Does anyone else feel cheated by the idea of downloadable games?

1. 87

   M. T. Dremerposted 11 years ago

   Does anyone else feel cheated by the idea of downloadable games?
   
   A lot of games now are being sold as downloads. For example, a lot of people pre-purchased and pre-downloaded Diablo 3 before it came out. Then, when it was released, they never received a physical copy. I know that this is appealing to game developers, because they save money on production and they combat the used video game market, but how do you feel about it? Personally, I feel a bit cheated if I don't get a physical product. I know I can always re-download it if my computer dies, but that's not the point. I don't like paying for a product that I can't physically hold in my hands.

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2. 59

   mbergoposted 11 years ago

   Personally I prefer to download games or apps. It is so much easier and you get it straight away without going into some store or wait for it in the mail (I hate shopping). I can only imagine a few exceptions like e.g. Grand Theft Auto where I would like to have the physical maps.

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3. 60

   Khal Blogoposted 11 years ago

   Not really, if it's DRM free, nothing can stop you from making a physical back-up, like i do with all my games from gog.

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4. 62

   warchild75posted 11 years ago

   Yes! I loved nothing more than queuing outside game to get my hands on the latest game!! I like to hold it and unwrap it not download it!!!!

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5. 39

   Borsiaposted 11 years ago

   I'm not a gamer but I do buy programs, books and music.
   So long as they don't charge some sort of shipping or handling I prefer to download it.
   If I want a copy I can make my own and in today's Blue Ray you can put 25 MB on one disc, several games.
   The problem I have is that in the countries I live in the download speeds are very slow,,, think 1990s dial up.
   Making that worse is that most of the time if you attempt to set your computer to download before you go to bed it will stop downloading during the night, often holding for some stupid prompt like "are you sure you want to download the second half?"
   on the flip side there is no mail service and something like a cd or dvd will almost always be stolen in route.

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6. 75

   JohnGreasyGamerposted 11 years ago

   I think Digital Downloads are the future, which is why a lot of my favourite retail stores (mostly Gamestation) are going into administration. Over 1/3rd of video game stores owned by GAME in the UK are being removed because of this. I love smelling the inside of a case and cracking it open to get the disc. Furthermore, digital isn't available everywhere and often requires an internet connection. Some of us can't get the bandwidth to download 20 gigs of game in under three minutes. Plus, digital download has many installation problems which I just can't do with 90% of the time.

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7. 67

   Steven Grayposted 11 years ago

   With the advent of Steam for PC and the integration of DLC into XBox and PS3, downloadable content is the future.  Cloud-based purchases take time to download, but they are a more reliable backup than a physical disc, which can be scratched or broken.
   
   I think that physical discs and boxes for games will continue on as a marketing incentive among high-profile games.  A recent example is the pre-order campaign for the upcoming "Assassin's Creed III," and its collectable artwork.
   
   For the casual and weekend gamer, it's my opinion that DLC is the definite future.  For devoted franchise fans and hardcore collectors, I believe that game publishers will continue to make physical copies with collectable materials.
   
   Who knows, hard copy games might be the new vinyl!

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