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Xbox 360 and PS3, digital distribution or tangible copy?

Xbox 360 and PS3, digital distribution or tangible copy?

By: Daniel Chubb | January 20, 2009 | 4 Comments

We’ve been hearing a lot about next generation media and video games by digital distribution, but many gamers like their games in a tangible copy. We should all be aware of the pros and cons of digital distribution.

The Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 will both offer services for the gamer, although this is not to decide what service will be better. Instead we would like to hear how you like your video games, by digital distribution or tangible copy?

Some people much rather a tangible copy, an actual disc seems to have more long term value as you can sell it on at a later date while a download would most likely be just for you even after you have paid for it. These gamers are still happy to download updates and some extras.

Then you may be a gamer that prefers a game on stream, you would have no worries about corruption, or losing the actual disc. In theory you should also get the games cheaper by streaming or downloading.

So what’s your opinion about digital distribution and tangible copies of games and media?

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  • http://www.mediamolecule.co.uk mobiletone

    i’d like to see you try and trade in a digital download.
    hard copy always. nothing better than picking up a new game, reading the manual and the other ‘feelies’ inside, making room on the shelf for it, taking it over a mates to play. etc. etc. etc. also the sad fact some PSN Store titles are cheaper to buy on a blu-ray than to download from the Store. that’s just wrong.

  • http://planetidiot.com Rick

    The DRM has a long way to go, but it’s hard to deny your inner laziness the satisfaction of not having to change a disk out. I’m not as concerned about the resale so much as being able to play these games on a future console without having to repurchase them, or losing online features once the companies pull the plugs on the servers.

  • Peter

    The only way digital downloads will do it for me is if they are tied to the user, not the hardware.
    Then you no longer run the risk of damaging your discs, loosing your games etc. The format of delivery becomes irrelevant. Download it, copy it from a mates Hard drive etc, etc. If you want to play it a a mates house, just stick the game data on a memory stick and login to your account there. That would even give you access to all your save games. Retailers can still give you the material feel, buy selling packages with manuals, special edition goodies etc. The only difference is that instead of a disc it would contain a access code, just like the MS Live Gold subscription packages. Plus you could even introduce a game exchange, like an ebay for game titles, where you can swap or buy other licenses, and each time the console developer gets a small cut. Winners all around.
    Steam for example ties my games to my login, not the hardware I play it on. The future is certainly digital, lets just hope developers are smart enough to do it the right way, not the apple way.

  • Slippy Sloppy

    I have to say I’m impressed with the way Sony have started to embrace downloads for full games such as WipeOut and Burnout, WipeOut’s sold at a great price too – it’s just a shame PSN is so slow.

    For me it comes down to price, if a tangible copy is cheaper or the same price as the download then the hard copy wins every time. Make downloads £5 cheaper than the best internet price and I’m sold, though I agree with mobile tone and it’s same reason I’ve stuck with CDs – I like the packaging and the sleeves/manuals.