Poll: Digital distribution vs. Hard copy
- Thread starter mikecoulter
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I also jump on things on sale. But usually from a bargain bin or a promotion shelf.YuheJi said:
Given the choice, I usually buy games from Steam or GOG rather than boxed. Though I have some reservations about digital distribution, the move from disc and CD-key checks to worrying DRM (SecuROM especially) on many retail games is enough to shift my preferences. Not having to keep track of discs and keys is a plus, too.
Why would I pay the same for a downloaded copy of a game, when I could get a hard copy and then sell that hard copy back to EB?
Hard Copy is the way to go, imho. It's easier to manage, plus the obvious benifit of actually having something to hold up to another person when you say "I bought (Insert any title here), and it's awesome/fun/an utter piece of crap." That, and you're also not stuck with a file-sharing service and servers that they run on. If Steam decides to do server maintenance in the middle of you downloading something, you're SOL my friend.
I like digital distribution. The only issue I have with it is that in Australia we have pretty shit broadband and these come with some equally crappy download caps. I only get 25 gigs a month and I used 2 of that yesterday buying Galactic Civilizations 2. I can't imagine what I'd be looking at downloading if I wanted to play more recent games. This is also why I will not be adopting pure online services like OnLive.
Also, it's generally cheaper. Sure, I can't onsell the games or let my friends borrow them, but that doesn't really bother me because I didn't often do that with PC games anyway. And to be honest, a bunch of my old CDs are lost or ruined now. I'm fortunate I registered my copy of GalCiv 1 with Stardock because when I installed Impulse on my new computer I was able to redownload it free of charge.
For console games I prefer the disc collection, but for console games it just seems more convenient that way, especially on a console like the 360 where you pay a premium for anything resembling decent storage space. If I had to download full retail games to my 360 I'd only be able to have one installed at a time.
Also, it's generally cheaper. Sure, I can't onsell the games or let my friends borrow them, but that doesn't really bother me because I didn't often do that with PC games anyway. And to be honest, a bunch of my old CDs are lost or ruined now. I'm fortunate I registered my copy of GalCiv 1 with Stardock because when I installed Impulse on my new computer I was able to redownload it free of charge.
For console games I prefer the disc collection, but for console games it just seems more convenient that way, especially on a console like the 360 where you pay a premium for anything resembling decent storage space. If I had to download full retail games to my 360 I'd only be able to have one installed at a time.
I like steam's model for digital distribution, but I can't speak for any other method. To me, the perk of steam is that while all games are tied to my account, I can access those games from any PC I'm at in the world. I lose the tangible benefits of the disc hard copy (such as second-hand sales or lending) but I gain the ability to not have my games tied to one PC. Seeing as how I'm a game pack-rat and I don't have a lot of friends, I'm ok with that tradeoff.
Hard copy. it's all been said above; having it there, resale value, sense of security. Also I live in Ireland, so we have Download limits. Also I don't have a credit card, so I can't buy things online...
Hard copy seems the much more viable option for me.
Hard copy seems the much more viable option for me.
Hard copy anyday, with games, music or films.
I like to have it right there on a disc so i can use it whenever, and i can easily uninstall/reinstall it.
Although, saying that, I have a steam account with a load of games on it that ive bought and downloaded...
I like to have it right there on a disc so i can use it whenever, and i can easily uninstall/reinstall it.
Although, saying that, I have a steam account with a load of games on it that ive bought and downloaded...
I prefer and will always prefer a hard copy for my games and other media. For some of the same reasons mentioned. With a hard copy I do not have to worry about a hard-drive failing, and also, I like actually having a physical hard copy of my games and movies.
I do not like how some companies (Cough...Cough Sony PSP Go!) make digital downloads the primary means of playing games.
However, I do see a place for digial downloads for smaller games on PSN and XBLA. This format works great for low priced, small sized downloads, where download time is minimal.
I do not like how some companies (Cough...Cough Sony PSP Go!) make digital downloads the primary means of playing games.
However, I do see a place for digial downloads for smaller games on PSN and XBLA. This format works great for low priced, small sized downloads, where download time is minimal.
I'm entirely in favor of digital distribution. It's good for the developers, good for the gamers, and good for the industry. Valve says the devs make a LOT more money on each sale through Steam than they would if you bought the game at your local Best Buy, because less of the retail price is tied up in inventory, overhead, and logistics.
What happen when Steam goes down after Gabe Newell is killed by Bobby Kotick's black ops team?Cpt_Oblivious said:
What happen when your Steam Account is stolen by evil little goombas dressed like princess peach?
I personally buy some of my games via digital distribution (recently, ARMA 2 and X-3 Terran Conflict), from Steam or Direct2Drive (since they offer pre-order bonuses). But, nothing beat the feeling of holding that retail box in your hand, and the pros that come along with it like collector's edition goodies etc ...
But digital distribution is just too risky sometimes as everything is tied to an account and the risk that one day the service might go down persists in my paranoid mind.
I prefer hard copy, but you should really include an option in the poll for "Whatever is cheaper and/or gets me the game faster".