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Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 13:23 Go to next message
R315r4z0r is currently offline  R315r4z0r
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Do you prefer physical copies or digital copies of video games that you purchase?[ 48 votes ]
1. Physical Copy 28 / 58%
2. Digital Copy 9 / 19%
3. No Preference 11 / 23%

When you buy a game, do you prefer to own the physical game disk/cartridge itself? Or do you instead prefer to have access to a digital library that is available to you through a game console or your computer? Are digital copies of games just as valuable as their physical counterparts? Should they cost more money/less money?

Do you think that future game consoles will continue to create physical copies of games? Will they be phased out in favor of digital distribution? Why do you think that?
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445088 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 13:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GEORGE ZIMMER is currently offline  GEORGE ZIMMER
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Digital copy, honestly. It's tiring having a scratched disk, or something about it is outdated, so it becomes unplayable. Sure, there's problems with digital copies, but meh- it's way nicer to not have to find your misplaced disks or worry about if they're scratched or something.

Downside is, you can't lend it to your friends... but considering the amount of DRM these days, that's becoming less and less likely.

Steam sales are also pretty awesome. I'd way rather go for that, then try to find the original game on Amazon for like $50+ because it's hard to find.

Also, I think physical distribution will (and should) remain. But it should come in a different format- USB drives being used would be pretty amazing.


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[Updated on: Mon, 21 March 2011 13:44]

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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445093 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 14:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Omar007 is currently offline  Omar007
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I voted Digital.

Shortly summing up why:
1. No scratched discs
2. Auto-update
3. Can't lose it between other stuff Razz
4. Still able to play if your CD drive would crash

The only reason I would really want a physical copy is for really special collectors editions or something Thumbs Up


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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445096 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 15:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
R315r4z0r is currently offline  R315r4z0r
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Personally, I can't stand digital copies. I don't trust them.

Not being able to hold a copy of the game in my hands makes me think that somewhere down the line I will lose access to games I purchase. That's why the only games I bother to download are all play-and-forget types of games.

I've never had any problems with losing or scratching disks... except for when I lent them out to friends. But even then, it's a problem with my friend, not with replacing the copy of the game.

Physical media lets me know that I own the game. I don't have to rely on other people's utilities to use the stuff that I buy. Digital media just seems like a lie. I don't feel like I own what I purchase and it makes me uneasy; I feel like the stuff I buy can disappear in an instant and I'd be out the money I spent on it.

As far as them getting obsolete: I don't think that is a factor. Consoles and the games made for them age at the same rate. If a game becomes obsolete, so is the console that played it. If you want to play that game, you can always just hook up that old console and play it.


And if you want to get political about it, digital media puts people out of jobs by cutting out marketing, packaging and retailing processes.
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445097 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 15:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Lone0001 is currently offline  Lone0001
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I prefer Physical copies to be honest but I will buy digital copies if the game goes on sale for dirt cheap (Steam & Games for Windows Marketplace ftw), if they happen to be the same price, I would just go for the physical copy.

I don't have many worries about cds or dvds getting scratched since whenever I get a new physical copy of a game, I will make an iso of it and use that and then store the physical copy of it somewhere. I know that does sound like the same sort of thing with digital copies with the exception of not having to download anything (my connections sucks x_x) and I always have it.

Having said that though, the last physical game I have bought was Starcraft 2 (I pre-ordered it).

PS. Oh and as for the Consoles thing... Microsoft (I think that's who it was) has said that they can get 5 more years (or something like that) out of the 360.


[Updated on: Mon, 21 March 2011 15:56]

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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445110 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 20:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
snpr1101 is currently offline  snpr1101
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No preference. All I care about is that it works providing I do everything I can to keep it functioning. I can't stand shit not working for errors not of my doing. I've spent thousands of $$ in the past to get PC's and the like just functioning, so in summary, as long as it doesn't break of it's own accord then I'm fine.
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445111 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 20:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
zeratul is currently offline  zeratul
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Physical.
at least until digitals are more trustable
They are easy to take care of (unless you drop your 360 with a game)
easy to not lose (put it in the/a case when not using)
plus the ability to actually own a holdable copy of the game
when digitals are more trustable(which im sure will happen one day) then i will surely take the digital copies over physical


Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445112 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 21:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
R315r4z0r is currently offline  R315r4z0r
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The only time I will consider digital games over physical games is when they make it so my digital games are managed by me and me alone; not some internet regulation server I have no control over.
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445114 is a reply to message #445086] Mon, 21 March 2011 22:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Altzan is currently offline  Altzan
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I bought a nice external hard drive and am storing my digital copies on it.
I keep physical media too, but digital is my preference.


I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe can exist without a clockmaker. ~Voltaire
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445132 is a reply to message #445086] Tue, 22 March 2011 06:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
danpaul88 is currently offline  danpaul88
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If it comes via Steam then I am happy with a digital copy, otherwise I tend to go for a physical copy. I find other digital distribtion mechanisms to be utterly awful compared to Steam, none of them work properly or offer any useful features.

The fact that I can reimage my machine, install Steam and then leave it to chug away downloading and installing my games for me is pretty awesome.


http://steamsignature.com/card/1/76561197975867233.png

[Updated on: Tue, 22 March 2011 06:51]

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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445133 is a reply to message #445132] Tue, 22 March 2011 07:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
grant89uk is currently offline  grant89uk
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danpaul88 wrote on Tue, 22 March 2011 13:50

If it comes via Steam then I am happy with a digital copy, otherwise I tend to go for a physical copy. I find other digital distribtion mechanisms to be utterly awful compared to Steam, none of them work properly or offer any useful features.

The fact that I can reimage my machine, install Steam and then leave it to chug away downloading and installing my games for me is pretty awesome.


I agree with you there. Steam is the only digital distribution outlet that I use.
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445160 is a reply to message #445086] Tue, 22 March 2011 15:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GEORGE ZIMMER is currently offline  GEORGE ZIMMER
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Yeah, Steam is about the only decent one. MineCraft is alright, but there's the annoying as hell problem of when the login server goes down. Fuckin' Notch, has millions of dollars but still runs on some crappy server.

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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445213 is a reply to message #445096] Wed, 23 March 2011 15:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hypnos is currently offline  Hypnos
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R315r4z0r wrote on Mon, 21 March 2011 22:49

Personally, I can't stand digital copies. I don't trust them.

Not being able to hold a copy of the game in my hands makes me think that somewhere down the line I will lose access to games I purchase. That's why the only games I bother to download are all play-and-forget types of games.

I've never had any problems with losing or scratching disks... except for when I lent them out to friends. But even then, it's a problem with my friend, not with replacing the copy of the game.

Physical media lets me know that I own the game. I don't have to rely on other people's utilities to use the stuff that I buy. Digital media just seems like a lie. I don't feel like I own what I purchase and it makes me uneasy; I feel like the stuff I buy can disappear in an instant and I'd be out the money I spent on it.

As far as them getting obsolete: I don't think that is a factor. Consoles and the games made for them age at the same rate. If a game becomes obsolete, so is the console that played it. If you want to play that game, you can always just hook up that old console and play it.


And if you want to get political about it, digital media puts people out of jobs by cutting out marketing, packaging and retailing processes.



This kind of sums it up for me, I much prefer having it in my hands than having it on a PC somewhere. I've never purchased a digital copy of a game before, and I'm not inclined to start any time soon.

Steam does look reliable though, but that is the only provider of digital media that I'm familiar with.


http://i33.tinypic.com/2ls7bzb.png

Caveman wrote on Fri, 21 January 2011 08:26

Well this topic is still going on. I have to say I haven't watched much Anime recently (maybe a year or so) the last thing I saw was GITS (for the third time)

Im not too sure whether I just dont enjoy Anime anymore or whether its just I dont have time really to shit and watch it.






Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445237 is a reply to message #445086] Thu, 24 March 2011 05:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
T0RN is currently offline  T0RN
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I like to get Physical with my games
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445241 is a reply to message #445086] Thu, 24 March 2011 07:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
R315r4z0r is currently offline  R315r4z0r
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They make holes in the disks for a reason In Love
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445242 is a reply to message #445086] Thu, 24 March 2011 07:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GEORGE ZIMMER is currently offline  GEORGE ZIMMER
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giggity

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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445260 is a reply to message #445242] Thu, 24 March 2011 20:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
zeratul is currently offline  zeratul
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it took much longer than i expected for the sex jokes to appear

Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445279 is a reply to message #445260] Fri, 25 March 2011 11:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Starbuzzz
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Digital copies are where it's at tbh. The game companies get to make greater profits thru digital copies effectively squeezing out the second-hand market. Also, since everyone has high speed internet nowadays, digital copies will become the norm. This also makes sure pirates are kept at bay thanks to making a variety of more DRM options available. Such "cloud gaming" gives a lot of control to the customer and you feel like you actually own the digital copy of the game even though you can't see it.

Also, the downside with physical games is that it includes a handy manual that can be used by the player without having to reduce the game window and refer to a PDF manual when a quick reference is needed. And eventhough physical games come well protected in their own nicely-designed and padded boxes, jewel cases, and DVD-style cases, they get lost way too easily and it is VERY difficult and way too much work to keep the CD-ROM's and DVD-ROM's scratch free; this is definitely a negative against physical games.

And I know I mentioned this earlier; one of the best advantages of digital copies is that if you beat the game and don't need it anymore, you can always sell it back on ebay and get atleast quiet a bit of the money back. Digital copies are the way to go and I hope they gain popularity in the future.
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445281 is a reply to message #445086] Fri, 25 March 2011 11:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Herr Surth is currently offline  Herr Surth
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oh sarcasm

hoho

[Updated on: Fri, 25 March 2011 11:55]

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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445286 is a reply to message #445086] Fri, 25 March 2011 12:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GEORGE ZIMMER is currently offline  GEORGE ZIMMER
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I keep my discs pretty safe, yet they always manage to fuck up somehow. I have no idea why. Same goes for PS2 games and such. Also, my disc drive is shot. So that severely limits my physical game ability just because of that.

Besides, it might not be a big deal, but I'm sure less paper/plastic being used for physical games would be better for the environment.


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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445287 is a reply to message #445086] Fri, 25 March 2011 12:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
slosha is currently offline  slosha
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Steam deals. 'Nuff said. Also, big games are starting to use Steamworks, anyways. And I can crack them if I really feel the need to.

The road I cruise is a bitch now, baby.

[Updated on: Fri, 25 March 2011 12:32]

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Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445296 is a reply to message #445279] Fri, 25 March 2011 17:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
R315r4z0r is currently offline  R315r4z0r
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Starbuzzz wrote on Fri, 25 March 2011 14:44

Digital copies are where it's at tbh. The game companies get to make greater profits thru digital copies effectively squeezing out the second-hand market. Also, since everyone has high speed internet nowadays, digital copies will become the norm. This also makes sure pirates are kept at bay thanks to making a variety of more DRM options available. Such "cloud gaming" gives a lot of control to the customer and you feel like you actually own the digital copy of the game even though you can't see it.

Also, the downside with physical games is that it includes a handy manual that can be used by the player without having to reduce the game window and refer to a PDF manual when a quick reference is needed. And eventhough physical games come well protected in their own nicely-designed and padded boxes, jewel cases, and DVD-style cases, they get lost way too easily and it is VERY difficult and way too much work to keep the CD-ROM's and DVD-ROM's scratch free; this is definitely a negative against physical games.

And I know I mentioned this earlier; one of the best advantages of digital copies is that if you beat the game and don't need it anymore, you can always sell it back on ebay and get atleast quiet a bit of the money back. Digital copies are the way to go and I hope they gain popularity in the future.

Man, I can't tell anymore. Are you being serious or are you being sarcastic?
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445347 is a reply to message #445296] Sun, 27 March 2011 17:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jerad2142 is currently offline  Jerad2142
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Digital, don't have to drag 1000 cd's around with me and their cd keys anymore (granted I could e-mail the keys to myself or save them on my computer but meh, steam does that for me so why go through the extra hassle.
As for the whole "Digital providers could go out of business and you wouldn't be able to get your game anymore" argument, there are always torrents, so as long as you have a legit cd key your good to go.
In addition, yes steam could go out of business in 10 years or so, but in 10 years half the games I currently own won't work on the computer I have because the software and hardware on the system will have changed so much.


Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #445354 is a reply to message #445086] Sun, 27 March 2011 20:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rocko
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I love my steam library of online games

black and proud
Re: Game copies: Physical or Digital? [message #477610 is a reply to message #445132] Sun, 02 December 2012 01:26 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
zunnie is currently offline  zunnie
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I <3 steam Smile so digital for me.
Can install and play it anywhere i like to.
Just a thing to remember is that you have a solid password for your login.


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