Version.

[andym]

Well both SH3&4 do actualy run without the disc in the tray,however 3 did crash and ive only just left Pearl Harbour on 4!

[Sailor Steve]

Same thing as I said before: SH4 patched to 1.4 will run without the disc, and if your version of SH3 needed it, it wouldn't crash - it wouldn't even load. You'd get a message saying "Please insert disc."

[Murr44]

Originally Posted by andym

Well both SH3&4 do actualy run without the disc in the tray,however 3 did crash and ive only just left Pearl Harbour on 4!

I just picked up the EMEA-EN (European English version) as I wanted a backup copy of the game & the dvd isn't not required to play after installation. It's version 1.4 so there's no need to apply any further patches. It comes in a smaller dvd case than the original release; the SH III map, Key Reference Card & the "extremely helpful" User Manual are installed on your pc as well, rather than being included as separate paper inserts. As far as I can tell, Starforce isn't included on this version so you don't have to enter any dvd access codes or wait for that disk check to finish before you can start playing.

SH III seems to be kind of fussy. You should take time to read the various threads here about what to avoid doing (ie. saving while submerged, etc.) to resolve a lot of gameplay issues.