Poll: Digital Downloads Take Over the World

[lacktheknack]

I voted "Yes" on the poll because I believe it's possible. But I personally hope that the answer is no because I hate digital downloads.

With digital downloads there's no way for everyone to win. If you want to keep it fair to the developers, then you have to have a system that either requires a pemanent internet access or a system that harms the player (see: DRMs). If you want to keep it fair to the players, then you pretty much have to allow infinite downloads with no strings attached, which of course totally screws the developers over.

Honestly, I'm still sore at EA that I paid $60 for a game that I have to re-purchase every time I upgrade or replace my computer... or accidentally uninstall the game or something.

I'm sure it doesn't work like that. Surely they allow redownloads to your account.

And, reading your "no-one can win" idea, I'm pretty sure things like Steam and Gametap have struck a balance. In Steam, the dev sets the price and Steam users get infinite downloads of the product as well as backup-burning capabilities and modding support, while Gametap users pay a subscription and can play any game in the entire library while the subscription lasts, and Gametap shells out a ton of money to purchase rights to include a game in their service. Those look like "everyone wins" scenarios to me.

 

[TehCookie]

I can see it happening, but I don't want it to. I'm not always moving towards the future I still like to play older games and I want to be able to play them and it seems like DD would ruin that. Besides I love going shopping and buying something physical to feel like I got something for my money, not to mention it keeps me from spending to much since I have to get off my lazy ass and go to the store. Also my collection of games doubles as decoration.

 

[Addicted2]

I prefer a physical copy of my games along with a case.
At the moment, digital download games are the same price as a physical game, and I honestly don't know why. They should be cheaper because:
i) It doesn't need to include the plastic box + manual
ii) No need to actually produce a disc

Once the day arrives when DL games are cheaper than discs, I might consider it,

 

[Stammer]

I'm sure it doesn't work like that. Surely they allow redownloads to your account.

And, reading your "no-one can win" idea, I'm pretty sure things like Steam and Gametap have struck a balance. In Steam, the dev sets the price and Steam users get infinite downloads of the product as well as backup-burning capabilities and modding support, while Gametap users pay a subscription and can play any game in the entire library while the subscription lasts, and Gametap shells out a ton of money to purchase rights to include a game in their service. Those look like "everyone wins" scenarios to me.

Actually it does work like that. I even phoned EA and asked them why I was unable to redownload the game and they said "You can't do that, you have to purchase it again"

Even Steam isn't perfect. Doesn't it require you to be connected to your Steam account at any given time? And can't you just download the same game onto all your friends' accounts? Sure you can't all play together, but that doesn't stop them from all playing it. Steam probably is the best-case-scenario out there, but even it isn't perfect.

 

[lacktheknack]

I'm sure it doesn't work like that. Surely they allow redownloads to your account.

And, reading your "no-one can win" idea, I'm pretty sure things like Steam and Gametap have struck a balance. In Steam, the dev sets the price and Steam users get infinite downloads of the product as well as backup-burning capabilities and modding support, while Gametap users pay a subscription and can play any game in the entire library while the subscription lasts, and Gametap shells out a ton of money to purchase rights to include a game in their service. Those look like "everyone wins" scenarios to me.

Actually it does work like that. I even phoned EA and asked them why I was unable to redownload the game and they said "You can't do that, you have to purchase it again"

Even Steam isn't perfect. Doesn't it require you to be connected to your Steam account at any given time? And can't you just download the same game onto all your friends' accounts? Sure you can't all play together, but that doesn't stop them from all playing it. Steam probably is the best-case-scenario out there, but even it isn't perfect.

EA = Fail.

Also, no and no. You don't need to be connected to the internet unless the game itself demands it. The only time you need internet is to sign in and to download stuff. If for some reason, you don't want to sign in, then you can go to the source file and run your game from there without opening Steam. Offline mode exists, and works fine.

And no, you can't download the game to your friends' accounts. It's assigned to your profile, and yours only. I have no idea where your information comes from, but they have absolutely no clue what they're talking about.

 

[RatRace123]

We can only hope not.

Yeah, I'd hate a purely digital future. Nothing beats actually having a game in your hands.

 

[Stammer]

EA = Fail.

Also, no and no. You don't need to be connected to the internet unless the game itself demands it. The only time you need internet is to sign in and to download stuff. If for some reason, you don't want to sign in, then you can go to the source file and run your game from there without opening Steam. Offline mode exists, and works fine.

And no, you can't download the game to your friends' accounts. It's assigned to your profile, and yours only. I have no idea where your information comes from, but they have absolutely no clue what they're talking about.

Well, okay then why can't I just give my friend my Steam account and let him play all of my games at the same time that I'm playing all of mine? If you don't have to be online, then how are they going to know?

 

[SovietSecrets]

Eventually most likely yes. Though I pray it doesn't. Physical>Digital.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

For PC, probably. Consoles, I doubt it, especially with this generation. The hard drives in consoles aren't give enough to go only digital, plus it would be a shot in the foot considering the fact that not everyone has internet.

 

[Blood Countess]

I think it might go digital for a time but revert back to physical games for the consoles cause let's be honest, in due time the digital download groups will fuck us over.... well not me cause when that shit digital download shit takes over I am done with gaming but you will have a nice collection of games you can no longer play, why cause they decided to delete them off their servers, oh to bad but nice that you gave them your money and in the end you got nothing to show

 

[lacktheknack]

EA = Fail.

Also, no and no. You don't need to be connected to the internet unless the game itself demands it. The only time you need internet is to sign in and to download stuff. If for some reason, you don't want to sign in, then you can go to the source file and run your game from there without opening Steam. Offline mode exists, and works fine.

And no, you can't download the game to your friends' accounts. It's assigned to your profile, and yours only. I have no idea where your information comes from, but they have absolutely no clue what they're talking about.

Well, okay then why can't I just give my friend my Steam account and let him play all of my games at the same time that I'm playing all of mine? If you don't have to be online, then how are they going to know?

Because that would be illegal and unethical, and you agreed not to do this when you signed up.

Also, it's possible that playing out of the source file doesn't work. I'm fairly sure it does (I vaguely remember doing it once while the power was out), but if not, it's a minor tick against Steam, but fixes your objection.

 

[lacktheknack]

I think it might go digital for a time but revert back to physical games for the consoles cause let's be honest, in due time the digital download groups will fuck us over.... well not me cause when that shit digital download shit takes over I am done with gaming but you will have a nice collection of games you can no longer play, why cause they decided to delete them off their servers, oh to bad but nice that you gave them your money and in the end you got nothing to show

Valve has their failsafe patch ready, it will allow infinite redownloads of your games after the service itself dies. It's in their best interest to keep it up so that they don't get sued into the ground. Your cute assertiveness that they WILL screw us over only makes you look paranoid and not clearly thinking.

 

[Trolldor]

Um... isn't digital distro standard for PC gaming as is? Logically, consoles will catch on eventually.

There's a reason PC gaming is falling behind. They'll either realize they're doing it wrong, or die out. Either way retail shall remain.

The reason PC gaming is dying is not digital distribution, or do you have actual evidence to support your claim?

Secondly, what are you going to do with your old games because the new consoles aren't backwards compatible? What a waste of money.

I, on the other hand, have infinite free redownloads and installs from any computer that is compatible, all I have to do is log on to my steam account.

Finally, steam knows if you are logged in at more than one location at the same time.

 

[Blood Countess]

I think it might go digital for a time but revert back to physical games for the consoles cause let's be honest, in due time the digital download groups will fuck us over.... well not me cause when that shit digital download shit takes over I am done with gaming but you will have a nice collection of games you can no longer play, why cause they decided to delete them off their servers, oh to bad but nice that you gave them your money and in the end you got nothing to show

Valve has their failsafe patch ready, it will allow infinite redownloads of your games after the service itself dies. It's in their best interest to keep it up so that they don't get sued into the ground. Your cute assertiveness that they WILL screw us over only makes you look paranoid and not clearly thinking.

Got to love the naive

 

[lacktheknack]

I think it might go digital for a time but revert back to physical games for the consoles cause let's be honest, in due time the digital download groups will fuck us over.... well not me cause when that shit digital download shit takes over I am done with gaming but you will have a nice collection of games you can no longer play, why cause they decided to delete them off their servers, oh to bad but nice that you gave them your money and in the end you got nothing to show

Valve has their failsafe patch ready, it will allow infinite redownloads of your games after the service itself dies. It's in their best interest to keep it up so that they don't get sued into the ground. Your cute assertiveness that they WILL screw us over only makes you look paranoid and not clearly thinking.

Got to love the naive

You've also gotta love the Luddites.