Poll: Would you be ok with games going exclusively digital?

[Aris Khandr]

I already have. The only time I purchase physical media these days is if:
1) It is cheaper than the digital
2) It comes with a digital copy

Both have to be true. For example, the last CD I bought was $9.99 from Amazon for the digital version, or $4.99 for the CD with a free digital copy as well. So I bought the CD, and promptly handed it off to someone else as soon as it arrived. Books, movies, games, music, magazines, television, comic books, I only buy digital now. And I am slowly working my way through the things I already own and buying them again so I can get rid of the physical copy. I want my movie collection cut in half within two years, and nearly eliminated within five. Books will take longer, but I still expect to go from eleven boxes down to four or so within the same five years. Replacing my Dungeons and Dragons books will be the hardest. Similarly, waiting for Marvel to hop onto the bandwagon with all of their titles so I can unload those. I'd love to convert my entire run of X-Men 2099 to Comixology and have them on hand to read whenever.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Well, I'm pretty sure the PS3 is compatible with external hard drives. Though I think the drive has to be formatted for FAT32 instead of the normal NTFS, and I'm not sure if the files for Okami specifically are just one big file that's 6 GB, or multiple separate files that just make up the 6 GB... if it were just one big file, that wouldn't be any help because FAT32 only holds individual files up to 4 GB in size.

Yeah, I don't exactly know what that means, but it sounds like it sucks for me.

Well, theoretically, if you could separate the files for Okami into two groups of 3 GBs, you'd be able to put them on anything larger than 8 GB or so as long as it were reformatted properly.

I don't know how the files for Okami are set up though, because I haven't dug through them on my own PS3.

EDIT: Also, I don't know how well that would translate into getting it back on the PS3 or running it... XD

Well, I just figured anything you paid for probably has something on the file which doesn't allow copying or moving to an external storage, because Sony and Microsoft don't much care for free copies of their products floating around.

 

[shrekfan246]

Well, I'm pretty sure the PS3 is compatible with external hard drives. Though I think the drive has to be formatted for FAT32 instead of the normal NTFS, and I'm not sure if the files for Okami specifically are just one big file that's 6 GB, or multiple separate files that just make up the 6 GB... if it were just one big file, that wouldn't be any help because FAT32 only holds individual files up to 4 GB in size.

Yeah, I don't exactly know what that means, but it sounds like it sucks for me.

Well, theoretically, if you could separate the files for Okami into two groups of 3 GBs, you'd be able to put them on anything larger than 8 GB or so as long as it were reformatted properly.

I don't know how the files for Okami are set up though, because I haven't dug through them on my own PS3.

EDIT: Also, I don't know how well that would translate into getting it back on the PS3 or running it... XD

Well, I just figured anything you paid for probably has something on the file which doesn't allow copying or moving to an external storage, because Sony and Microsoft don't much care for free copies of their products floating around.

I don't think there's copy protection, but I could very well be wrong as I've never tried backing up my PS3 files to an external hard drive. It's only activated to your account anyway, so I don't imagine you'd be able to copy it over to a friend's PS3 and they'd just be able to start playing.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Nope. I'd probably stop buying games them. I like to own what I purchase, not rent it. Now, there are a few games that I did buy digital, and sure enough, I lost one of them. They took the TNMT 3 off of the PS3 store. My PS3 died. Got a new PS3. No way for me to get that game back, or get my money back. So I will always prefer physical copies.

 

[Dr. Doomsduck]

A few years ago, I would've hated that idea, but I think that with the rise of Steam and actual evidence that it can go right, I'm pretty much fine with either.

 

[chozo_hybrid]

The option of both is better then just one or the other. What about people living in countries that have really crappy net connections or bandwidth limits, I have the latter. Not to mention getting a game in the first couple days would be a nightmare, people all trying to get it at the same time etc.

If it went all digital, I would have no choice but to barely get any games, unless I want to extra on the net bill as well as paying for a 10 gig download, games are getting pretty big these days.

 

[Doom-Slayer]

Physical games are almost never cheaper here as I live on the other side of the world( New Zealand). The only time I buy physical is when I preorder to get goodies.

 

[suitepee7]

i pretty much already have. although everyone is getting worked up about games being lost forever if only digital, i have the reverse. see on a pc, you usually have to activate a game with a CD key, which can be deactivated after one use in most recent cases. meanwhile, i lose my physical disks a lot of the time, so theres actually less risk for me

 

[Harlemura]

I'd be okay with it. I prefer physical copies because, like people have said, I can still play the game if my gaming platform kicks the bucket. Only reason I'd be against digital-only is if between now and when that happens, instruction books make a comeback.
I miss the days when games came with an extra thing to read on the loo. Now all we get is a leaflet advertising more games.

 

[lacktheknack]

I'd be a bit annoyed. However, it depends on the kind of digital we're talking about:

-Machine locked: I'd be pretty annoyed.

-gog.com style DRM-free: I'd dance through the streets rejoicing.

 

[Sonic Doctor]

If I can buy a physical copy, I do it.

Plus it is fun to just sit an look at my collection, all the titles and different artwork. It just isn't the same with a digital list, a digital list feels a bit soulless when I look at it.

I made a few virtual store purchases on my Wii back when I first got it, but since then I feel like it was a mistake, that the money would have better been spent getting the physical retro copies of those games, because that would mean I would always have them if something happened to my Wii. Plus it feels like a complete experience when I play the games with the controller they were meant for.

Also considering that many old games are sold for more than 5 dollars digitally, 9 times out of 10 it tends to be cheaper to by a retro copy from E-Bay.

 

[Whispering Cynic]

I don't trust any service where access to your own games can be taken away with a push of a button by some meatbag half a world away so no, I wouldn't be okay with it. Physical copies are cheaper where I live (bought my Witcher 2 copy for an equivalent of 36 EUR when it was released, while those jokers on Steam wanted 50 EUR for it) and tend to have goodies.

 

[Sonic Doctor]

I'd be okay with it. I prefer physical copies because, like people have said, I can still play the game if my gaming platform kicks the bucket. Only reason I'd be against digital-only is if between now and when that happens, instruction books make a comeback.
I miss the days when games came with an extra thing to read on the loo. Now all we get is a leaflet advertising more games.

But that's what a fancy mobile device is for, so you can take it to the loo and use your wireless net access that you should have by now to read your digital download copy of the instruction book. -Sarcasm-

I hear ya. I think the last time I got a game that actually had a reasonable instruction book was Halo 3, but even then I could see that they were on the way out.

It still irks me when I buy a new release game, and then open it up and other than the disk, all there is, if that, is a little card that either has some basic controller layout or a digital item download card for whatever extra DLC came with the game.

 

[Souplex]

Why would anyone want something so terrible?

 

[EeveeElectro]

Well I wouldn't get ID'd for 15 rated games any more. And that time for a 12.

I'd have no problem with it, less clutter, no discs to get scratched the hell and no need to get off my ass and change games!

 

[Imre Csete]

Physical copies give me a sense of ownership (even if I technically own the right to use their licence lol), something a game title on my account can't really do.

The only thing I think digital format is useful for, is providing safety backup in case the discs/gaming platforms get damaged.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

I only buy physical copies, whether they are books, albums or video games. I really do not like spending money on digital files, never have. I hold a somewhat old-school mentality I suppose, call it a collectors mentality if you will. I like actually having the physical product, something to show for it. I like filling my shelves with what I consider my passions. That's just me, and I'm never going to spend a cent on digital files unless it's something like an expansion pack. I can understand that, but full games? Never.

And regarding the collectors mentality. I don't care what you say, a number of MP3s or folders on a hard drive isn't a collection of anything.

 

[moggett88]

I am perfectly happy with the industry going digital only, but two things have to happen first - first, the infrastructure had to be improved. It can take hours for a small game to download through steam at the moment, and I generally buy way after release day. I don't see current infrastructure being able to cope with launch day numbers attempting to download a AAA title at the same time. Second, a new price point needs to be set, to make people feel better about losing the physical copy and the ability to sell the games on.

I am hoping both happen soon though, I hate the amount of space taken up by games in my flat at the moment!

 

[Evil Smurf]

I only ever buy digital games so I would not care.