The digital download path is one that is full of cracks, bumps and weeds when it comes to getting through to console owners. Whilst services such as Steam thrive and flourish on the PC, there has been no such breakthrough for our beloved Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo devices.
It seems console owners really do love their boxed products. Even the loss of the much maligned UMD was criticised when Sony unleashed the PSPgo onto the public.
A survey of over 1,000 people by research firm Ipsos MediaCT found that 64 per cent preferred physical discs for their games over digital copies. In all honesty we are surprised the figure was that low.
The reasons for the rejection of digital download are numerous. Many gamers have been brought up with boxed games, and as such have fond memories of them. Digital downloads are – dare we say it – a touch soulless. There is no anticipation on the bus ride home with game in hand; there is no cursory glance at the instruction manual before deciding you know how to play the game already.
Factor in the loss of trade in value, and the generally high price of digital downloads, and it’s clear to see why the boxed product has a place in our hearts.
With giants such as SEGA backing digital downloads we have no doubt they will become the norm – but will it be this generation?
mightyice
I will keep buying games on Disc and so will my friends. Main reason is that after we completed an game we can borrow it from each other or even sell it and get money back that way. have just borrowed Heavy Rain and will after that borrow Unchartered 2 and my friends are just now playing 2 of my games . so that is a way of saving money
Mick939
I will always prefer to physically own a product
T-82
So. people would rather have Flower, the PixelJunk series, Shatter on disc, would these games have ever existed if it weren’t for the PSN?
ericzap
Small games, pointless to put on BRD.
ericzap
Small games, pointless to put on BRD. We get the best of both worlds as it is.
hazelam
small games like that are better suited to downloads, but most people would prefer that when they spend thirty or forty quid on a game they get something tangible.
djjammie
The problem for me on the topic of DD are that you spend money on games and once you complete or get bored of them your STUCK with them.
least if you buy the game from a shop in disc format least you have the chance of selling on the game once you finished it.
thats the one reason that puts me off buying a PSP go!!!
BadBoyBoogie
Same here!! It’s nice to have the option of trading a game in if you’re sure that you’re not going to play it again.
Plus I also rent a game now and again which obviously isn’t possible with digital downloads, unless the powers that be introduce time limited downloads.
TSBonyman
I like having easy access to all my psn games but it bugs me that if i don’t like what i’ve bought, which has happened on a few occasions, i have no option for a refund. And then there’s the chance of losing everything if my pS3 goes belly-up, although i do a back-up every couple of months now just in case.
*nods at Dan*
TTP
The only content you would really lose are the save files, which you would lose anyway no matter the nature of the game (disc or digital).
To me, having all my games accessible with the push of a button + not having to worry about failing laser lenses > physical copies.
I do agree tho that they should be priced lower.
hazelam
say your console breaks, and you can’t afford a new one for a while, or maybe you decide not to bother getting another one.
in essence you’ve just wasted money with downloads, with disc games you will still have the games, and you could trade them in at a later date.
and with everything linked to a single person or account, there is the risk that these games will be lost at some point in the future, people will look back and try to see what people played now and find nothing works.
people can still find a play nes games, will people still be able to play flow in 20 years time?
and i like being able to borrow or lend, or sell or buy games without resorting to piracy.
partly i like having the box in my hand, and partly it’s the practical things to do with a hard copy, that’s why given the choice i prefer boxed, on disc games.
tinman9
I only purchase digital (DLC, Expansion Packs) when I have to.
If the option is there to purchased a boxed product I go with it anytime.
It’s that sensory thing of opening a new parcel, and getting out the shiny new game.
Stef Nighthawk
The only advantage I currently have is that I can use the digital content on more than one activated machine at the same time.
ie. Playing head to head or co-op with my wife on the PSP only requires me to purchase one digital copy.
The thing I find missing is the availability of a high res PDF with all the cover-art and manual we are used to with the physical copy.