Comments on: How You Want Your Games Served: Digital Or Physical?

By: DtD Software

DtD Software — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:45:56 +0000

I preffer using Steam for pretty much everything, I know that Steam’s DRM actually works, there are no discs to worry about/loose, and the Steam community (EG: the built-in chatting and stuff) is a great way to communicate with friends. You may not be able sell your games, but that’s just business, isn’t it? ;)

~DtD

By: Juuso

Juuso — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:27:59 +0000

Thomas: how many 10 year old games are you playing today? :)

Pretty interesting results – almost split votes. I thought it could have been bigger pro-digital already.

By: Thomas D.

Thomas D. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:52:45 +0000

Steam reminds me of another problem with downloads: What do I do with my downloaded game if Steam is down 10 years from now and I want to play, say, Bioshock (This is more of a problem with DRM, but still).

By: Lamonte - Gaming Blog

Lamonte - Gaming Blog — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:32:40 +0000

Digital, because as long as you have your email account that is secure if you reformat you can just redownload it (steam) if you break your disc, your screwed looking for a torrent (some torrents aren’t safe because they could steal your serial key)

By: Katherine

Katherine — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:31:20 +0000

I prefer digital download, as long as it is done well. I don’t mind long download times, and I prefer not to have to hunt out the disc when I want to play a game. As long as I can install it anywhere, can download it an unlimited number of times if I need to reinstall, then I prefer digital. I can browse online stores more easily than real world stores, I am more aware of what game just came out or what is on sale, I can view reviews and trailers while at the ‘store’.

Basically I am a raving Steam fan.

By: MrPhil

MrPhil — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:09:56 +0000

I like digital download as long as it has a digital locker connected to the sale. Steam is example of a system I like. I can play the game when I like without hassle, at any time, even years later, I can install and play. I have noticed lately that not all the games they sell now work that way. It’s too bad. I almost bought “Dawn of Discovery” yesterday through Steam, but when I noticed they used a different DRM system I passed.

As for the price point, in the end if people are willing to pay $x for a game, the form it comes in doesn’t matter to most. So, unless you can convince most gamers digital downloads should be less, I doubt they ever will. Most consumers are simple making the “is this game worth $x” decision. Ancillary issues don’t enter the formula for most.

By: Toni Mäkinen

Toni Mäkinen — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:07:42 +0000

I like both but I went for physical copy. The collector in me likes to have actual object to touch but if I can install the game by downloading it, I will.

By: Russell

Russell — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:32:20 +0000

A few other factors to consider…

Environmentally it’s much better to download. The production of plastics and consumption of fuels used for the creation of packaged materials and delivery of products is really not worth it for me. Think of how much waste is produced and fuel consumed for all of the boxed video games purchased in one year on this planet. And very little of it is really necessary. Keep the servers running so I can download, that’s all I need. The factories and shipping vehicles I don’t.

Second… the middlemen. I purchase from the developer when possible, and keep the chain as small as possible when I can’t. It’s 2009. Do I really need to pay Gamestop or Best Buy (US retail stores) for their services when I really don’t need them?

By: Sargon

Sargon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:12:48 +0000

For me, it depends.
Depends on the game, depends on the box I will get.
Today, most boxed games comes with a simple plastic case, and a really small or even no actual manual.
If a game has a cardboard box, with nice art work and if the game is something I am really excpecting(*cough* Diablo3), I will more likely buy a boxed version. I will possibly buy the special edition.
But if its a game I want to quickly start playing, and I have no need to build up my anticipation, I will prefer to buy and get it as quickly as possible. Usually that means via a download purchase.

By: Jim Perry

Jim Perry — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:33:51 +0000

I’m with Thomas D. Especially if the controls are fairly complex, it’s nice to be able to have the manual open to the Controls page. If I had the option to install the game to the HDD completely so that the disc isn’t required that would be great. The industry for some reason still doesn’t understand that requiring the disc to be in the drive just to play the game (even if the game is completely installed to the HDD) is idiotic and doesn’t stop pirates.