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[duckroll]

It sucks but you'll get over it. I don't bother collecting games anymore. I just collect other stuff. Go check out interesting artbooks, collectible figures, etc related to games instead. Digital is the future because it's cheap, fast, and accessible. When the PC games I bought started coming with no manuals, and just a cdkey which would allow me to download the game faster than the installer works, I just said fuck it.

 

[Griss]

When I hacked my Wii and backed up all of my game discs to a harddrive it was a revelation. All of those games at my fingertips, ready to play at the press of a button.

I decided at that moment that I'd go digital only where possible from then on and I pretty much have, 3DS excepted because of Nintendo's shitty account system.

There are downsides, but it's worth it.

 

[chromatic9]

I'm not very organized so I tend to put discs from the tray into the box I've just taken another disc out of to play, everything gets jumbled up. Sometimes after a year I open a case and there's no disc and have to search them all.

 

[Fisty]

We've yet to see what happens when a large digital distributer goes out of business. Apple, Sony, Nintendo, MS, what happens when one goes under or switches from their current business model and goes in a different direction for the company that doesn't involve all those digital goods?

Everything you've ever bought digitally that's connected to or relies on a service to function is worthless. For emphasis, WORTHLESS. You can't recoup any of the cost spent on it, you can't give it away, hell you usually can't even permenantly delete it. It's just an ever growing pile of digital feces piling up in your account until that service/business is shut down for whatever reason. All digital has accomplished is "covenience" in exchange for the companies that put out this content having more and more control over how and when you can use their product and you're rights for using that product.

I think disgusting is a pretty good word for quite a bit of it.

Yep and one day the American banking system will collapse and your credit card won't work, and the sun will burn out so your Ray-bans will be worthless. For emphasis, WORTHLESS.

 

[Mr. Nice_Guy]

Honestly the "much more convenient" thing has always been a fallacy for me at least. Yes it really is easier to throw a game on that is just in my library instead of going to switch discs, but it's just a mental thing. Cutting out the extra 10 seconds it takes me to switch games is in no way worth the extra money it costs to shop 100% digitally.

Yep and one day the American banking system will collapse and your credit card won't work, and the sun will burn out so your Ray-bans will be worthless. For emphasis, WORTHLESS.

This is also a really tired and toothless argument. Everything you own digitally, You. Do. Not. Own. You may disagree with not shopping digitally and think it's more convenient, but the fact remains that I own the disc, and no matter what happens in the future regarding companies, licenses, etc, I'll be able to play that game as long as the disc works, which is more than you can say for digital.

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

Xbox One DRM 180 was a mistake.

Yep. 100% a mistake. Microsoft once again too ahead of their time with a shit solution the market didn't want at the time.

Much like Windows Mobile before the metro revamp.

 

[Memorabilia]

buy physical, sell when i'm done, maybe pick up the game digitally once it hits ~10 on psn

This is the smart consumer strategy.

I don't sell/trade most games (unless they really suck they're staying in my physical collection). But I do buy physical first on deep discount and if it's a game I love and is the type that benefits from not having to swap discs because I often go back to it in between others then I'll double-dip on the digital version when it drops to $20 or less. My usual buy-in for digital is < $10, like all the digital double-dips I've been doing on 360 titles over the past couple years (buying in at $5 apiece really ended up paying off...as they get added to the BC list their prices have been shooting up). I recently picked up the super duper deluxe version of PvZ GW2 for $20, but that's a rare splurge since I know I'll play that game semi-regularly for a long time.

Edit: Basically, OP you can do both physical and digital just fine, if that's what you want. That's what I've been doing the hybrid approach for quite a while. These "physical vs digital" threads seem to miss that reality for some reason. And anyone who tells you "100% digital future" is happening anytime soon hasn't gotten out of their bubble lately and generally doesn't seem to understand what sorts of Herculean efforts its going to take to upgrade the 'net infrastructure in the US and other parts of the world.

 

[dab0ne]

It is convenient for lots but for me it isn't. My download speed is about 1gb per hour. I usually go physical.

 

[aadiboy]

This is also a really tired and toothless argument. Everything you own digitally, You. Do. Not. Own. You may disagree with not shopping digitally and think it's more convenient, but the fact remains that I own the disc, and no matter what happens in the future regarding companies, licenses, etc, I'll be able to play that game as long as the disc works, which is more than you can say for digital.

Ok, let's say PSN shuts down. By that time the system will be hacked and you can download any game you want to the system. Every system is eventually hacked.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Yep and one day the American banking system will collapse and your credit card won't work, and the sun will burn out so your Ray-bans will be worthless. For emphasis, WORTHLESS.

This is a terrible counter argument. It's not a question of if one of these major players shuts down their servers; it's a matter of when and at least one will in your lifetime. Just look at the history of the industry and how many huge big players are now no longer either a significant influence or even a part of the industry all together. Look at Sega alone. They were only a major player in hardware console business for 15 years. We don't even need to look further than Microsoft and Sony who have both shut down servers that no longer allow you access to paid digital video game content and they're current major companies. We already have plenty of examples of companies leaving the market and discontinuing servers. So again, realistic and real world examples exist compared to your crazy the world is ending scenario. One is extremely more likely than the other and the one that is more likely is the discussion that's being had here.

 

[-COOLIO-]

All digital is also much better for the environment. We not only produce less plastic cases but save on recycling costs, storage costs and transportation costs. So yay for that.

 

[Zantetsuken]

It makes me wonder why digital games are the same price as physical. I haven't read through the thread but maybe it has been explained.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

It makes me wonder why digital games are the same price as physical. I haven't read through the thread but maybe it has been explained.

I think because if they made them cheaper they'd screw their relationship with retailers, thus retailers would refuse to sell their consoles. No one wins.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

All digital is also much better for the environment. We not only produce less plastic cases but save on recycling costs, storage costs and transportation costs. So yay for that.

That's true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQuiwp3wnH0

 

[Terrell]

As a collector I'm a physical guy.

Another one of my gripes is the fear of losing the digital content. Whether it be something like the Wii's horrible non account system or it just getting pulled entirely like PT.

There's been cases of things being removed from peoples accounts and you can't get it back because it's delisted. I don't trust that future at all.

For as much as I hear " you don't own that game", I physically have possession of that game that I paid money for. I can lend it to a friend and If, God forbid I ever have to, I can sell all of it if I need the money. You can't do that with digital.

I see the convenience of being able to swap when you want, but I'm not too lazy to get up and change my game every other day or so. Heck, I removed Onechambara and installed Bloodborne this morning while I was brushing my teeth. It's not that big of a task that it should be a selling point.

To those making this argument, all I can say is this: with day-one patches and online passes, you already don't actually own the game, you own a piece of it. And for the time being, a piece is still better than nothing. But in the near future, Microsoft's original proposition with Xbox One will become more and more of a reality.

As for the delisting issue or having your content at the mercy of a platform holder's future in the industry, yes, it's a terrible proposition. Equally as terrible as, say, losing a game, having it stolen, having it burn down in a house fire. The only difference is that you can't blame those circumstances on someone else, but those unfortunate circumstances happen with far more regularity than the collapse of a corporation. The point is that buying physical does not make you unassailable from misfortune and it's wrong to kid yourself to the contrary.

 

[Marty Chinn]

As for the delisting issue or having your content at the mercy of a platform holder's future in the industry, yes, it's a terrible proposition. Equally as terrible as, say, losing a game, having it stolen, having it burn down in a house fire. The only difference is that you can't blame those circumstances on someone else, but those unfortunate circumstances happen with far more regularity than the collapse of a corporation. The point is that buying physical does not make you unassailable from misfortune and it's wrong to kid yourself to the contrary.

It's not quite equally terrible. If you lose something physical, you can find a way to get it back. If they cut off something digital, you may not have any way to get it back.

 

[nekkid]

Do what that weirdo in that other thread was talking about doing - print out your own case covers and put them in blank boxes.

 

[renzolama]

I don't own a single physical disc across 300+ games on PC\XBOne\PS4\WiiU\Vita. I can play any game I want on any system at any time without getting up from my office chair. Join us in the all digital future brother, we saved you a spot.

 

[renzolama]

It makes me wonder why digital games are the same price as physical. I haven't read through the thread but maybe it has been explained.

It's due to agreements with physical outlets. Companies like gamestop will threaten to stop carrying console games from publishers who allow their games to be sold digitally on console for reduced price. They know that price drops for used games etc are the only reason their businesses still exist, and if you could get a digital game for $20 six months later like you can a physical then physical outlets would be looking at massive profit loss (of the 'shut down 3/4 of your stores' variety) overnight.

 

[ocean]

Physical media in 2017 is anachronistic. I get it for people who like reselling but otherwise... I don't get it.

I keep my games and digital means a tidy backed up persistent library. I moved to Europe and back, without having to lug any games around or leave any behind. If I want to play a game I own, any game, it's a short download away.

If you have slow internet or a data cap that's different I guess? I live in a poor country and have uncapped 40mbps down (will upgrade to 100 soon) - kind of shocking how I hear some people in USA still struggle with that.

 

[LastOne2100]

At the end of the day, for me it's a simply price thing. Physical games are still strangely cheaper at launch with pre-order promotions and typically drop in price faster. Not to mention the ability to trade them back in if desired.

Would definitely prefer to go purely digital if pricing / sales were more competitive.

 

[Memorabilia]

To those making this argument, all I can say is this: with day-one patches and online passes, you already don't actually own the game, you own a piece of it. And for the time being, a piece is still better than nothing. But in the near future, Microsoft's original proposition with Xbox One will become more and more of a reality.

As for the delisting issue or having your content at the mercy of a platform holder's future in the industry, yes, it's a terrible proposition. Equally as terrible as, say, losing a game, having it stolen, having it burn down in a house fire. The only difference is that you can't blame those circumstances on someone else, but those unfortunate circumstances happen with far more regularity than the collapse of a corporation. The point is that buying physical does not make you unassailable from misfortune and it's wrong to kid yourself to the contrary.

Comparing the potential loss of paid for digital content due to a potential future server shut-down *as a direct result of corporate mandated profit motive* with... natural disasters is a new one...I mean, seriously? "Acts of God" or environmental distress are nothing like a board of directors hypothetically deciding to declare bankruptcy and screwing existing digital owners. This is quite possibly the most creative and absurd justification I've heard yet. Lol Sheesh.

 

[Creepy]

I've been buying my games physically for years to build up a collection but since last year, I went all digital and now I can't go back to physical discs.

You just gotta resist, It's hard I know what you mean...
I'm a physical collector myself, it's painful seeing games I bought and imported for considerable sums go for a few pounds or dollars on psn, and steam is also getting the more unusual games these days which is annoying.
If I do buy a digital game its usually for convenience and I usually own the physical already, I've only cracked a few times.
I've been going after fancy physicals recently to drown out the voice on my shoulder saying "but its 75% off digital".

I'm dreading the day my rare Saturn games start appearing on steam though.

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

If you already have the game digital, why bother putting a worthless piece of plastic in your room? Who is it really for?

I can understand being indecisive one way or the other, but getting both is a ridiculous waste of money and resource.

 

[Memorabilia]

It's due to agreements with physical outlets. Companies like gamestop will threaten to stop carrying console games from publishers who allow their games to be sold digitally on console for reduced price. They know that price drops for used games etc are the only reason their businesses still exist, and if you could get a digital game for $20 six months later like you can a physical then physical outlets would be looking at massive profit loss (of the 'shut down 3/4 of your stores' variety) overnight.

Let's say all physical forms of media distribution go the way of the dodo tomorrow. Do people honestly believe digital platform providers with a monopoly lock on their platform game sales (PSN and XBL) will, out of the goodness of their hearts, suddenly adopt the more reasonable pricing strategies of the physical distributors? Or do you think it might be possible that without any sort of price competition from physical at all that the currently meager digital sales on both console platforms will actually get worse? Given how the real world works I think I know the answer, but I'm genuinely curious why some people seem to think that removing physical media games will somehow improve the digital pricing structure instead of making it worse than it already is?

 

[Creepy]

If you already have the game digital, why bother putting a worthless piece of plastic in your room? Who is it really for?

I can understand being indecisive one way or the other, but getting both is a ridiculous waste of money and resource.

Not for me, I'm rich, and my collection brings me joy.
Also, I have quite a few games which are far from "worthless plastic"

 

[Marty Chinn]

If you already have the game digital, why bother putting a worthless piece of plastic in your room? Who is it really for?

I can understand being indecisive one way or the other, but getting both is a ridiculous waste of money and resource.

Because one can be taken away from me by the company who sold it while the other can't. In some cases, I appreciate the convenience, but still like knowing that there's a copy of the game that I can do with as I please. It's like how Blu rays come with digital copies of a movie. You get the convenience but also the benefits of a physical copy. The other thing that people seem to ignore is the fact that digital distribution is tied to a single person. So down the road, I can't simply give my kids my game library if I choose to because it's all tied to my personal account.

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

Not for me, I'm rich, and my collection brings me joy.
Also, I have quite a few games which are far from "worthless plastic"

Being rich doesn't mean spending money on pointless shit isn't a waste. Also, I said a physical copy of a game is worthless when you have a digital one too, not that all physical copies are. If something is being used, it has worth. A disk in a box, displayed but never opened has no use other than to show off material wealth, like anyone really cares, in which case you could have at least spent the money on something that will hold it value.

And collecting is just another word for organized horading. A superficial happiness. But that's not my business.

 

[AppleSeason]

My love for physical conflicts with having very limited storage space, which makes me lean towards digital despite hating it. Ultimately I buy the cheapest one, although I wish I had physical copies of the ones I really love (like Life is Strange).

Exceptions to the rule of cheaper are Blizzard games on PC (always physical), and console multiplayer (always digital).

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

Because one can be taken away from me by the company who sold it while the other can't. In some cases, I appreciate the convenience, but still like knowing that there's a copy of the game that I can do with as I please. It's like how Blu rays come with digital copies of a movie. You get the convenience but also the benefits of a physical copy. The other thing that people seem to ignore is the fact that digital distribution is tied to a single person. So down the road, I can't simply give my kids my game library if I choose to because it's all tied to my personal account.

The only time games are "taken away" is when online servers are shut down, in which case a physical disk is just as effected. Sure you can download it off a disk, but you'll have no online modes and no patches, which in this day and age means you'll have an incomplete, if not unplayable game.

With all the DRM and reliance on the internet, physical copies really have no worth anymore. You don't "own" it anymore than you own a digital copy. A disk can be deactivated just as easily so long as internet connection is maintained. And if you have to keep something offline to maintain ownership of it, is that really ownership at all?

 

[TheHolyTurnip]

Yep and one day the American banking system will collapse and your credit card won't work, and the sun will burn out so your Ray-bans will be worthless. For emphasis, WORTHLESS.

You can make money from what you put in a bank and pull the money out when you need it, you can sell or give away those Ray-bans before the sun destroys this chunk of rock we're on. Can't do either of those things with digital games.

 

[Creepy]

Being rich doesn't mean spending money on pointless shit isn't a waste. Also, I said a physical copy of a game is worthless when you have a digital one too, not that all physical copies are. If something is being used, it has worth. A disk in a box, displayed but never opened has no use other than to show off material wealth, like anyone really cares, in which case you could have at least spent the money on something that will hold it value.

And collecting is just another word for organized horading. A superficial happiness. But that's not my business.

The purpose of life is to do what makes you happy.
My money is not wasted just because you think it is.
I genuinely enjoy tracking down rare things and collecting them.

And like others are saying, It has it's benefits, you can lend stuff, it's never gonna get taken away, or you can just take a stroll through your collection... it's just nice to own stuff man..

 

[kingwingin]

Honestly the "much more convenient" thing has always been a fallacy for me at least. Yes it really is easier to throw a game on that is just in my library instead of going to switch discs, but it's just a mental thing. Cutting out the extra 10 seconds it takes me to switch games is in no way worth the extra money it costs to shop 100% digitally.



This is also a really tired and toothless argument. Everything you own digitally, You. Do. Not. Own. You may disagree with not shopping digitally and think it's more convenient, but the fact remains that I own the disc, and no matter what happens in the future regarding companies, licenses, etc, I'll be able to play that game as long as the disc works, which is more than you can say for digital.

My entire collection is digital and with the touch of a button i can back up all my games to an external drive. I can set the console as my home console and play my games offline till the end of time.

I can even set up multiple consoles as home systems and they can all have my games installed with patches.

Digital is much easier an option if long term preservation is your thing

 

[renzolama]

Let's say all physical forms of media distribution go the way of the dodo tomorrow. Do people honestly believe digital platform providers with a monopoly lock on their platform game sales (PSN and XBL) will, out of the goodness of their hearts, suddenly adopt the more reasonable pricing strategies of the physical distributors? Or do you think it might be possible that without any sort of price competition from physical at all that the currently meager digital sales on both console platforms will actually get worse? Given how the real world works I think I know the answer, but I'm genuinely curious why some people seem to think that removing physical media games will somehow improve the digital pricing structure instead of making it worse than it already is?

Well, there's the example of Steam...

Publishers will compete with one another on price given the opportunity to do so. Maximizing profit very rarely means "continuing to raise price forever on everything," I think you might have a bit of bias against publishers and console manufacturers (or maybe just against people who champion digital content) clouding your understanding of economics.

 

[Marty Chinn]

The only time games are "taken away" is when online servers are shut down, in which case a physical disk is just as effected. Sure you can download it off a disk, but you'll have no online modes and no patches, which in this day and age means you'll have an incomplete, if not unplayable game.

With all the DRM and reliance on the internet, physical copies really have no worth anymore. You don't "own" it anymore than you own a digital copy. A disk can be deactivated just as easily so long as internet connection is maintained. And if you have to keep something offline to maintain ownership of it, is that really ownership at all?

Having a game that's playable is better than having no game at all. Just about every single one of these games could be played by my kids or even grandkids which may not be the case with a digital game if the server shuts down. We need to stop acting like the servers shutting down is an "if" scenario when it's really a "when" scenario. There is no "when" scenario as long as I have the physical game in hand.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

Having a game that's playable is better than having no game at all. Just about every single one of these games could be played by my kids or even grandkids which may not be the case with a digital game if the server shuts down. We need to stop acting like the servers shutting down is an "if" scenario when it's really a "when" scenario. There is no "when" scenario as long as I have the physical game in hand.

Let's say PSN is shut down. I have my digital games installed and patched ready to play offline. I don't need the servers as long as I have the games installed.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Let's say PSN is shut down. I have my digital games installed and patched ready to play offline. I don't need the servers as long as I have the games installed.

And when the hard drive fails? Also, I hope you didn't get any of the free games from PS Plus.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

And when the hard drive fails?

Seriously? and when the disc collection burns?

 

[goldenpp72]

Seriously? and when the disc collection burns?

Harddrives fail much more frequently than disc collections catch fire I imagine, I mean, using that logic, a fire could also take out the HDD too. HDDs often just die on their own, while some games may die from age, it won't be your whole collection in one shot.

Pros and cons to each method of course, but that isn't really one of them in my mind.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

Harddrives fail much more frequently than disc collections catch fire I imagine, I mean, using that logic, a fire could also take out the HDD too. HDDs often just die on their own, while some games may die from age, it won't be your whole collection in one shot.

Pros and cons to each method of course, but that isn't really one of them in my mind.

You can always backup to an external HDD.

 

[Phoenix944]

Every time I see this kind of thread I wonder how people can get past the expensiveness of going all digital. I mean it's like 10/15€ cheaper to buy retail on Amazon and such, and you even get to buy used copies half the price.
Unless you wait for a selected list of digital games on sale, I'd say physical should be the obvious choice.

And please, don't say the "I don't have to get off my ass to change disc" argument x) (well I'm kidding but I kinda amuse me when I see that)

 

[Creepy]

And please, don't say the "I don't have to get off my ass to change disc" argument x) (well I'm kidding but I kinda amuse me when I see that)

Right, It's always odd when that comes up.
Unless you are disabled or elderly there is really no weight behind this argument.

 

[JimmyRustler]

Every time I read that the top pro for going digital is convinience I facepalm. Seriously, how lazy can you be if this the reason to abandon physical?

 

[Fisty]

This is a terrible counter argument. It's not a question of if one of these major players shuts down their servers; it's a matter of when and at least one will in your lifetime. Just look at the history of the industry and how many huge big players are now no longer either a significant influence or even a part of the industry all together. Look at Sega alone. They were only a major player in hardware console business for 15 years. We don't even need to look further than Microsoft and Sony who have both shut down servers that no longer allow you access to paid digital video game content and they're current major companies. We already have plenty of examples of companies leaving the market and discontinuing servers. So again, realistic and real world examples exist compared to your crazy the world is ending scenario. One is extremely more likely than the other and the one that is more likely is the discussion that's being had here.

This isn't a good counter. Shutting down servers for games affects both physical and digital. So far, people that have bought digital games have not had them forcibly removed from their library unless they break ToS, even if games get delisted from the digital store you can still download them. None of those "industry players" that aren't around existed during the digital era.

And the fact digital marketplaces can continue to sell games long after hardware life cycle ends means there's no real reason to shut down the store. The only example of a store getting shut down is OG Xbox, and while it was pretty scummy, they weren't selling full games (I wouldn't buy digital content from them regardless, so w.e)

So for those reasons, I would say it's likely I will be playing my digital copy of Bloodborne on PS7, hopefully your disc copy won't be scratched or have disc rot by then. And hey... if Sony does decide to shut down the PS3 store in 2027, then I can pick up physical copies of all those digital games I bought for like $2 each

 

[Hjod]

I've been buying my games digital for a good while now. I don't have data caps, and I find it convenient to just switch between games when I want. I do miss that feeling of going into a store and buying a game that I'd been waiting for though.

And my Blu-ray/UHD collection takes enough space as it is.

 

[TSM]

Xbox One DRM 180 was a mistake.

It absolutely was. It was going to be fantastic for getting great physical copy deals, but with all the convenience of having a digital library. Instead you are either stuck with all the clutter and inconvenience of physical copies or the high pricing of digital. Given that you can't even play the games off the disc anymore, all physical copies are are disc shaped game keys.

 

[xVodevil]

Good thing on PC I can buy the cheaper version whether it's physical or digital. Well for the favorite titles I still tend to go with the boxed one, but either way by now it always comes with the key you redeem, so basically it's a win-win.

 

[Coxy100]

I never get why people complain about swapping discs. Is it age related?

I remember in the 80's loading my tapes for my acorn Electron and praying it won't load. You'd wait 10-15 minutes and only say 70% of the time would it actually load. I had a bit of paper where I wrote the best volume to have on the tape player to help certain games load (I swear it worked)

I just don't get that argument at all. Modern laziness? I get the convenience of being able to download the game in advance of launch etc, but that's it for digital. If you can't be arsed to get up and swap a game disc then I'm worried...

 

[GamerJM]

I find digital convenience to be pretty overstated. It takes like less than a minute to take out a game and put in another one. Switching controllers when one runs out of batteries is more inconvenient.

 

[Undead Fantasy]

I never get why people complain about swapping discs. Is it age related?

I remember in the 80's loading my tapes for my acorn Electron and praying it won't load. You'd wait 10-15 minutes and only say 70% of the time would it actually load. I had a bit of paper where I wrote the best volume to have on the tape player to help certain games load (I swear it worked)

I just don't get that argument at all. Modern laziness? I get the convenience of being able to download the game in advance of launch etc, but that's it for digital. If you can't be arsed to get up and swap a game disc then I'm worried...

They will try to make up excuses but at the end of the day it is laziness.