ask if something is fishy on arrival

Now I'm not sure exactly which Amazon you are looking at but Amazon France does list the two original games in the second photo from the top on the left. At the bottom left of the picture where the digital content is listed. Here's a Link: DOS CE Amazon France

I am looking at the English version here at the UK Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divinity-Original-Sin-Collectors-Edition/dp/B00KNL9K8E/

Also, the French version implies steam is necessary to play, while the English version mentions nothing of the sort.

I'm confused and would love some clarification!

Is this what you're looking for?

Exclusive DLC items: Get your hands on exciting bonus content! The Golden Grail: Colour your items in gold and sell them for more. Zandalor's Trunks of Epic Intelligence: Enjoy a unique in-game undergarment as rare as it is opinionated. Divine Divinity: Experience the adventure that started it all. Beyond Divinity: Dig deeper with the first sequel to Divine Divinity.

It's down in the product description area. It does also mention the "Divinity: Original Sin Duo Pack: A second copy for your multiplayer partner included!", which (as far as I know) is a Steam item.

Right! Good eye there, I guess I didn't think to look for it under DLC.

Still curious about the steam thing though. Does this mean I have to install and use Steam in order to play the game I buy in retail?

While those who buy through GOG or the Larian Vault stay free of that requirement?

No, you can just install the game off the disc and play immediately without Steam or additional hassles though multiplayer may be a bit more of a hassle without Steam. But the game itself is DRM free so you need not worry about Steam.

The retail version of Dragon Commander was Steam.

Was? Or is? So Steam is required to download? I thought the game could be installed off the disc unless there is no game disc. That's all Steam would even be required for(if it is) to download and/or easier multiplayer connection.

So, out of curiosity, how many people think they are getting 3 copies of the game in the Collector's Edition (the disc, and 2 steam keys)? And how many people think they're just getting 2?

I don't really care about number of copies....whether it's one or three or fifteen or whatever it's still just going to be me playing the game and I don't foresee more than one download for the foreseeable future. I just care about not having to use Steam, I don't do Steam, I only deal with the Vault and GOG. Now this won't affect me in particular because I'll get a Vault download code as my choice from the KS pledge management but it would suck big time if those buying the physical version were stuck with Steam. I thought they included Steam codes for multiplayer, it would be extremely weird to have a phisical game boxed edition that's missing an actual game-disc....actually that would be a first in my experience. I don't really deal in number of copies because with DRM free they don't limit it or the use and I don't give the game/s to anyone regardless.

Sort of how for my KS pledge I got Dragon Commander so I chose a vault download, which is great, but apparently they decided to give me a Steam code too(game itself not the Beta) for whatever reason.

At least with Dragon Commander, you could install it off the disk, but there was a required update. After that you could start it with or without the Steam client running, and only needed the client for the Steamworks multiplayer lobby or to get updates.

I can understand why they'd end up having to do the CE physical without a game disc, that allows the team to work on the game to the last minute and not have to worry about a cutoff deadline for when the discs have to go into production. KS backers won't be affected and SEA buyers won't care but you may have a few upset customers that waited and bought physical but don't use Steam.

I wonder if Larian could set up a code trade program of sorts to where if someone does not want the Steam codes, Larian can check with Steam and if unused to deactivate the Steam code and replace it with a GOG or Vault code. But Steam is the most poppular option and physical boxes very limited so hopefully there won't be any issues.

There will be a game disk in the CE. Many retail games with Steam codes are the Steam version, though; I don't know if that is the case for D:OS, or not.

I don't imagine it is, I'd be genuinely surprised if they delivered a game disc where the install won't work without a code redemption.

I'm not saying they'll do it this way, but (sadly) there are a lot of games that you can install from a disc but require Steam to play.

Heck, I had one game that didn't even bother to put the game installation files on the disc. The disc just ran an installer that loaded up Steam and began downloading the entire game. I'm looking at you, Global Agenda!

D:OS is DRM free meaning yeah you can install it and play only with the disc !! But about the compatibility across different version, well no clue

Argh, I am thinking I need to cancel my CE order and just grab it off GOG when it becomes available. I hate having to install bloat for any reason. I wish Larian could chime in here and settle the question once and for all.

I'll try and see if I can find a support email to write and ask.

I watched their latest update video again and got the impression that Steam might be required for multiplayer. Every time they mentioned multiplayer, even cross-platform between PC and Mac, Steam was mentioned.