Explain How This All-Digital Crap Is Preferable In Any Way
See Full ImageMost seem to agree that the future of the video game industry is digital. Sadly, I think the future of a great many things in this world lies in the cold and remote digital realm.
For the record, I am not against progression or advancement. I'm not against technology. What I'm against is the deification of enhanced technology that defies common sense and utilizes smoke and mirrors to create the illusion of progression.
The appeal of digital seems absolutely nonexistent to me. One can argue download speeds will get faster and despite the increasing size of games, all games will eventually be delivered digitally. All right. Say that works fine. Say it saves you a trip to the store. I understand the argument; it means you save on gas, save yourself the headache of (God forbid) having to go outside and interact with other humans for scant seconds, and saves you - ideally - time. So say you download the game you've been waiting for and you're all happy.
Explain to me the next day. Or the next year. Explain to me what happens when your hard drive shits the bed. Explain what happens when a file gets corrupted (yeah, it has been known to happen). Explain how uploading to the cloud, saving on a USB or backing up in some other way, is somehow supposed to make our lives easier, simpler, or faster. Explain how updates, patches, DRM, and downloadable content is more efficient or more practical. Explain to me how something as trivial as a power outage can royally screw your gaming hobby in the future, while decades ago, it just made me lose my place. It didn't mean I couldn't get my damn game from the store.
Twenty five years go - a full quarter-century - I put a game into a system, pressed a button and played.
Yes, everything is vastly more advanced today. I get that. But I'm really not convinced that even the best advancements we've got are worth the future headaches that I'm anticipating. We've already reached the point where playing on a console feels suspiciously like playing on a PC, what with the patches and constant "connected" incentives and requirements. Now you tell me delivering a game digitally is preferable or better? What if my connection just gives out halfway through? What if there's a flippin' power outage? What if I want to upgrade to a new system later on? How long will it take to transfer game files and game saves in my collection? What, do I black out a whole day on my calendar?
I fail to see how any of this is better, besides the obvious fact that this will allow the industry to save some money. The packaging and shipping aspect is very expensive, after all. But that should translate to cheaper costs, yes? If the physical copy of a game costs the same as the digital copy (and it often does right now), what's the point? Just so we can point at another video screen and go, "looky looky at what I'm doing now!" In foreseeing the potential problems involved, the sheer amount of irritation, frustration and yes, time lost on dealing with this digital crap is beyond ridiculous.
The worst part is that the seemingly mindless younger generations, who may already be partly robotic due to spending the majority of their lives staring at a video screen already, don't seem to get it. For those of us living in the real world, it's painfully obvious. This is all besides the fact that a tangible physical collection should be far, far more important to anyone who actually cares about this hobby. Oh, and I could spend a lot longer talking about the constant threat of identity theft completely invading this industry if everything goes digital; I don't know about you, but I'll miss a time when I could play a game without having to worry about who just stole my personal info. But I suppose nobody notices or cares.
Tags: gaming, gaming industry, video games, digital games, physical media, downloadable games
9/10/2012 8:53:21 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (77 posts)
xenris
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 9:35:45 PM
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Is this just a method of DRM? I feel like companies think digital only would eliminate piracy and used game sales etc, when in fact it still happens on PC and actually a lot on the Xbox as well so this would do little to combat that.
The biggest thing for me though is that if say everything went digital you damn well better slash your games prices by close to half. If you only get 15-30% from a gamestop sale you should sell the digital version at 39.99 or 49.99 at the very least. Prove to me that there is an advantage to digital console games, otherwise I'll stick to my steam sales.
However EA has already proven with origin that they don't plan on giving people a discount for buying directly from them even though sales would probably go up.
I personally like having collections to some degree, and I don't think games will be all digital for a while.
4 up, 0 down
firesoul453
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 9:48:46 PM
(atleast all music now is drm free, but still digital)
If they fix some of these problems by making them DRM free, then there is no reason not to offer a disk.
(and about hackers, don't forget there are good ones, and they keep large companies on there toes)
1 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:07:07 PM
I was pretty impressed by Origin's customer service. I emailed them asking to convert my Bad Company 2 key from another, now defunct, distributor, to my Origin account. Within a couple hours they responded and "gladly" converted the game into my Origin library.
2 up, 0 down
xenris
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 8:56:16 AM
I know that those concerns are mostly non issues and would be ironed out however I dunno I think having both options would be good.
Also thats impressive with the BF2 thing. I was more talking about prices but it is good that EA has customer service that is that...good :P
0 up, 0 down
Shatterday
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 9:48:40 PM
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I'm getting older and I only have time for the big ones, RE, FF, maybe COD just to stay "hip" with my little brother and for these new games I just don't care whether they're digital or not. Special edition trinkets are cool sometimes.
0 up, 5 down
ulsterscot
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:04:06 PM
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1 up, 3 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:14:26 PM
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Today someone accidentally mailed me a mint copy of Ghouls n Ghosts for Genesis (I haven't had that console in ages) and I was like immediately transported back in time. Here was an actual CARTRIDGE!! Reminded me of the plug and play days.
3 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:32:37 PM
2 up, 2 down
telly
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:44:34 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 11:21:52 AM
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Ludicrous_Liam
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:48:25 PM
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CrusaderForever
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:14:52 PM
Reply
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:33:54 PM
And by the way, cutting down on "impulse buying" and completely eliminating any shopping around whatsoever is NEVER a good thing for business. Not ever.
3 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:38:18 PM
Actually, a few months ago, I had sent Ben an article that GameStop's working on a new program to re-sell downloadable games and DLC, but they wouldn't reveal too much more at the time. Stay tuned.
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Coffeya
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:46:38 PM
This put a big smile on my face. You do realize that can change in a blink of an eye? Oh hold on... didn't it already happen in Europe.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:13:32 PM
I've got a few downloads I wish I hadn't bought on impulse.
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Rogueagent01
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 11:04:32 AM
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CrusaderForever
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:01:01 PM
As far as Gamestop goes, they may not go away but an all digital world will hurt them unless they can offer digital games at a discounted price compared to the PSN. Why would I drive/NET browse to Gamestop when I can download it from the PSN for the same price? I for one want Sony to get all that money, not Gamestop.
I know Gamestop has a plan to have trade in/resell used digital product but how? Seriously, how? Once I click on something in the PSN to buy it's always mine even if I don't download it. As long as it has the red Playstation symbol next to it. Gamestop would have to work with Sony to be able to remove said purchased digital title from my PSN account. That is the only way I can see Gamestop selling/allowing trade ins for used digital products.
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CrusaderForever
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:18:27 PM
For me digital shopping makes me way more vigilant! I know there is no going back once I purchase digital. I do more research, read reviews and look for demos. If it's something that has been out for a while I really enjoy reading the user reviews since they are more likely to be as honest as possible.
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Rogueagent01
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:30:36 PM
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CrusaderForever
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 2:54:59 PM
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Knightzane
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:25:43 PM
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Rogueagent01
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 11:12:02 AM
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BikerSaint
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:29:10 PM
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I'm in a 1000% agreement with you.
And it seems to me more & more like some of this tech is destroying our enjoyment of gaming, rather that enhancing it.
And even more so for those of us who are also gaming collectors, as I fear the future of expanding our gaming collections are quickly nearing the end of existence as more & more games go the dreaded "D/L only" route.
1 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:15:05 PM
2 up, 0 down
tes37
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:20:14 PM
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:26:28 PM
1 up, 0 down
tes37
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:33:46 PM
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BikerSaint
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:09:26 AM
Yeah, you & World must mean those guys that came from the Planet URanus, LOL
(just like where my one down-vote stalker seems to have come from)
Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/11/2012 12:14:03 AM
2 up, 0 down
Rogueagent01
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:43:04 PM
I feel bad for the kids and grandkids of some of the people from this younger generation as they will have next to nothing to leave them since they don't see any reason to own physical anything.
1 up, 0 down
tes37
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:30:35 PM
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1 up, 1 down
Coffeya
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:54:08 PM
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Another thing, I can't believe they didn't make the god of war saga all physical. If people wanted digital then just make a more cheaper all digital and a more expensive all physical. Give consumers the options. You can buy music both physical and digital. They don't give you a weird mix bag unless you tried to do it yourself.
I understand infamous, yet it still would have been nice to make it all physical. If your going to milk god of war damn it then do it right! Hell, journey collection was all physical.
Last edited by Coffeya on 9/10/2012 10:56:11 PM
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:04:03 PM
0 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:53:00 PM
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gunblademaster
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:09:23 AM
-_-
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Dancemachine55
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 11:58:53 PM
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While I do agree that patches, on-disc DLC, incomplete games with DLC released to complete it are all horrible new practices created by big shot companies looking to nickel and dime every gamer out there, I believe digital delivery is actually quite a good system.
Sure, our digital games are a "permanent rental" so long as the digital service is still running and we remember our username and password AND use the service as per the terms and conditions.
Steam allows us to play our games offline so long as they are downloaded and single player games. As long as my computer works and I remember my username and password, my games are all there, ready to play.
There's no discs to scratch, no physical thing to lose or let friends borrow who don't give it back and then forget about it. If I lose my computer (which has happened when updating many parts) I just reinstall Steam, log in and re-download all my games in order of what I want to play most.
The only downside in terms of all digital is the fact that I can't trade my games once I'm done with them. It's kinda why I buy games on console first, and if I love it, buy it on Steam and trade the console game. Plus, Steam sales have games so cheap that being tied to an online service to play them is not an issue to me.
Also Ben, don't mistake forced multiplayer and always-on DRM with the downside of getting games digitally.
Many digital games can be played offline. Instead of inserting a disc or cartridge, you're just botting the game up from a menu, and that's what I love so much about Steam. Not only that, but like I said, you lose your computer or the game on your HDD and you can just redownload it as many times as you want!!! Why? Cos it's already been labelled as purchased on your account, so it will always be there for you to get again and again.
I do not know a single brick and mortar store that would let you do that. If you lose the game disc, no store will let you come in with the receipt and let you take another copy of the same game free of charge. THAT is the beauty of digital.
Let me just say I hate what big name companies are doing with multiplayer and DRM. Game cases stuffed with codes. Always-on online DRM like Diablo III required to play the single player story!!! Capcom selling additional characters as DLC when they are already on the disc!!! Activision selling map packs for $25 in Australia!! Mass Effect 3 requiring an Origin account just to play the game's story!!! Heck, I even hated the Orange Box forcing me to use Steam when it was still in its infancy and terrible!!
The only two deciding factors for me between getting the game physically or digitally is now a matter of the game's size and the price. Steam wins with games smaller than 15GB and less than $20. The advantages of digital distribution far outweigh the disadvantages. In terms of price, Steam has everyone else beat!! Gears of War on 360 costs $12 at my local EB, or it's $25 on Xbox Live, digitally. THAT'S where digital fails. Steam offers games at a third or a quarter of the price of brick and mortar stores, and that's why it wins in my book.
Summary:
Digital distribution = good
DRM = Bad
On-disc DLC = bad
Overpriced digital games = bad
The only people who love physical games are those with the shelf space for it. I'd rather keep that shelf space free for books and photos.
4 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:45:39 AM
This is never an issue with digital distributors and I'd imagine they determine sales in consideration of other factors, and not over having an influx of inventory.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/11/2012 1:46:13 AM
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Ultimadream
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 2:43:09 AM
1 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:17:08 AM
Don't quote me on this story. But I'm pretty sure this is what I read/heard
Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/11/2012 10:17:40 AM
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Rogueagent01
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 11:31:39 AM
The nice thing about physical copies of anything is the fact that you outright own them(even though it is technically a rental). Look at the case with Bruce Willis right now, he is sueing Apple because he wants to leave his iTunes library to his kids and Apple said no, you are renting that property. If digital would be treated the same as physical I would be much more willing to back it, but the big companies know they have you by the balls with it and can do whatever they want, and eventually greed will rear its ugly head.
Physical will always be better in my opinion...don't get me wrong either, I have bought some games digitally, mainly the ones I could care less about. One of the other reasons I like some companies going primarily digital is it will increase the value of the physical copies, making collectors like me really happy. Games will have fewer physical copies made and will most likely go out of print faster making them great investments in the future.
1 up, 1 down
CheddarClyde
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:32:35 AM
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I can understand why they would want that system since it would save them all kinds of money on packaging, shipping and warehousing. The problem is it would cost us as gamers a lot more money in an already expensive hobby. Plan on buying one large external hard drive? Nope, get two. Redundant backups is critical with anything digital. Thinking about storing your games on the cloud? Sure if you don't mind waiting for all 50GB of Metal Gear Solid 4 to download whenever you want to play it. Then there's the risk of game data becoming infected with viruses and other malware.
As someone who had a collection of close to a thousand movies on DVD and BlueRay, I don't mind buying hard copies of my games. If I did go completely digital my 70+ games would have filled up a terabyte hard drive by now... and if it failed/were stolen???
Last edited by CheddarClyde on 9/11/2012 12:33:27 AM
2 up, 0 down
bentl78
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 2:01:04 AM
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like steam, psn store is pretty awesome i think.
i used collect and collect.. tons of dvds, ps1, ps2 games.. and cds.. i am sure my cd and dvd collection is 1000+ back when i used to live in the US, when I lived w/ parents, in a big 4000 sqaurefoot house with a room for entertainment.. and garage, and 2-3 storages through the house.. and just in my room, i have a huge shelf and huge closets to store all my games...
i live in HK now, ranked top in the top 5 in rent/property prices in the world..
i dont buy many blu-rays or dvds anymore.. i still buy my ps3 games..
but i buy most of my movies and tv shows on itunes.. and all my vita games on psn.
why? u ask? what about your collection? .... problem is..
1 sqft of my apartment cost more than 1000 US dollars.. u do the math.
my flat is only 600 sqft... i have no place to store my collection.
the last time i moved.. i threw all the stuff away, or gave it all away.
it hurt.. but space is to valuable where i live.
so apple tv.. psn is perfect.
if my hard disk breaks, i can redownload it w/ my account.
if i run of of space i delete it.. until i want to watch it again.
that is the perfect solution for me.
1 up, 0 down
JohnnyGold
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 5:47:18 AM
2 things: just setting the ps3 to upload all the game saves to the cloud at 2am and d/l patches is a huge time saver. and if you ever dont want to d/l a patch, you just cancel out of the operation, and set it to d/l before you have to go to the grocery store or something. very sick of people complaining about this - like their lives are so precious they don't have *gasp* 10 minutes to waste downloading a patch for a new game. seriously? you don't have 10 minutes to change the input from hdmi to channel 570 and watch espn while a patch downloads, because you would have been too busy sitting on the couch and playing skyrim? first world problems.
secondly: every conceivable problem that people mention with this stuff can be solved by a *friendly* call to customer service, if something were to go wrong. it's not the monopoly man on the other end of the line. if something happens to your digital collection, they DO have records of what you bought, theyll be happy to refund your PSN wallet every dollar you've spent to get it all back.
idk man, one lesson i've learned in life... if the majority of a fanbase starts embracing something enthusiastically (like a kindle,) there is usually some merit to it. i used to be a "im never going to download games, physical media only!" guy, but now it just seems silly. download your game, sell the hard copy if you still have one, get your 5$ and move on with your life.
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 9:11:16 AM
Odd. The older I get, the more I realize that whenever the masses embrace ANYTHING, it's probably outrageously stupid.
3 up, 2 down
JohnnyGold
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 4:21:17 PM
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Underdog15
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 8:29:06 AM
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Temjin001
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 2:06:40 AM
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I can't get upset over this stuff but I'd like to see the option exist going forward for as long as possible. PC side, I prefer everything digital. Having a 2TB HDD means I can load it with as much games as I could reasonably want. I have access to those files on up to 5 machines at one time. It's nice having cloud saves too with these clients. All free, too ;) And as Dancemachine points out, I can re-download my games whenever I want, pretty sure I can do the same with PSN or Live.. I'd hope anyway.
But that's mostly PC talk. I suspect the future for consoles will look something like the clients PC's have with Steam and Origin etc. Including pre-loading games before release dates etc. As for security reasons or losing my games. I'm just not concerned about that. As Homer Simpson would say, I could slip on a bar of soap in the shower and die tommorow. Added to that, my home could burn down, a tornado or natural disaster could come, burglary etc., I just can't worry about that stuff. If I some how lost my games. Crappy day. I'd live. I'll just try and play it smart and safe and hope for the best.
As for physical collections, I just don't care. I can't care. Every time I try I look at the discs and think, it's plastic stamped out from a facility and shipped to a retail store and marketed on a shelf with pretty graphics with an intent to increase a corporations bottom line... must be the scientific side of my mind. I don't feel the snuggly blanket feel anymore, I guess =p I'm just not a "collector" of material items really. I have nothing against those who are. I want the experience, save the shelf space, and be happy. That's not to say I don't have any interest in a few novelty items now and again. It just so happens I like a lot of games. A LOT. To pack rat all of those with me just isn't my thing.
That picture up there at the top of this article makes me cringe. No really, that's just hideous Haha
Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/11/2012 2:07:36 AM
2 up, 0 down
ethird1
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 5:31:35 AM
1 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:14:08 AM
0 up, 1 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 2:23:06 AM
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jugheadjones
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 4:56:59 AM
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1 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 5:32:54 AM
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It opens up for monopolistic market arenas, price cooperation and control, and limits the user options. This is no small deal.
But there are advantages too. And that leads me to your question, Ben:
"Explain to me what happens when your hard drive shits the bed. Explain what happens when a file gets corrupted (yeah, it has been known to happen)."
These two are the main arguments for digital distributions, as far as I am concerned. With the traditional, physical storage you are screwed if the disc is broken. With digital distribution you can just download the game again should your drive get broken or replaced.
This is a major advantage. it's like with your mobile phone: When you get a new phone you can just download the apps to that new phone again. No need to keep any licence numbers or discs or anything as proof of ownership. It's tied to your account.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/11/2012 5:33:28 AM
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 11:03:16 AM
In 28 years of gaming, neither has ever happened to me. It hasn't happened to anyone I know, either. We take CARE of our collections because that's what people USED to do.
And you know what else? Tied to your account or not, it still has to fit in a digital space. I know physical media takes up real space, and part of the argument for digital media is that you don't have to store actual things. But all I ever had to do was find a spot on my shelf. Not temporarily throw it out the window to make room for a new game (which is akin to being forced to delete something off a hard drive, as far as I'm concerned). And then when I want to play it again, I have to re-download and re-install?
Give me a break. Smoke and mirrors. Nothing more.
1 up, 2 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:50:27 PM
A hot sun, an uncareful child, a neighbor that never returned a borrowed disc, an inconsiderate spouse, a disc that were accidentally stepped on, a party that went a bit over the top, accidents of all sorts; disks break. Disks get lost.
To quote yourself, "yeah, it has been known to happen".
But why ask the question in the first place, if you are not willing to accept an explanation? Fact of the matter is, that with digital distribution you get something that can be called the equivalent of a "lifetime disc replacement guarantee". It must be allowed to accept that, and still be against digital distribution.
... Like I am, too.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/11/2012 1:57:42 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 3:10:52 PM
I never said broken or lost games didn't happen. What I said was for people who care, it's exceedingly rare. You may not understand that but every real collector does. And by the way, all those real collectors will not ever accept that a file on a flippin' screen counts as ANYTHING.
1 up, 2 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 3:50:26 PM
Most "real collectors" understand that games are not only sold to collectors. And why separate between collectors and the rest? Do you really not think a broken disc matter for a regular consumer?
Did vinyl records get scratches? Did they lose fidelity after repeated playbacks? Not for "real collectors" with their expensive record players and storage facilities, but to say therefore it was no issue is just absurd.
And to say "you may not understand it's rare but every real collector does"... I mean, come on. Are you this patronizing in real life too?
*All* I say, is that a digitally distributed system offer a kind of insurance that physical media does not. That is just a fact. If your file corruption occurs your game is not lost. The feelings of "real collectors" have no relevance to that fact, nor do what they think about files on a screen. Why do you even bring that up?
And hear me out: I am also against digital distribution. We are on the same side here. But there are far, far better arguments against digital distribution than that the discs won't break for "those who care". Thing is that this "insurance" is probably the best argument *for* digital distribution, from a consumers point of view.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/11/2012 4:09:32 PM
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 8:35:06 AM
Unless you count corrupted files. I've had that type of thing happen numerous times.
1 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 5:43:01 AM
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its nice being able to pack something away and take it with you instead of having to pack all your games as well.
not to mention you dont have to switch disks every time you want to play another game.
not to mention the removal of the optical drive one of the most expensive and most unreliable parts of any system!
also helps cut down on heat and noise.
so the systems smaller, cheaper, more reliable, runs cooler, ect, ect.
in fact if it was not for ridiculously expensive ISP accounts and stupid limitations id say its the other way around, whats the benefit of physical over digital?
obviously you have nothing to trade in or lend to a friend, but is that really such a inconvenience?
only thing stopping DD from becoming the norm is ISPs!
oh and publishers, download games are suppose to be CHEAPER not more expensive than their retail counterparts!
EG skyrim cheapest ive found PC 40 bucks.
steam 80!
WTF!?
so not only is digital MORE expensive than retail, its TWICE the price!
but besides ISPs and ridiculous costs theres really no reason to keep physical!
1 up, 2 down
dillonthebunny
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:18:49 AM
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think of it like a Swiss army knife, I personally enjoy having hundreds of games on my PS3's HDD, I had over 7,000 games on my DSXL at one point, I had over 100 on my PSPGPO.. I have four on my Vita (working on getting a bigger mem stick, lol)..my point is I like to have everything there. I like not relying on physical media, I enjoy having everything to hands ASAP.. when ever I want it, im lazy i probably have mild OCD (like most of us..) and im trying so very hard to embrace the future.
having two handhelds that relied on non physical media (I only ever played Pokemon on my DS, so that doesnt count)taught me that its actually ok, and in some ways much better.
dont get me wrong, I would never want to see the end of dics, the art work and whatever.. but lets face it, these days youre lucky to get an in depth game manual, I remember when people got pssed off when they didnt get one in colour! lol times have changed, nothing we can do about it. so I say lets look at the benefits it brings and concentrate on them. yes it does have negatives, and the positives aren't being exploited by production houses as of yet, but its early days.
technology is getting better an better, I realise that not everyone has super fast BB,but there are ways around that. for instance when I am downloading a Vita game on my PS3 takes a lot longer than downloading it on my Vita.. and I like that. its all opinions at the end of the day, and this is mine :)
1 up, 1 down
zard
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:58:54 AM
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What kids do now, is when its paid for, downloaded and played. They just delete it! My problem is, I paid for that. I paid 60, 40, however much and its mine. I didn't pay for an experience I paid for a product. But I guess that is all behind us. Because when this new digital generation reaches buying age within the next 5 to 10 years. We can say goodbye to our disc drives and our cartridges. I can see it coming, our game stores are already bracing themselves. Gamestop is selling tablets and iPods and phones. My guess is it is only going to get worse.
You can buy a download code from Gamestop. An entire game, is a code on your receipt. Its coming, and soon. And I'm afraid. Because of all of the things you just wrote about.
We. Are Old Farts.
"And don't criticize what you can't understand...please get out of the new world if you can't lend your hand for the times they are a changing" - Bob dylan
1 up, 1 down
duomaxwell007
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 8:52:22 AM
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BikerSaint
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:49:11 PM
And that's it's most probably just pre-sales staged picture for somebody who's either looking to sell off part of their over-stocked warehouse's gaming stock, or else a gaming store that's going out of biz & trying to sell off all of it's remaining stock.
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ProfPlayStation
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:31:46 AM
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I was like the PSP Squirrels: "Heeelllllzz YEAH!"
Clicking a "buy" button that triggers a progress bar does not compare.
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telly
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:54:40 AM
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You still think all-digital gaming is really going to improve things?
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Beamboom
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 2:44:24 PM
The data is bit-by-bit identical if distributed via physical media or via a network.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/11/2012 2:48:51 PM
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Rogueagent01
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:03:04 PM
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To those that actually had the nerve to say, what is the benefits of physical? Here is one huge benefit use seem too not get, when I go to retire I have collections of all kinds that I can either sell or give to my kids/grandkids, what will use have??? Some email receipts that said you bought this or that, good luck on that front. I hope these younger people realize the monetary potential of physical media or physical anything for that matter. Because if your relying on say a 401k or Social Security, your in for a rude awakening.
Not just that but I hope you digital pushers realize that hackers are sitting in their dungeons laughing maniacally saying, "yes, go all digital...yessss that's it". They are going to eventually have a field day with use and that is the day we'll probably see use complaining about digital only, and I'll be sitting here laughing.
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Neo_Aeon666
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:52:46 PM
When this day comes... We need to unite and erase them. Because now whatever happens... Collecting will become meaningless and even if you buy physical you won't be able to play it after 1-2 generations of systems.
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dillonthebunny
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 3:22:40 PM
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I used to be a gamer who collected, but I met my wife who wasn't too happy with 400+ PS2 games, and you know.. she was right. I still have the ones that matter to me, like the original Ico/ SOTC box sets,JP GT4 box, Demons Souls.. hell I even have the promo 3D box to Wipeout on the PS2, only 9 in existence... but that's it.
I have a friend who has every console made, he is old skool.. he doesn't think twice about spending and getting rare, but he plays them all.. every single one. then I have a friend who collects box sets, but doesn't play them, if he does he will buy two. and lastly I have another mate who only wants to play games and as soon as its over he trades or sells it for another.
is it so hard for people here to understand that we are all different?
from my point of view I understand why people collect, I do it myself but there's a limit... I am a gamer first and a collector second.
for me theres value in the thought that if I step on a disc its broke, I cant play that any more. someone steals it or my house burns down.. OMG Cthulhu just ate my collection.
however I could say that I have these on download pretty much forever. if my hardware corrupts, its there. if my house burns to the floor with everything in it, the games are still there. someone steals my PS3.. my games are still there. I game first, that's my type of personality, seems that we are all different, but im not alone.
there is a point to digital media apart from trying to piss off collectors, lol.
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xnonsuchx
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 4:21:32 PM
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PSTan
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 5:17:42 PM
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What I would really want to see is the large-scale adaptation of 3D printing. Imagine being able to buy a game online, and while securing a digital copy, you can have your 3D printer print out a physical copy for you at the same time.
^Now that seems even further away than all-digital, but I would totally back that kind of system.
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homura
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:36:49 PM
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Last edited by homura on 9/11/2012 7:40:54 PM
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Neo_Aeon666
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:40:39 PM
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At the moment some companies are just being a plain pain in the butt.
Ex: I bought ME1 on my Xbox through digital downloads... Downloaded np. Then while playing my ISP went down. Guess what happened? The game gave me 10mins to relog online to my account or it was going to shut down forcefully!!! WTF
If that is the way they are going then I agree that they need to be killed.
But if digital purchase is treated correctly (download the content and play even without connection) Then I am all for it. I also like the virtual library kind of thing. Sometimes I end up with a physical AND digital copy of game LOL the digital because that way I can boot up the game anytime withouth getting the CD lolll XD
Also, to me it feels much safer to backup data on many devices and have my files on cloud storage than a crappy plastic cartridge that offers no safety measures. (Replying to the hatred towards clouds and usb keys lol) Chances I kill my usb keys are in no way higher than the chances i'd have to kill one of my nintendo cartridges lol but at least the usb key makes it possible to copy and backup my save.
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 9/11/2012 7:43:14 PM
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firesoul453
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Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 9:31:13 PM
Physical media is so disabled by DRM, its pretty much easier to just deal with a digital copy and younger people see digital as standard.
Its a shame really.