PSXE Poll Update: We Still Prefer Physical Media

The debate continues to rage: how do gamers feel about the seemingly inevitable switch to digital media that may be in full swing within the next few years?

Personally, I've already spoken about my stance on the issue, and while I can appreciate the benefits of digital downloads, I still think it isn't the same as having a physical, tangible video game collection. So it's kinda cool that the majority of you agree with me; most of you say it's "okay," but you still prefer disc-based media, and I'm guessing it's because you value your collections as highly as I do. However, perhaps it won't matter what we think; there may come a day when purchasing the latest and greatest video game will only be a matter of logging on to the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace and hitting a few buttons. That's cool and all, but there will always be something special about having that case and keeping it in your collection, and perhaps a bit of pride in keeping your favorites in perfect mint condition. But at least we don't have to worry about a full takeover any time soon; analysts say it's not really feasible until the vast majority of consumers can have easy access (as easy as simply picking it up off a store shelf, basically).

This week's poll is expected: as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves released this past week and many of you have had sufficient time to get acquainted with it, what's your analysis of Naughty Dog's gem? Is it really one of the best games ever made, or is it very much overrated? Or something in between? Make your vote count and reward the developers as you see fit.

10/18/2009 9:37:17 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (59 posts)

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Cpt_Geez
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 10:07:04 PM
Reply

Yeah I still rather have physical media any day. With digital it just feels like I still don't own the game.

9 up, 1 down

Lemon_Saint
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 10:28:08 PM
Reply

I am proud of my video game collection ... owning just a virtual version is definitely not something I want to happen to all games in the future. The smaller titles out there (Flower, Bionic Commando, Echochrome, ETC.), are fine to have digital copies of, but I will always treasure my collection.

As far as the poll goes, I just nabbed a copy of Uncharted 2 today ... wow, wow, and wow. My jaw dropped continuously as I played through the first three hours ... here's hoping the rest of the game exceeds my expectations. The opening was probably one of the best I have seen ever. Within five minutes of playing, I was already scooched up to the edge of my couch. A-mazing!

7 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 10:38:29 PM
Reply

Download games.....heh, in the First World nations, people wouldn't mind but of course there are those who does as well.
But Third World nations have crappy network with crappy speed, how long do you think it would take us to download 9GB of data, let alone 50GB.

0 up, 0 down

bomba2812
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 10:48:33 PM

yeah imagine downloading metal gear solid 4 it would take days lol

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:02:19 PM

Yeah, but you're missing something. Everything keeps getting faster; it wasn't that long ago when everyone was on 14.4 modems. Than 24 modems were super fast. Then there was a time when T1 lines were the cream of the crop.

The bottom line is that there's no way they've maxed out the delivery speed of data. It didn't take long to exponentially increase that speed so delivering even 50GB of data in five or six years may not take longer than a few hours (if that). You just can't tell.

1 up, 0 down

buckoboy1
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:09:35 PM

YES! i agree, im in new zealand and the broadband speed here would probably be slower than your dial up, i will stick with the good ol fashion disks

1 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:34:19 PM

Well Ben, how many KB per second when you download stuff?
In Malaysia we download at best, 50KB or a bit more.
Downloading one episode of anime takes about half an hour when the line is in 'perfect' shape while sometimes it takes way more than that.

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:42:21 PM

@ Bukoboy

Yeah New Zealand FTW!
And my Broadband is even slower coz' we traded some of it's speed for unlimited download from Telecom.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 12:42:01 AM

Maybe you guys are missing the point. What I mean is, it doesn't matter how fast we can download something NOW. That's entirely irrelevant as download speeds continue to get faster and faster.

2 up, 1 down

Juanalf
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 12:46:20 AM

"even 50GB of data in five or six years may not take longer than a few hours (if that)"

Wasn't Sony going to begin using the 320GB Blu-Ray disc in 2010 for gaming and hybrid purposes.So even if the downloading speeds increase so will the size of the games.

2 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 4:27:50 AM

They would have to have free universal wifi or something. I hear thats the plan for the US. I currently rock 25+Mb/sec (crappy upload at .90 because of location.) so I assume free wifi would be a step down.

I definitely think it is coming just the architecture isn't there yet. They can try something like a discount for downloading games. I think that approach will entice the more affluent countries.

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 10/19/2009 4:28:14 AM

0 up, 0 down

slackernz
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 6:52:48 AM

yay to NZers that aren't Xbox fanboys!

I'm with Xnet and can get download speeds of about 600KB/s.. Sure it can't compete with Scandinavia or some crazy asian country broadband speeds.. but it's decent

0 up, 0 down

LowKey
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 7:22:45 AM

also Ben speed and time wouldn't be the issue in Canada as we have bandwidth caps, most people have 60gb/mo and d/ling a 50 gb game would use up all but 10gb. then thats all wed have for gaming for the rest of the month, also dont forget about updates and whatnot. DM is a really bad idea especially for us Canadians.

0 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 10:51:15 PM
Reply

I think switching to all digital would be the worst thing to ever happen to gaming. I think it would start there and get progressively worse, for gamers as a whole. The government already tried to apply a sin tax to games, lets not do anything to reignite that lightbulb...

2 up, 1 down

Juanalf
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:00:55 PM
Reply

I have no problem with them adding the big titles to PSN(third party titles)and XBL; just as long as is being released simultaneously in disc format.I think is best for consumers to have a choice in the matter.As for the poll question, It didn't take me long to pick the first option simply because it's currently blowing me away like no other game has.

0 up, 0 down

to_far_apart
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:04:18 PM
Reply

Honestly, i prefer physical media over digital media, there's just something about having in the palm of your hands, rather in your hard drive. I mean say your hard drive fails and you lose everything on it? Granted, i know you can recover the game/movie with a call to the company or with a code (forgive me, I'm not sure since i've never purchased digital media) but i rather have a physical copy of that game or movie on hand right next to me. Let's face it, little by little digital media will take over becoming he medium for entertainment, but all things aside, i prefer having it with me. Look at itunes for example, everything is distributed digitally, now i don't know how many of you feel, but there's just something about having a CD then just having music on your itunes. I have roughly anywhere between 200-300 CD's i mean i'm a music fanatic, but there's just something about having a CD. Call me weird, but that's just me.

As for Uncharted 2, the first word that comes to mind is amazing. Now I'm no hardcore gamer who's played every game and has played every genre there is, but i have played the big names like Halo, MGS Final Fantasy, Mario, etc. (correct me if i need to exclude/include any) Now many of you may think why i don't include a game like gears in here, the reason being, however, is that these games I've mentioned share a similarity, that they have changed gaming, whether it be revolutionary or evolutionary. Now after spending time with Uncharted 2, there's just one thing that tells me it's a great game: it's just to much damn fun. I mean this is one of those few rare gems that you can't stop playing, which is on your mind when you're done, the game you want to get back to playing after a short break. This alone should be common to those who have all played. Apart from the visuals, which are truly breath taking, a controller system which is fun and simple, and a story which is, although cliche, works perfectly, i think what makes this game stand out from most is that it factor. These feats alone should warrant it as one of the best produced games ever. It's just fun. Granted, this game isn't for everybody. You maybe a fan of first person shooters or a huge RPG fan, but anyone who is a video game love can't deny the fact that Uncharted 2 is one hell of a game. Anyone who considers themselves a part of the gaming industry have to applaud Naughty Dog for such an astounding job. I know i'll get some heat because I'm not hardcore gamer or I'm excluding some games which have changed gaming, but you can't argue the fact that Uncharted 2 maybe one of the best games ever. This is one of those games you just can't stop playing, and when was the last time a game has given you that? I know that one of the few that's given me that feeling is Mario, i can still play that all day today. Uncharted 2 just has that it factor and not many games have the quality.

Naughty Dog you have nailed it with this rare gem, i applaud you with your efforts, it shows completely.

7 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:06:34 PM
Reply

I finished uncharted 1! ;DDD It was pretty good. Id rate it 10/10

I would rather have physical media when it comes to home consoles (like ps3). But i would rather have digital media when it comes to portable consoles (like he psp go)

Last edited by SnipeySnake on 10/18/2009 11:18:04 PM

4 up, 0 down

Reccaman18
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:15:16 PM

Then you're gonna love Uncharted 2!

0 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:21:32 PM

Im actually gonna get Bayonetta first(>.<). Unless i get a job before 2010.

1 up, 4 down

johnld
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 1:03:08 AM

I would get uncharted 2 vs. bayonetta. 1. theres multiplayer. 2. its the best game this generation. 3. from what i hear, the ps3 version is the inferior port because platinum games handed of development of the port to sega. This is just me because i refuse to support developers that gives people a game and a half assed port and pass it off as multiplatform. like i said, sega did the port and i commend them for trying. But i hate the fact that platinum games say that they are making a multiplatform game but only do one of the platforms themselves and hands port development to someone else. I suggest a discounted price for half ass ports of a game.

7 up, 0 down

www
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 10:01:54 AM

SnipeySnake! Getting Bayonetta a crappy port OVER Uncharted 2? WOW!!!!

3 up, 0 down

Juanalf
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 10:59:47 AM

C'mon guys, maybe he wants Bayonetta a lot more then he wants U2 which is why he wants to get it first(it happens).That being said I hope SnipeySnake has a 360 to play Bayonetta on since that looks to be the definitive version of the game.

0 up, 1 down

Alienange
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:21:20 PM
Reply

Publishers will no doubt push for as much DLC as possible as it seems like easy money to me. As for it replacing physical, that's just silly talk. The only time we want to pay for something and leave with nothing is in restaurants.

3 up, 1 down

SnipeySnake
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:22:32 PM

That took me a while but i got it lmao

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 1:04:59 AM

we'll have dlc episodes instead of a complete game since there wont be any proof/physical copy to show what a complete game would be. hahaha.

Last edited by johnld on 10/19/2009 1:05:17 AM

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:43:38 PM
Reply

Okay so..

If it's all digital then how will our buddies that design discs make munniez?

;)

0 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 3:37:16 AM

They kill Heartless and Nobodies ofcourse!

1 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 7:23:24 AM

Dont worry, the government will step in and save the failing disc industry. Its apparently their job to save businesses nobody cares about any more.

0 up, 2 down

xnonsuchx
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:46:29 PM
Reply

I think the publishers like digital downloads because that = NO TRADE-INS/RESELLING! There are still FAR too many people w/o decent high-speed Internet to make it an ONLY option, though.

Last edited by xnonsuchx on 10/18/2009 11:46:40 PM

0 up, 0 down

Aftab
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:52:22 PM
Reply

I'll have to play through the U2 a couple times and a good deal of mp before I give an answer, but it is definitely at least GOTY calibre.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ 11:58:36 PM
Reply

theres no was digital distribution will take over anytime soon.
besides speeds, and bandwidth issues, you really think retailers are going to take this lying down?
GAME and EB refuse to sell the psp go because of exactly that.
its overpriced and they barely make any money off it.
retailers make a massive profit off used games, so if we go into DD only not only are they loosing out on selling new games there loosing out on old ones too.
i cant believe how lazy some people are these days, i mean seriously how hard is it to drive down to the store?
i normally have to drive for 40 minutes than spend at least 20 looking for a parking spot and im not complaining.
its just illogical it causes more hassle than what it solves.
what if your Internets down?
which happens to me at least once a week, because every friggin time it rains water gets into the lines and stuffs the net up.
what if your HDD kicks the bucket.
its creating more problems than its solving.
plus at the rate IPs are charging for bandwidth you would need a job just to pay for your internet let alone anything else.
30GB per month is the largest i have available to me and there charging 160 bucks per month for that.
to me its just illogical.
if something is creating more problems than its fixing why would you want it?

onlive.
now thats something im willing to dive into.
turn the system on and play the games off there servers no downloading or anything.
assuming the streaming rate is not to high, according to M$ once instant 1080P on is available for movies each movie streamed takes up roughly 6GBs.
if streaming a movie takes 6GBs id hate to see what a full game does.

0 up, 2 down

johnld
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 1:10:20 AM

who cares about gamestop and their profits, it doesnt do anything for you. These digital downloads will be found at the playstation store or xbox live marketplace. As for retailers, they can sell vouchers for people who dont like paying online. Sure gamestop sells used games at a lower price but 5 bucks difference compared to the profit they make, screw them. The publishers themselves can probably host downloads for their games which could mean that you can find older games easier. I for one wouldnt mind the death of gamestop or at least becoming a normal game retailer selling only new games.

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 12:44:34 AM
Reply

Can't vote on this new poll

I can't say it's better than MGS4 or LittleBigPlanet

But it certainly is in the SAME level as those two.

That said it's one of the best games I've ever played so far.

3 up, 0 down

A2K78
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 1:10:02 AM
Reply

digital distribution in the end is a failed project and one which is showing the signs of being so.

Overall physical media is much better because unlike digital, phyiscal media not only have value, it can acquire more value over time. Why do you think copies of games like PD:Saga and Radiant Silvergun have a price tags of up to $300 on the secondhand market?

1 up, 1 down

johnld
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 1:12:38 AM
Reply

I still prefer the physical media. It looks good on my shelf. plus i dont want to redownload everything i bought just like what i needed to do with dlc and game contents i bought off the psn store when my ps3 died and i couldnt restore most of my backup data because its a new ps3.

1 up, 0 down

Qwarktast1c
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 1:20:50 AM
Reply

i don't mind DLC, but full on DL titles i don't like

1 up, 0 down

Banky A
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 3:23:52 AM
Reply

Seriously, I won't be able to make a living from designing discs if it's all DLC lol

Haha.

0 up, 0 down

Jalex
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 4:19:59 AM
Reply

I think it's great that we have an alternative to purchasing games from a physical store, as more choice is almost always a great thing.
But I personally can't see myself not choosing a nice-looking case, possibly with artwork, to...well...nothing at all.

As for 'Among Thieves', even though I had heard only the best things about it, I was still stunned at how extremely polished it was. And I definitely think it's the best game I've played so far this year.
Of course, I've yet to play 'Assassin's Creed II' and I seriously think that that has a chance to match or surpass 'Among Thieves.'

1 up, 0 down

Antu
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 6:04:00 AM
Reply

it isn't like that i live in asia bangladesh . My parents dont have credit cards & psn card's not available in my country . So... how the hell am i suppose to buy games if this digital thing starts .
PSN or X-box must solve this problem first. cause i am not the only one facing this problem thousands of ppl will face this problem if this digital downloads .We even dont have high speed internet .So u r telling me to quit gaming for not living in high class country ? answer me .....?

Last edited by Antu on 10/19/2009 6:08:55 AM

1 up, 0 down

blaqsmyth
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 6:32:33 AM
Reply

i say physical media is the only way to go cause u can actually see what u spent your hard earned money on as for downloading gamed off psn to your hdd what if it should crash you'd lose all your game data

0 up, 1 down

blaqsmyth
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 6:34:34 AM
Reply

does sony have any app that ur game to your hdd cuz i like to keep my disc in mint condition

0 up, 0 down

LowKey
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 7:11:02 AM
Reply

The biggest problem I see with digital media is what if your account gets banned? the account that u use for the store is gone and you cant acess all the stuff you bought. Anyone else think of that?

0 up, 0 down

RyanJones
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 7:14:03 AM
Reply

I can just imagine the joy of having to wait for Uncharted 2 to download, and the amount of HDD space it would consume.

1 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 7:22:00 AM
Reply

DRM will kill us all. When i buy something i dont want to leave the manufacturer in control of it. Downloading a drm infested game is like buying a new Focus with the stipulation that you can't sell it back later and Ford can at any time revoke your ability to drive it.

I imported R&C:Q4B for this reason. I paid $25 for it, but it was totally worth it. If for some reason i have to sell my ps3 and games i can actually get something back from the Q4B disc. I cant get jack out of the downloaded version.

2 up, 0 down

Milonakis
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 7:33:45 AM
Reply

no smoking your a fool. You can redownload a game you buy DLC up to five times. You can also do it on different systems so you can split game prices with friends.

0 up, 5 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 10:17:14 AM

Drop the name-calling.

3 up, 0 down

LowKey
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 2:55:50 PM

BUT NOT IF YOUR ACCT. GETS BANNED. Jeeze doesnt anybody listen to me?

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 4:31:26 PM

Oh wow! 5 times ! How generous for something I PAID FOR !

2 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 5:36:10 PM

Yes, how nice of Sony to limit me to 5 downloads of something i paid for! I am overwhelmed by their generosity.

My R&C disc can, on the other hand, be used on every single ps3 on the planet as many times as i want with whatever account i want, internet access or not, with no wait for a download.

Yeah... downloads are so much better

I'm also pretty sure that sharing the game with friends goes against the EULA. Which means it could get you banned. Then you just spent your cash on a game you cant play.
If i get banned for whatever reason i still have all of my games. Interesting, eh?

Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 10/19/2009 5:38:02 PM

1 up, 0 down

JackC8
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 8:19:13 AM
Reply

Even if internet speeds increase drastically in the next few years, allowing today's games to be downloaded in less than a day, there are still vast portions of the world where technology lags far behind. And large chunks of America where cable internet lines don't run. If these companies are intent on eliminating physical media, are they just going to write off all those customers? Don't have 100 mbps internet? Don't need you as a customer. I don't think so. They should be damned happy anytime somebody actually purchases one of the current gen consoles - which have hard drives that aren't even close to being large enough to store a downloaded game collection. Talking about people buying new consoles with 10 terabyte drives, using internet speeds which may or may not be available in the near future...yeah, good luck with that.

0 up, 0 down

isaya85
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 8:42:20 AM
Reply

physical media FTW !!!

0 up, 0 down

AshT
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 9:04:06 AM
Reply

only way i wud prefer digital download over physical media is if the price of download is half the disc price

1 up, 0 down

killzone100
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 9:56:10 AM
Reply

The ability to take a game round a friends house and play is still very attractive to me.

0 up, 0 down

www
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 10:17:57 AM

Unless the HDDs are removable, I'm sure you'll be carrying them around too.

0 up, 0 down

www
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 10:17:00 AM
Reply

Yea well, guess you'll never know, maybe we'll be loving digital after all. Cause I remember I used to bash Compact Discs for being so delicate opposed to Cartridges. Now we here loving discs.

I fully agree with Ben, I believe at the time were digital is the norm we woulda had fast internet speeds so downloading 10GBs of games may take the same time downloading demos now. Technology gets better, I don't think it gets worse, if it wouldn't be possible to have those bandwiths and speeds and all, I'm sure the industry will stick with the discs. Though I still love the box arts and overall package btw...

Now with Uncharted 2, hopefully I get mine today after putting several hours into the epic FiFA 10, I'm a proud owner of the best soccer game this gen. Uncharted 2 couldn't take the no. 1 spot from FiFA 10 in the UK, duh I know its cause its multi-plat but all the same its a good look for FiFA 10. If you're a soccer fan and you don't have FiFA 10,pfft! I know Uncharted 2 will be the best game for me this generation since the first, and for this year, after Resident Evil 5.

0 up, 0 down

556pineapple
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 12:45:27 PM
Reply

I just got DiRT 2 last week and had it autographed by Ken Block, whose car is pictured on the cover of the case. I'd rather have an autograph on my case instead of my hard-drive.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 3:12:45 PM
Reply

With all the problems I'm having with the Playstation Store. I never want to be forced to rely on all digital formats. Again last night I tried to rent an movie and it won't download. Times out. Gives me 80710723 code. I noticed all of the files Ive tried to download are 2gb or bigger. But anything under 2gb downloads fine.

Anyone got any ideas?

0 up, 0 down

Diggity Dan
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 @ 5:47:19 PM

Jawknee,

You might want to try calling Sony Cust service...there might be some weird settings on your PSN account.

I've found Sony Cust Service to be extremely helpful and polite.

Last edited by Diggity Dan on 10/20/2009 5:47:30 PM

0 up, 0 down

Metal Head
Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 7:43:51 PM
Reply

What I love about digital media is that you can buy the games you missed out. I prefer physical media but what happens when they discontinued the system and it dies? What will happen to all ps2 games when the system gets axed?.

1 up, 0 down

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PSXE Poll Update: We Still Prefer Physical Media

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