Physical copy or DL copy?

[Nephlabobo]

Was just thinking about this today as I was thinking about Super Stardust and Everyday Shooter for PSN and Ikaruga and Rez for XBox Live.

I'm not thrilled about games taking up more and more space on my HD and even though I appreciate games like Ikaruga getting a re-release, I would rather have a physical copy.

Even if Microsoft and Sony did a kind of "Best of DCL" disc at the end of every year for $10 or $20 with the best selling games on a compilation. Maybe an Eye Toy game collection for the PS3 owners or something of the like.

What do you think? Good idea or are you happy to just dl it?

[cochesecochese]

I'm a big fan of the downloads. Not a big fan of DLC and ending up with goddamn incomplete games after I pay full price for them at retail.

I dumped just about all of my last gen stuff save for a few key titles and I feel like I will do the same with this gen.

[Trenchalicious]

Just like women, Physical

[SL4IN]

I really prefer to own a physical copy of a game when I buy it. Obviously there's nothing we can do about PSN, XBLA, or VC games, but for full retail games, I'd like to be able to hold the game in my hands and say "this is my game. I physically own this game." rather than just having it on a harddrive.

[daroga]

If I'm spending more than $10 for something, I like to have a physical disc.

That being said, I love the fact that I can boot up a system and have a whole library of games to choose from without putting in different discs, without having much in the way of load times, etc. Good for just some quick time wasters.

[Dark Slayer120]

I really prefer to own a physical copy of a game when I buy it. Obviously there's nothing we can do about PSN, XBLA, or VC games, but for full retail games, I'd like to be able to hold the game in my hands and say "this is my game. I physically own this game." rather than just having it on a harddrive.

This.

[Kaijufan]

For small games like Xbox Live Arcade games I don't mind downloading them. For full games, I want the physical copy.

[Moxio]

If I'm spending more than $10 for something, I like to have a physical disc.

That being said, I love the fact that I can boot up a system and have a whole library of games to choose from without putting in different discs, without having much in the way of load times, etc. Good for just some quick time wasters.

I share roughly the same sentiments. The exception is probably Steam, which I like online fine because I can easily re-download the games anywhere. As for XBLA, the whole sticking to your HD and not account deal sucks.

[hiccupleftovers]

I share roughly the same sentiments. The exception is probably Steam, which I like online fine because I can easily re-download the games anywhere. As for XBLA, the whole sticking to your HD and not account deal sucks.

Yup, otherwise physical copy is best.

[wubb]

I always prefer a physical copy because then I can sell it when I'm finished.

I do that with pretty much every game I buy, so I'm actually fairly hesitant to plunk down any money on a download only game. I did pick up a 1600 point XBL card though so I guess I will buy a couple things. :)

[PyroGamer]

Physical. For moral reasons.

[Chacrana]

There is not ever a time when I wouldn't rather have the phsyical copy.

[BustaUppa]

That being said, I love the fact that I can boot up a system and have a whole library of games to choose from without putting in different discs, without having much in the way of load times, etc. Good for just some quick time wasters.That IS very nice. Lately I play XBLA games more than retail games. So I can go for a good while playing games before I even have to to swap discs or anything.

With that said, the IDEAL situation for me would be having physical copies of arcade games, with the option to install them to the hard drive. Oddly enough, I'm not really into PC gaming (figured I may as well beat the inevitable "hey, there's an amazing new platform that can do that" jokes to the punch).

[Azumangaman]

I really prefer to own a physical copy of a game when I buy it. Obviously there's nothing we can do about PSN, XBLA, or VC games, but for full retail games, I'd like to be able to hold the game in my hands and say "this is my game. I physically own this game." rather than just having it on a harddrive.
EPIC Truth

[mrchainsaw]

Physical copy so I can sell it when I'm done with it.

[hankmecrankme]

Physical copy always. And I'd rather buy PSN games than XBL games, because I don't have to be online to play them and I can download them 5 times. I have a few XBLA games, but I have to be on the internet to play them. I like being able to haul my PS3 to a friend's house and not have to be connected to the internet to throw down in Tekken 5 DR or Puzzle Fighter.

[eswat]

For console and handheld, physical.

PC, download (not that kind of download). Hard to buy most PC games second-hand with online authentication/CD-keys anyway.

[TC]

Physical copy so I can sell it when I'm done with it.

I'll also stick with a physical copy.

The only thing that might sway me is if the game was $60 in the store and say around $45 for a download on release day. If I'm going to help them save on shipping/distribution costs then I'd better see some savings. Otherwise it makes no sense not to own a disc.

[happy]

physical so I can get it cheap when the above people are done and selling it. I wouldn't mind compilation disks with a bunch of top games to make up for the cost of burning the disks. Also I would worry about running out of HD space, especially considering the 360 is limited to very expensive MS HDs.

[ighosty]

Physical copy so I can sell it when I'm done with it.

only reason to download a game is if it is either free, or I can't get it on any other console I own.

[Jewelz23]

Physical Copy definitely, but I feel like this is going to cost a premium eventually.

[KingBroly]

Physical copy. Always. Unless the Digital copy is significantly cheaper. If a game's physical copy is $60, a DL copy would have to be $40 for me to get it that way.

The problem with digital content thus far is that the prices are not dropping with their physical counterparts. For example, Warhawk now has a $40 disc, but the DL version is still $40. Another, Shivering Isles is $30, while I can get the Shivering Isles disc (with additional content to boot) for the same price.

[guinaevere]

even though I appreciate games like Ikaruga getting a re-releaseAre you telling me my beautiful sealed copy of Ikaruga is going to tank in value? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/guinaevere/smilies/grumps.gif

[GodlyOne]

I'd rather have a physical copy of a game I'm purchasing but good thing Ikaruga's getting a digital release since I'd probably have to shell out 100 or more dollars on eBay for it.

[Puffa469]

of course Physical

You actually own a physical copy of a game.

Think of DLC as a 'long term rental'.

Can you sell it? Can you lend it to a friend? If no, then you dont own it.

[Rusty Ghia]

of course Physical

You actually own a physical copy of a game.

Think of DLC as a 'long term rental'.

Can you sell it? Can you lend it to a friend? If no, then you dont own it.

Exactly. Add to that the fact that you can usually only get downloaded games from one source so there is no competition to get a game cheaper elsewhere. Want to buy Omega 5? Sorry chump, you're only getting it direct from Microsoft. Take it or leave it.

[The Mana Knight]

It depends overall.

I like a physical game because I can resell it if I really dislike it or get tired of it, and it's sometimes nice to have an extra game to look at it my collection. But at the same time, each physical copy takes up space, and I personally prefer to not have much junk around. Also, sometimes I'm too lazy to insert a game into my consoles (I play my disc based games less on my PS3 since I have to get up and insert a disc).

I like downloads because I can store many on a HDD or so and can access them very easily. If I travel around, I can have several games on me without having to carry much. Oh course, once you get a download you're stuck with it (I regretted downloads on all consoles), and a download might not seem as meaningful (since it's kind of hard to prove you own something).

But overall, I don't really care because I buy both downloads and physical copies.:)

[Liquid 2]

I share roughly the same sentiments. The exception is probably Steam, which I like online fine because I can easily re-download the games anywhere. As for XBLA, the whole sticking to your HD and not account deal sucks.
This.

[lordxixor101]

I also agree on the physical copy. My biggest concern isn't now, but it's 10 years from now.

I downloaded Puzzle Quest from XBLA. Everything is fine now, but what if, in 10 years, my 360 stops working. Sure, I can get a new one. But, will I be able to replay this game (I actually do replay older games, just replayed FFVII 2 years ago, which was about 8 years old at the time). At that point, MS won't let me re-download it, and I may have no access to it. So, I'll just be out the game. If the same thing happens with my Playstation, I have the option of picking up another one used. Sure, something can happen to a physical copy of a game, but if it does, it's one game. If something happens to your downloaded source, it's every game.

Plus, their is something really nice to popping open a game (even a used one), flipping through the instructions, and putting the disc in for the first time. It just isn't the same with a downloaded game (though, this is the nostaligic part of me, for anyone being born now, they likely won't ever own physical copies of games, so downloading them will give them that same excitement).

[Gourd]

Physical if I can help it.

Going through three 360s sort of put a damper on my enthusiasm for DRM locked content.

[Puffa469]

Are you telling me my beautiful sealed copy of Ikaruga is going to tank in value? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/guinaevere/smilies/grumps.gif

It probably wont. DLC/VC availability usually has little effect on the value of physical copies of the game.

Its actually a great solution for everyone. People get to play rare & expensive games for cheap, and collectors are happy cos theres no reprint for them to lose sleep over.

[prence]

I'd be fine with downloadable games if there weren't 8,000 restrictions on them.

I bought a bunch of XBLA games and had fun playing them while I still lived under my parents roof with a slick broadband connection. After I moved out and realized I was too broke for constant Internet (shameful I admit), I plugged my 360 in and realized I couldn't play any of the fucking XBLA games I paid for.

That'll teach me not to read more in depth into what I'm buying.. and it'll also teach me to ever buy a fucking XBLA game ever again.

[Puffa469]

I'd be fine with downloadable games if there weren't 8,000 restrictions on them.

I bought a bunch of XBLA games and had fun playing them while I still lived under my parents roof with a slick broadband connection. After I moved out and realized I was too broke for constant Internet (shameful I admit), I plugged my 360 in and realized I couldn't play any of the fucking XBLA games I paid for.

That'll teach me not to read more in depth into what I'm buying.. and it'll also teach me to ever buy a fucking XBLA game ever again.

This is why I say 'consider dlc as a long term rental' You can never own something with drm, and restrictions attached to it. Its not ideal, but its good enough for some. Im glad the option is out there for people to play Rez and Ikaruga and whatever. Im glad that everyone can get the chance to play rare games, even if they dont own them. ;)

[Wolfkin]

I need to get physical every time. As many people pointed out if digital versions reflected the cheapness of not having to make a package that would be one thing, but they don't. My price point is $5. If I'm paying more than $5 then I want a physical copy. My reasoning is lord xixor's (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3877917&postcount=29). I want to be able to play this games years from now. Personally it might be a few years before i get to some of the games I have. I can tell you without looking that I have FF:CC and three splinter cell games still sealed on my shelf but I'm in no hurry because I can always boot up my cube next year and still play them. The only exception I'll probably make to this is for VC games. I don't like the way the system works at all but VC games if not the VC itself have an unnaturally large attraction for me. I really really want to play some of those games. Quite frankly I stopped liking PC gaming when they all started to required the disc.