Limited Run apologises for selling CD-Rs as authentic 3DO games

Limited Run Games has apologised for using burnt CD-R discs instead of pressed discs for a recent 3DO re-release.

The company recently sold a $64.99 ‘Collector’s Edition’ of 1995 horror game D, consisting of a physical three-disc release for the 3DO console.

However, some players receiving the game discovered that it doesn’t work on their console, because it’s a CD-R instead of a pressed disc.

Although the 3DO hardware has no copy protection and can theoretically read CD-R discs, compatibility is low and it can wear out the console’s laser faster. As such, while 3DOs can play CD-R discs in practice, some consoles may struggle to play them at all.

Pressed discs differ from CD-Rs in that the manufacturing process involves making a glass master disc and using it to create an exact replica of the original disc. CD-Rs are less accurate and can result in disc read issues with certain lasers.

In a statement made to IGN, Limited Run says it “would like to apologise unreservedly to all who have purchased the game and experienced an issue”.

“Manufacturing games for hardware that is 30+ years old presents a variety of challenges,” it says. “We partner with one of the biggest disc replication providers in North America to press our physical discs and despite researching original 3DO hardware and software extensively, we found quality and reliability issues when attempting to press 3DO discs in the traditional manner.

“In an attempt to offer full compatibility with original hardware, our disc replication partner was able to successfully manufacture the discs using a CD-R format, which we believed would work across all commercially available 3DO systems. This process was professionally done and was used to ensure maximum compatibility rather than serve as a cost-cutting exercise.

“We tested the discs on the 3DO consoles in our office and all five discs from the game worked as expected. It was only upon shipping to our customers that we came to realise that some users were experiencing difficulty. We will not be selling or shipping further copies of this game, or any future 3DO titles until the situation has been resolved.

“We are currently working with new partners to find a solution for traditionally pressed discs and will offer replacement discs to all customers. We will keep customers updated as this progresses, but in the meantime, any customer who desires can request a full refund at www.limitedrungames.com/support.”

The company has also started emailing a similar message to customers who bought D: The Collector’s Edition, advising them that it is “actively working with our disc replication partners to provide replacement pressed discs for our customers and hope to find a solution shortly”.

It is not yet clear how the company will solve situation given that it was unable to press 3DO discs before, nor is it clear how this affects its release of Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties, another 3DO game it currently has “in production” with an estimated shipping date of August 2024.