Video Games - Physical vs Digital?

[GREEN =w= DAY]

Physical all the way

The only digital games I own are those that only came out digitally

 

[MarvelFan]

Always physical

Not just game, I still passionately collect movies, TV Shows, reality shows that I liked on Bluray & DVD (I am currently upgrading my collection to 4K)

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

I assume that this is a bug that Sony will hopefully fix.

The future doesn’t look any better, as streaming supplants digital which supplanted physical just like the TV and movie industry (harder to find new content exclusive to streaming on digital and physical platforms.) Also digital releases get delisted and content on streaming platforms disappears all the time.

 

[Teelie]

All the more reason I distrust digital. It's never yours, it's just borrowed until the company decides to delete it only to probably relist it a few months or years later as a "remaster" which you can purchase all over again.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

See also:

Delisted Games
Welcome to Delisted Games, a growing [database and news] archive of 1,564 games you can't play

 

[metaphysician]

I am deeply skeptical of claims that "streaming games will replace all". Video games are fundamentally different from movies and music, streaming is physically incapable of working in the same manner. Which doesn't mean that companies won't push streaming, but that they won't be providing an equivalent experience, because they *can't*. Even the best effort at a streaming game will be data-intensive and prone to unpredictable latency.

Simple solution: Don't buy a streaming game, ever.

 

[Gee]

I assume that this is a bug that Sony will hopefully fix.

The future doesn’t look any better, as streaming supplants digital which supplanted physical just like the TV and movie industry (harder to find new content exclusive to streaming on digital and physical platforms.) Also digital releases get delisted and content on streaming platforms disappears all the time.

Definitely sounds like a Unix time bug... Welcome to software development where time and date manipulation can be dangerous!

Whether it was truly intentional or a human mistake, I feel sorry for console players for having such a terrible digital experience.

 

[Iceman]

Sega Is Delisting Multiple Classic Sonic Games In May Ahead Of Sonic Origins Release - GameSpot
Get them now if you want them.

 

[BatsAndNights]

Depends on how exactly it works as a digital game.

Digital games on PC, for example, can very rarely not be redownloaded and just stored on your PC's hard drive at your personal discretion. I bought Alpha Protocol years ago on Steam and was able to redownload it with no issues despite it no longer being available to purchase. Something like PS or Xbox however relies on what Sony/Microsoft want. It's definitely more convenient for obvious reasons, but it ultimately depends on this whether or not it's worth doing physical only.

 

[Drizzle]

Dusting off this thread because I've been on a crusade buying a few last-gen games that I've wanted to get around to playing. I bought digital copies of Shadow of War and Shadow of Mordor for around $15 total thanks to them being on sale on the Playstation Store. Normally I'd prefer physical copies but given that these games are a little older and the only disc versions of these I'd easily be able to come by would be on the used rack at Gamestop I'm more than ok with settling for digital.

The Witcher 3 is another game that I'm noticing is on sale right now on the Playstation Store but this is a game that I'd prefer to pick up a disc copy of if possible. So when I check online to see if the price is the same on Amazon, Best Buy, etc. for a physical copy I'm seeing that depending on the retailer it's still at least $10 higher than if I were to buy the digital version. My question is, why aren't these retailers price matching this? You would think that they'd try to get as many discs off their hands this way.

 

[Iceman]

I am deeply skeptical of claims that "streaming games will replace all". Video games are fundamentally different from movies and music, streaming is physically incapable of working in the same manner. Which doesn't mean that companies won't push streaming, but that they won't be providing an equivalent experience, because they *can't*. Even the best effort at a streaming game will be data-intensive and prone to unpredictable latency.

Simple solution: Don't buy a streaming game, ever.

Are streaming games usually bought? They make sense as part of a (often temporary) sub plan but if you were to buy it surely you would be able to download the digital version and play offline. Otherwise not sure what you are buying if you still have to stream anyway.

 

[metaphysician]

Are streaming games usually bought? They make sense as part of a (often temporary) sub plan but if you were to buy it surely you would be able to download the digital version and play offline. Otherwise not sure what you are buying if you still have to stream anyway.

"Buying games individually" was the initial/primary business model for Stadia. Its also how both Capcom and Square-Enix have done it. Subscriptions where you pay for a Netflix style library are definitely not the norm.

 

[psylockolussus]

https://www.playstationlifestyle.ne...mes-discs-phased-out-digital-downloads-sales/

A bit alarming. Though I don't live in UK.

I read one post from the comment section of that article, which said your whole library could be gone if it faces an issue and damn. That would suck.

I think I might eventually go to digitally only if the situation calls for it. I know someone who lives in the same building as I am, that owns a Ps5 without a disc drive and I was shook when he said, he is no longer buying physical games.

 

[Bran The Man]

I'm gonna say physical for my personal preference. It's just what I'm used to AND it's something tangible. I can hold it in my hands and when I buy it, I can truly say it's mine.

I feel like you lose a lot of that with digital only or even streaming. You paid for it, but do you REALLY own it if can be taken away at a moment's notice?

All that said, I did buy my first digital game a few months ago: "TMNT: Shredder's Revenge".

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

If video game companies start copying WBD's Zaslav and other movie companies, they'll start destroying their video game libraries for tax write-offs.

 

[psylockolussus]

The problem with videogames though is their preservation.

I can't play my ps2 discs because I haven't used my ps2 for a long time, and I have upgraded my TV a long time ago. Even if I have a way for my current Tv to be connected with the ps2, I think my ps2 is probably damaged because of its age and zero maintenance. While My ps1 was broken because someone touched the lens of it. So my ps2 games are unplayable now. If I had a ps3, it probably ended up like my ps2 by now.

We don't know IF Ps4/5 games will be compatible with PS6/7/8/9 and by that time, how many of our old consoles are still functioning well by that time. And I don't think I will be buying ports for the ps5 and beyond for the games I already bought for my ps4 especially now, since they are playable for the ps5 anyway. But still there's plenty of ps1 to 3 games that I want to play again but there's just no way for that to happen.

I hope physical discs will remain. Like how music cds, cassettes and vinyls have eXtended their life span even if I don't see them in every retail store now. But I think digital will be the norm in five years. I hope the stores I buy from, would still be around if that happens.

 

[B]

Game Discs No Longer Being Stocked in Leading UK Supermarket Due to Digital Sales - PlayStation LifeStyle

A bit alarming. Though I don't live in UK.

I read one post from the comment section of that article, which said your whole library could be gone if it faces an issue and damn. That would suck.

I think I might eventually go to digitally only if the situation calls for it. I know someone who lives in the same building as I am, that owns a Ps5 without a disc drive and I was shook when he said, he is no longer buying physical games.

While this is true, you could forget your password, have one of your associating accounts hacked or perhaps be banned from the platform for some reason locking you out of your account, but I would say it's extremely rare to have an account issue that would lock you out of your entire collection. Especially with today's precautions were you have several layers of information like e-mails, phone numbers, authenticators you'll almost always be able to recover your account barring unique & uncommon circumstances. The likes of Playstation, Xbox, Steam etc would all have contingency plans for various lose of access.

I've not bought a physical copy of a game in years, part of the problem is you end up downloading these massive patches anyways usually on launch days plus there are installation times for disks so what's another 30 minutes. Plus you can usually buy activation codes from reputable companies online for cheaper than you would in store, so unless you've chronically poor internet speeds or no internet at all to actually download the game in the first place, it's just easier to download them.

 

[B]

The problem with videogames though is their preservation.

I can't play my ps2 discs because I haven't used my ps2 for a long time, and I have upgraded my TV a long time ago. Even if I have a way for my current Tv to be connected with the ps2, I think my ps2 is probably damaged because of its age and zero maintenance. While My ps1 was broken because someone touched the lens of it. So my ps2 games are unplayable now. If I had a ps3, it probably ended up like my ps2 by now.

We don't know IF Ps4/5 games will be compatible with PS6/7/8/9 and by that time, how many of our old consoles are still functioning well by that time. And I don't think I will be buying ports for the ps5 and beyond for the games I already bought for my ps4 especially now, since they are playable for the ps5 anyway. But still there's plenty of ps1 to 3 games that I want to play again but there's just no way for that to happen.

I hope physical discs will remain. Like how music cds, cassettes and vinyls have eXtended their life span even if I don't see them in every retail store now. But I think digital will be the norm in five years. I hope the stores I buy from, would still be around if that happens.

A lot of the specialty stores no longer really exist in the same fashion, there's a store in the UK called GAME and, shockingly, it used to only sell games, consoles & certain accessories when I was growing up. Now however they've expanded & stock a lot more technology related items phones, watches, tablets etc, I passed the other day & there were drones in the window, I believe pre-owned.

 

[Mani-Man]

Since recently there was again a lot of talk of Streaming Platforms taking out movies etc, it can not be said enough how important physical releases are and always will be.

We lose so much stuff if this Digital trend continues.

Too much focus on online and Digital is a danger because once the owner doesnt support it any longer, the stuff is gone.
Always Online games, Online services that run these games etc...if they get taken off the servers its over.

I like how simple and easy it is to get games and movies digital, i prefer Physical over this.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

PC Gamer - Your Ubisoft account can be suspended and subsequently permanently deleted for 'inactivity,' taking your games library with it

 

[B]

PC Gamer - Your Ubisoft account can be suspended and subsequently permanently deleted for 'inactivity,' taking your games library with it

Reason number #74311 why gamers typically hate Ubisoft.

I only have an Ubisoft account, through Steam, if I recall as a user you don't or didn't actually create an account, it just automatically does it & launches whichever game you've bought. So that will be interesting if I ever try to play an old Ubisoft game.

 

[psylockolussus]

Physical games are good for back up.

Sony should imo, work on ps1/2/3 compatibility. And if they do that, they and other publishers could maybe sell the older gen games back in the market, especially the physical edition.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

 

[psylockolussus]

That sucks.

From where I live, my local gaming store also sells a lot of electronic gadgets (console, keyboards, speakers, cases, laptops). If those shops continue to eXist from where I live, then I wouldn't worry yet.

 

[Mani-Man]

People are way too unfazed by this stuff.
Are they not aware how we slowly steer towards losing media if we let it all get digital?
We have to keep Physical alive, we can not afford to give big businesses more control than they already have.