Limited Run Games Accused of Shipping “Premium” 3DO Games on CD-Rs

Update [Thu 2nd May, 2024 21:45 BST]:

Limited Run Games has issued a statement addressing the concerns raised by its customers regarding the quality of its release of D: The Collector’s Edition on original 3DO hardware. The company acknowledges that some customers have experienced difficulties while trying to play the game and offers its sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused. Limited Run Games is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality standards and deeply regrets falling short of expectations.

Manufacturing games for hardware that is over 30 years old presents unique challenges. Limited Run Games collaborated with one of the largest disc replication providers in North America to press physical discs. Extensive research on original 3DO hardware and software took place, but quality and reliability issues arose during the traditional disc replication process. In an effort to ensure compatibility with all commercially available 3DO systems, the disc replication partner resorted to using CD-R format, professionally manufactured and selected to maximize compatibility. Limited Run Games successfully tested the discs on the 3DO consoles in their office. Unfortunately, the issues arose only after the game was shipped to customers.

While the company is actively working with new partners to find a solution for traditionally pressed discs, Limited Run Games has decided not to sell or ship any further copies of D: The Collector’s Edition or any future 3DO titles until the situation has been completely resolved. The company is committed to transparency and will provide replacement discs to all customers affected by this issue. For those who prefer, requests for a full refund can be submitted through the Limited Run Games support page.

Rest assured that D: The Collector’s Edition is the only game affected, and Limited Run Games guarantees that further 3DO titles will not go into production until full compatibility has been achieved. The company expresses its regret and assures customers that every effort will be made to improve and rectify the situation.

Original Story [Thu 2nd May, 2024 09:30 BST]:

Boutique publisher Limited Run Games has recently faced allegations regarding its premium edition 3DO titles. Customers who purchased 3DO games from the company have reported receiving CD-R discs instead of professionally pressed discs, which is not what they expected from a premium publisher. This startling revelation is concerning because CD-R discs generally have a shorter lifespan compared to properly pressed CDs.

The 3DO console, though lacking protection from pirated discs, has a reputation for being particularly finicky when it comes to running burned CDs. The console’s advanced age only exacerbates this issue because its optical drives may not be able to read CD-R discs reliably.

Unsurprisingly, the online reaction to this news has been overwhelmingly negative. Customers have expressed their disappointment and frustration regarding the lack of professionalism displayed by Limited Run Games.

Twitter user @theZackcat reported, “It doesn’t even work on my original JP FZ-1. The quality of the CD-Rs are so bad you can see through them.” Other users, such as @LotusPrince, criticized the company for its lack of effort in game preservation, expressing their own ability to burn CD-R discs if that was all Limited Run Games was offering.

While it is important to note that the cost of Limited Run Games’ editions includes additional elements such as booklets, cases, art prints, and more, Twitter user @shibby noted that if the primary reason the games are not functioning properly is due to poor quality CD-Rs, then that is indeed a significant problem.

Limited Run Games, known for its limited editions of modern and classic games for various platforms, including Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, and Xbox, has previously released limited edition versions of D ($64.99), Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties ($69.99), and The Eye of the Typhoon ($114.99) for the 3DO. All three editions have sold out.

In the case of D – a cult horror adventure by the late Kenji Eno – the collector’s edition includes an audio CD that is properly pressed. However, the game itself is copied onto a CD-R disc.

Time Extension has reached out to Limited Run Games for an official statement regarding these concerns and will update this article accordingly.