Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 Gamers: Downloads or boxed games?
Filed under: Gaming, Sony Playstation 3, Xbox 360 | By: Alan Ng
Posted on: November 17, 2008 | 6 Comments
As most of you are well aware, most of the retail world is turning digital these days, with music, shopping, games, etc all being available via online distribution.
As the PSN and Xbox Live services begin to get more and more influential with regards to their relevant consoles, they are slowly beginning to offer more full games directly on their stores, in some cases cutting out the retailer all together. Do you think we are moving into a period where digital sales will take over mainstream distribution?
Quite recently Sony released a follow up to their popular Ratchet and Clank series, titled Quest for Booty, which went directly into the PSN and didnt get a retail release untill several weeks after. While some gamers out there like to own box art for a game, it was a positive move in the way that it was instantly available for download.
How do you Xbox and Playstation owners feel, do you prefer downloading off the store, or heading out to your nearest retailer and picking up the title in your hands. Drop us a comment below with your thoughts.
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Physical for me.
i would prefer physical media, as i would just feel more secure having something, rather than relying on a harddrive.
but if it came down to me getting it cheaper by downloading, then i would do that in an instance.
the problem with downloads that i have come across so far is that it is more expensive for me to download the games!!
i got both warhawk and gran turismo on physical disks. for warhawk i got the media and the bluetooth headset for the same price as the download and i got gran turismo for £5 cheaper than it cost for the download.
both of those were deals found on the internet, but neither required the use of any special codes or vouchers for them prices. i also got them on day of release via post.
If the prices are the same I prefer to pick up the title simply because I can bring it to a friends to play while I’m there. For example, it’s nice to be able to bring my copy of NHL 2009 when I go to friends which isn’t possible with a download.
But if the price was cheaper, I would prefer downloading. Then I’d probably also buy more games, even if I couldn’t bring them with me…
I would much prefer a download because I can redownload when I want and
switching games does not mean that I need to change the disk each time. I have a lot of xbox games and quite a few dont get played anymore because its a hassle just switching games. I just want to lift a controllerand start playing whatever.
has to be on disc all the way, then at least if the game is poor i can trade it in and get a few quid back, you can’t do that with downloadable titles, plus i can take the disc over to a friends house and play it there. also having the box and manuals etc is just nice to own. in the future games are going to be too big to seriously download on our infrastructure, it’s ok for those little PSN titles but it still takes an age to even download them, almost 2hrs for a 1.5Gb download?? it’s not my connection either as i have fast cable, the Store is like downloading in treacle.
Maybe when Sony charge realistic prices for the downloads I’ll be more inclined to download the game as opposed to buying it on a disc, but as it stands it’s £25 to download Gran Turismo Prologue or get a disc copy from Amazon brand new for £18, or better yet a pre-owned copy for £10, it’s a no brainer in my opinion.