I am really new to gaming so for me the Digital download is so much better and when it come to being ready to play I don't have to look, find and insert disk, I just have to click. Then there are the old time gamers who have to have a disk, manual and box to call the game a game. I go through STEAM and GOG (Good Old Games) I just love this place.
Personally, I prefer disc based games for the moment, mainly because digitial distribution has a long way to go. It has potential, and I use steam, but I still prefer retail disc based games. Besides, I can get PS2 games for super cheap at my local gamestop...
What I really like about the digital distribution stuff is on the PSN, how Final Fantasy VII had gone to selling for about 80 dollars just because it was out of print, but now FFVII and VIII are only 10 dollars, and that's a lot more manageable for me.
Like I said, digital distribution has lots of potential, I just don't think it's been fully realized. For very rare or out of print games, it can be a godsend, but for more common games, it can be a nightmare. Let cite the PSP Go as an example of where digital distribution fails. For one thing, the Go has no UMD (Universal Media Disc) drive whatsoever, meaning your forced to use Digital Distribution. And the PSN doesn't have all the retail games. And I could get the same game in my local gamestop used for cheaper and be able to play it right then and there. With a Go I'd have to find a Wi-fi access point and then wait for it to download. Now, the Go is a rather extreme example... Sony kind of failed with it in my opinion. Steam is a very good example of Digital Distribution doing everything right. I love steam (I just downloaded Monkey Island 2 off of it...) In fact, digital Distribution is great for adventure games. They may not sell well in retail, but they can fare much better online.
Wooh, that was a long post... You can tell I'm rather into video games lol XD
Digital distribution is great when done right.
Microsoft's "Games on Demand" is an example of doing things wrong. When you can buy a copy of a game on disc with a box and manual for under half the price that they offer it to you digitally, you have to wonder whether it's worth it.
I prefer my boxes and manuals (especially the latter), but digital is great in the sense that you only have to wait for the download of a game, and not have to go to a shop and buy it/order it online and wait! Plus being able to purchase a videogame back catalogue for cheaper than hunting for it on eBay and having to have the proper consoles to play it on is always a bonus.
While I have nothing against digital downloads, there's nothing quite like physically holding a box in your hands that contains the key to your next adventure. That... sounded kind of cheesy, but being the somewhat old fashioned person I am, I can't help loving the feeling of holding that game/book/movie you've been looking forward to in your own hands for the first time. Digital downloads do have their perks, though.
Ahh, someone found the portrait of Cassima and Ted Danson, I see!
I was thinking it looked more like Scott Bakula.
Hahaha, aw man, now I'm going to imagine Ted Danson every time I see it! XD
I would say he looks like Quantum Leap era Scott Bakula a little bit.
I prefer hard copies over digital DL. I gives me the impression (illusion?) that I truly own the game, since I can feel the box in my hands!
Given a choice I prefer hard copies over digital download when possible, but I'm happy to download too and I agree it's a great way to play games that would not be available otherwise.
Quote from: GwydionAE on July 14, 2010, 06:30:36 AM
While I have nothing against digital downloads, there's nothing quite like physically holding a box in your hands that contains the key to your next adventure.
I think that was worded brilliantly.
I prefer hard copies because of how fluid computers can be. They can crash or get reformatted and then
woosh! everything is gone.
This is especially true with iTunes.
And even thought you CAN "back up" everything, it's nice having an original of the things that are most important to you. So that they have dignified cover art and all.
That's why I have all of Avril Lavigne's physical CDs rather than digital copies.
I'll say that digitized media has changed my life in one particular way - my Kindle. I love reading, I'm absolutely passionate about it, but over the years it's become more and more difficult to take books places with me. Particularly as I've started reading longer and longer books. The Kindle made reading totally convenient for me again, I now carry hundreds of books with me everywhere I go. Entire series like Stephen King's Dark Tower or The Lord of the Rings all together on a single device that I can easily take just about anywhere.
Physical copies are also important if they hold sentimental value to a person. For example, I would much rather have a physical copy of Sierra's past adventure games (particularly King's Quest) because they were so important in my upbringing as a kid. If I absolutely have to, I will take a digital copy, but I'd prefer a hard copy of King's Quest if at all possible.