GreatnessRD
Member
I'm fine with Digital on PC. Console? Hell nah.
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Did your opinion about digital copies changed?
- Thread starter Arthimura
- Start date
RoboFu
One of the green rats
You won’t be able to play most of todays physical games 30 years from now.
SLB1904
Banned
Yes I will. The same people play 40 year old games today.
TheThreadsThatBindUs
Member
With physical games even getting more and more online check-ins, even those will be unplayable when the servers are switched off.
So if you care about game preservation, it's garbage all around.
Personally, I don't care too much. I play a game and I have my fill of it once it's completed. There are too many new games releasing that I wanna play and don't have time, for me to go back and replay old games.
That said I understand not everyone is like me and game preservation is important to some.
D
Deleted member 471617
Unconfirmed Member
I prefer digital but it depends on the game itself and if there's post launch content and expansions. If so, then it's based on how much im into the game. Dying Light 2 for example, I bought the $100 Ultimate Edition digitally as I was always all in with the game. But a game like God of War Ragnarok which concludes the story will be a disc based purchase. All depends on the game, post launch support and how much im really into the game.
HDMI won’t always be a standard, it won’t always be there. The technologies will be harder to go backwards to HDMI. Analog will be fully dead.
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RoboFu
One of the green rats
Those old games were self contained. Todays games are riddled with patches and server connectivity. There are some games that won’t even launch without a day one patch and even if they do they will be missing a ton of content and features and may even have bugs that cripple the games that day one patches fix.
Your best bet is just to buy complete editions years after the initial release.
But even then … just hardware wise Your ps4 isn’t going to last as long as a nes did.
I’m 45 years old. I still have a ton of gaming stuff in containers in my garage and have thrown even more away. I have never gone back and opened those containers.
What I have done is replayed old games digitally off the digital stores.
SLB1904
Banned
Lmfao. There is a bunch of old games that people still play today like castlevania that definitely need patches, but people are fine with it. Another case was the last guardian recently where the unpatched disc version would play at 60fps.
So yeah disagree with everything you said
SLB1904
Banned
Not playstation games or Nintendo games
Heimdall_Xtreme
Jim Ryan Fanclub's #1 Member
Actually, I see digital purchases as, ''indefinite rent'' like a blockbuster.
It's not really yours compared to the physical format.
As I mentioned before, the price limit is 19 dollars in my case, more than that I don't buy it.
It's not really yours compared to the physical format.
As I mentioned before, the price limit is 19 dollars in my case, more than that I don't buy it.
Putonahappyface
Gold Member
No change here I'll on buy physical content still. Unless digital games are free I'll pass.
synchronicity
Member
Yes and no. On console, I quit buying digital a long time ago, realizing that it was going to be a problem.
On PC, of course, I have no such reservations.
But I'd still buy digitally on console if it's a great deal. I'm not worried about losing access because if it's taken away I'll still get what I paid for one way or another. But generally, I won't buy digitally on console. Platform holders don't care about any notion of long-term access. They've already got your money. So I don't care about how I go about playing what I've paid for.
On PC, of course, I have no such reservations.
But I'd still buy digitally on console if it's a great deal. I'm not worried about losing access because if it's taken away I'll still get what I paid for one way or another. But generally, I won't buy digitally on console. Platform holders don't care about any notion of long-term access. They've already got your money. So I don't care about how I go about playing what I've paid for.
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BennyBlanco
aka IMurRIVAL69
I just don’t buy digital console games unless they are as cheap as a cup of coffee. I bought a bunch of ps1/psp classics on Vita back in the day and if they say I can’t access them again without their sub service I won’t buy digital with them at all anymore.
Rocco Schiavone
Member
CD's that are practically worthless??
WTF are you talking about??
Some CD's that are no longer pressed are worth a lot of money. (While digital is worth nothing)
The only painful is to read the complete bullcrap that you are writing here.
Arthimura
Member
I totally get the arguments about the practicity of digital games. It's nice to have instant delivery, not having to change disks and having hundreds of games available in one box below the TV. But I think the terms of use for digital games are just not pro-consumer enough.
I have lived enough gaming generations to know that I like to revisit some older games once in a while without depending on ports and remasters (and having to re-purchase the same game). Every year I still play some older games from ps360 and 3ds, and some older computer games too. So in my case it's relevant to think about keeping my access to these games, so I prefer going physical for consoles and choosing well my platforms when going digital.
In the case of Nintendo, it blews my mind how they're getting away with their policies. Let's say you purchased a digital 3ds game in 2017 for $40. Five years later you're already having your access cut to that game. At least with physical copies you can play something, even if it's not 100% patched, and even then most of handheld and Switch games comes pretty complete right off the cartrige, and there's a surprisingly high number of PS games that are pretty complete on disk.
About PC, depending on the store I believe digital is more reliable, but even then, companies and CEOs can change. Gabe looks pretty pro-consumer about keeping player's access to their games, but you never know when a new CEO steps in. I don't think CD Projekt RED is big enough to make GOG reliable, they could easily decide to stop their business with GOG one day and just say to their customers to backup their own games (at least it's a option in their platform).
I have lived enough gaming generations to know that I like to revisit some older games once in a while without depending on ports and remasters (and having to re-purchase the same game). Every year I still play some older games from ps360 and 3ds, and some older computer games too. So in my case it's relevant to think about keeping my access to these games, so I prefer going physical for consoles and choosing well my platforms when going digital.
In the case of Nintendo, it blews my mind how they're getting away with their policies. Let's say you purchased a digital 3ds game in 2017 for $40. Five years later you're already having your access cut to that game. At least with physical copies you can play something, even if it's not 100% patched, and even then most of handheld and Switch games comes pretty complete right off the cartrige, and there's a surprisingly high number of PS games that are pretty complete on disk.
About PC, depending on the store I believe digital is more reliable, but even then, companies and CEOs can change. Gabe looks pretty pro-consumer about keeping player's access to their games, but you never know when a new CEO steps in. I don't think CD Projekt RED is big enough to make GOG reliable, they could easily decide to stop their business with GOG one day and just say to their customers to backup their own games (at least it's a option in their platform).
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Krappadizzle
Member
If PC gaming and emulation didn't exist I'd be upset. But it does, so no need to worry. I have all my Wii U games backed up on my PC and can just transfer them over to my Wii U at anytime if I wanted. It does suck that there are bullshit reasons that digital game won't be sold. But, there are always ways to get what you want.
Dream-Knife
Banned
No, it's the same really. Digital on PC, but physical on console.
Astral Dog
Member
I was never against digital copies i just don't want physical games to dissapear like some other gamer bros do, they each have their advantages
Arthimura
Member
The physical copy gives the consumer the ownership/property of the game and a physical backup. No company can revoke the access to said game.
The most important thing is that the platform allows you to play offline. For example, on 3DS, if you have physical cartridge or backup games on a microsd, you can play your games despite the servers getting shutdown one day or Nintendo changing their policies.
If the platform requires online checks, they can block your access to the game at any time.
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TheDreadLord
Member
Yeah, it has changed but for the worse. At the beginning it was nice with all the good deals. Nowadays, sometimes, you are paying more for a digital good than the physical one. So, at least in my opinion, the only attractiveness for digital releases is the convenience of having it whenever you want. Other than that there is no point.
ValiantTraveler
Member
After buying a Switch, I got the appeal of buying digital. The occasional eShop discounts are quite enticing knowing that physical copies of Switch games are often expensive. Also Switch games aren't big in size so downloading isn't an issue. It's also more convenient than waiting for weeks for an order to be delivered. That said, I buy digital games that I'm okay with losing access to in the future. I'll keep Playstation games physical though.
Fbh
Member
No really. I guess I'm no longer as negative towards digital as I once was and to be honest I mostly play through games once or twice so realistically owning my copy "forever" has limited appeal. It will be sad when the PS3 store closes for good but at the same time I haven't owned a PS3 for like 9 years.
Besides, as time goes own physical games are increasingly turning into little more than physical DRM, many games aren't even truly finished without the day 1 patch.
At the same time though, I still think physical is better. You get the ability to resell/trade/lend games and, maybe more importantly, you get a much bigger selection of vendors to choose from, all of which run their own sales, promotions, discounts, etc. Meanwhile digital, at least on consoles, locks you into a monopoly. If you own a digital Ps5 it's the PSN price or nothing.
Besides, as time goes own physical games are increasingly turning into little more than physical DRM, many games aren't even truly finished without the day 1 patch.
At the same time though, I still think physical is better. You get the ability to resell/trade/lend games and, maybe more importantly, you get a much bigger selection of vendors to choose from, all of which run their own sales, promotions, discounts, etc. Meanwhile digital, at least on consoles, locks you into a monopoly. If you own a digital Ps5 it's the PSN price or nothing.
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SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
Not yet, but it could if we reach a point where backing up and preserving games becomes difficult or impossible.
I assume that anything I buy digitally might become unavailable at some point, but I also expect piracy and emulation to take over at certain point to preserve legacy software. And that by the time these services shut down those mechanisms will already be in place.
I do still lean toward physical copies for certain titles that I know I will want to have a copy of, but I also have no problem buying digital either.
I assume that anything I buy digitally might become unavailable at some point, but I also expect piracy and emulation to take over at certain point to preserve legacy software. And that by the time these services shut down those mechanisms will already be in place.
I do still lean toward physical copies for certain titles that I know I will want to have a copy of, but I also have no problem buying digital either.
Nydius
Member
I was never on board the "all digital" revolution, for consoles anyway. I've spent too many years in my career (IT) dealing with licensing compliance and being neck deep in EULAs and Terms of Service Agreements. I know too damn well what a digital only future means. It's renting at full purchase price and the current way copyright law is structured heavily favors the copyright holder, not the consumer. I'm not giving up my already limited copyright protections as a consumer. I'm not giving up my right to resell my physical media for the sake of a little convenience of not needing a disk or cartridge.
Beyond that, console marketplaces' sales on digital versions of games still don't come close to what I can find physical sales for (Nintendo excluded, of course). Just look at the other day when Best Buy had Cyberpunk for $4.99 for the second time in a year; meanwhile, the cheapest it's ever been on sale on PSN or Xbox, that I've seen, has been $24.99. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2, the cross gen version, is selling digitally for $39.99. I just picked a new physical copy up for half that. Additionally, I can turn around and resell or give away physical copies if I so choose; Game sharing for digital on console is only available through convoluted loopholes (like the Xbox Home Console) that the platform holders can easily close if (when?) they so choose.
Physical on console is still king as far as I'm concerned, and likely will be for quite some time. I buy digital where there's a) no other choice, b) the occasional impulse buy, or c) online-only games that will eventually be shut down for good one day anyway so having a physical disk is less important (e.g. live service games like Destiny).
Beyond that, console marketplaces' sales on digital versions of games still don't come close to what I can find physical sales for (Nintendo excluded, of course). Just look at the other day when Best Buy had Cyberpunk for $4.99 for the second time in a year; meanwhile, the cheapest it's ever been on sale on PSN or Xbox, that I've seen, has been $24.99. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2, the cross gen version, is selling digitally for $39.99. I just picked a new physical copy up for half that. Additionally, I can turn around and resell or give away physical copies if I so choose; Game sharing for digital on console is only available through convoluted loopholes (like the Xbox Home Console) that the platform holders can easily close if (when?) they so choose.
Physical on console is still king as far as I'm concerned, and likely will be for quite some time. I buy digital where there's a) no other choice, b) the occasional impulse buy, or c) online-only games that will eventually be shut down for good one day anyway so having a physical disk is less important (e.g. live service games like Destiny).
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ArtHands
Thinks buying more servers can fix a bad patch
These console physical fanboys are pretty creepyThe ones that are going to lose their digital games are Sony and Ninty fans, yet you put the blame on the user that goes digital, talk about "corporate slaves".
That goes to the OP too, it's interesting how he wants to discuss what is our view on how bad digital games are, yet he should be discussing how shitty Nintendo and Sony are for not letting their customers have their digital games.
CuteFaceJay
Member
As much as I'd like to have a physical collection of games I simply can't due to limited space for living.
Had to move recently and thank fuck I was all digital or I would be bleeding money on storage units.
Plus no one like having to swap games out.
Had to move recently and thank fuck I was all digital or I would be bleeding money on storage units.
Plus no one like having to swap games out.
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Barakov
Member
Not really. I still don't like them. But sometimes it's the only way to get certain games.
TheGodfather07
Member
I've been buying mostly digital but I know physical has bigger advantages. Mainly being able to resell which is not possible with digital. I have 100's of games just sitting there that I doubt I will ever play again and will eventually lose access to them aswell.
Look at PS5 games as an example. If they are recent releases, your paying about £60 to get them physically. If you sell them on for £45, than it would have only cost you £15 to play it. I know it's a hassle but selling on ebay is pretty easy and you don't even have to leave your house to ship it. Compare that to the rip off digital prices and the game becomes worthless once your done with it.
Look at PS5 games as an example. If they are recent releases, your paying about £60 to get them physically. If you sell them on for £45, than it would have only cost you £15 to play it. I know it's a hassle but selling on ebay is pretty easy and you don't even have to leave your house to ship it. Compare that to the rip off digital prices and the game becomes worthless once your done with it.
DenchDeckard
Moderated wildly
For PC and xbox I've been digital for years. Switch and playstation I'm always disk at first and then if a game really warrants it I will pick it up digitally in a sale after I've traded the disk in.
Dr.brain64
Member
All digital. Started with ps3. Never looked back. I absolutely hate swapping games 
nominedomine
Banned
Discs to me are the main reason to own a console, I really appreciate that I can borrow/lend games, sell and buy used games, take advantage of various stores promos, etc. If consoles were all digital I would probably stick to just PC where I'm not tied to a single storefront.
In the odd case where the disc is much more expensive you still have the option to get it digitally as well.
In the odd case where the disc is much more expensive you still have the option to get it digitally as well.
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Mr Reasonable
Completely Unreasonable
If they'd done both a discless Series X and the one with the drive that they released, I wouldn't even have considered the discless version.
As is, I got the machine on launch day and the only use the drive has got is when my girlfriend watches old dvds.
My main concern with losing discs is the price of games. Buying Xbox games from other regions and Gamepass means it's not a worry to me now.
In the future, that could change, of course, but by the time the next gen kicks off, I expect physical to be over.
As is, I got the machine on launch day and the only use the drive has got is when my girlfriend watches old dvds.
My main concern with losing discs is the price of games. Buying Xbox games from other regions and Gamepass means it's not a worry to me now.
In the future, that could change, of course, but by the time the next gen kicks off, I expect physical to be over.
nominedomine
Banned
On PC you aren't tied to a single storefront and discs on PC already had cd-keys decades ago, it's not comparable to how discs work on consoles.
When the complete transition happened Steam was very aggressive with pricing so it could positions itself against the copious amount of piracy that was going on. Steam had regional pricing and was way more aware of markets that console companies had ignore for a long time.
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EverydayBeast
thinks Halo Infinite is a new graphical benchmark
Gamers don’t give digital stores credit there’s some impressive architectural things there to stay on your couch, plug in your credit card and download a game.
MiguelItUp
Member
I've always gone physical on console, and I don't think that's going to change for me as long as the option remains.
rofif
Banned
I understand why people want to go full digital. It is comfortable
but you loose:
-Access to 1.0 version
-Access to full offline version
-ability to sell or lend
-Control over your game. Dev decides to remove music, it's gone. Dev patches something, it's patched if you like it or not
-Tangible physical item on your shelf. I like the look of boxes and feeling of owning something protected from "the internet"...
Of course a disc can break, scratch and get damaged. The 1.0 version might be completely trash and so on... But also, disc is not spinning all the time. It gets very little use.
For ps5 games here, disc version are quite a bit cheaper than digital so that's a thing too.
And the "plastic waste" argument is not really too good. Servers for digital games, data centers and so on are still a waste. Waste of materials and energy. Not direct plastic but still... the stupid disc and a box is not THAT much plastic
but you loose:
-Access to 1.0 version
-Access to full offline version
-ability to sell or lend
-Control over your game. Dev decides to remove music, it's gone. Dev patches something, it's patched if you like it or not
-Tangible physical item on your shelf. I like the look of boxes and feeling of owning something protected from "the internet"...
Of course a disc can break, scratch and get damaged. The 1.0 version might be completely trash and so on... But also, disc is not spinning all the time. It gets very little use.
For ps5 games here, disc version are quite a bit cheaper than digital so that's a thing too.
And the "plastic waste" argument is not really too good. Servers for digital games, data centers and so on are still a waste. Waste of materials and energy. Not direct plastic but still... the stupid disc and a box is not THAT much plastic
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rofif
Banned
I don't understand your reasoning.
Dying Light 2 is also a story based game which story concludes...