Rumors surrounding the PlayStation 5 release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle continue to swirl, with the latest leak suggesting a mandatory online download even for physical copies of the game.  While Bethesda has remained tight-lipped about details following the port's announcement, leaks and speculation have become primary sources of information for eager fans.

Though a PS5 release was confirmed by Microsoft prior to the game's Xbox launch, an official release date remains elusive.  Leaker Billbil-kun, who previously hinted at an April 17, 2025, release date for the Standard edition (with a Premium edition launching two days earlier), has now clarified the download requirement for both physical versions.

This news follows an encouraging update regarding the PS5 version of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. According to the leak, while both the Standard and Premium editions will include a physical disc, an online download will be necessary to play the game. This practice, while becoming increasingly common for larger titles, has raised concerns among some fans, particularly those who prefer offline gaming experiences.

The requirement for an online download mirrors situations like the one seen with Monster Hunter Wilds, which required a 15GB update. However, unlike the multiplayer-focused Monster Hunter, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a single-player adventure, making the online requirement less justifiable in the eyes of some.  The size of the download and whether a persistent internet connection will be required post-download remain unknown.

The online download requirement for the physical PS5 release contrasts with previous physical releases. Notably, the Indiana Jones Collector's Edition, despite its physical packaging, did not include any discs.  Conversely, both the Standard and Premium editions on Xbox included physical discs.  This hybrid approach, somewhere between a full physical release and a digital-only model, has left fans uncertain about the future of physical game releases from Bethesda and other publishers.

This practice raises questions about the future of physical media in gaming. The Avowed SteelBook, for instance, shipped without a disc despite being marketed as a physical edition.  While the PS5 versions of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will seemingly avoid this fate, the mandatory download raises concerns about whether this is simply a matter of disc space constraints or a broader shift away from traditional physical copies.