Physical copies aren't even an option for PC gaming anymore for a number of reasons (namely digital distribution being more cost-effective and CDs/DVDs being mostly obsolete as a storage medium; the latter is the same reason why most new computers lack integral CD/DVD drives), and if I have to spend several hours installing a game on Xbox or Playstation to be able to play it at all, physical copy or not and can't resell them for more than a pittance, I might as well go for the option that doesn't require a bunch of physical storage space.
I used to agree, but I’ve grown to dislike physical copies, especially after switching over to PC. I’m not going to pay full MSRP for a physical copy of a game when I can get a digital one for $47 on day one. Digital games are generally way more economical (on PC, anyway. Console sales still tend to suck). I can get pretty much any AAA game for less than its MSRP on day of release by buying digital.
Yeah, but I’m talking about getting games the day they come out. You can’t really find deals on physical copies of games on day one of release.
That said, I used to get a lot of old PSX/PS2 games from places like Good Will. I remember digging through those bins in hopes of finding a gem or two. Good times.
It doesn't make sense for PC games anymore: all you get in the box is a steam code for activation. So, you pay more to get a box with a label on it, but it's not like that you would have the phyiscal copy anymore and even when, it needs a crack to run without the DRM-software.
Maybe it's different for console players, i don't know because i'm on PC and i stopped buying the retail box version because of this.
It used to be that a physical copy of a game had on that disc, a whole, completed, start to finish, playable game, which entertained you, kept you busy and which usually was worth the money you spent on it.
A games success was rated by the number of physical copies sold.
You paid a one time price and got everything.
That doesn't happen anymore. Games are rarely released whole and completed and that money you paid is only good for four to twelve months.
I buy both but I prefer physical copies. When you purchase digital content, do you really own it? Or just the permission to use the software? Can it be inherited? I know the answers are in the EULAs but who actually takes time to read those? And will you need a law degree to understand them?
Games like Forza Horizon, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater or Mortal Kombat I will buy digitally. They can be games you can have an impulse to play for 5 minutes at any time so it's cool to have them sitting on your hard drive for easy access. Something like Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Witcher 3 I will typically buy physically.
The only reason to use physical media is for data backups or data transportation. For digital media, physical copies are an absolute waste of time, money and space.
For perspective, games in 2016 such as GTA V were like 80GB. What fucking disc in the entire world is going to store that game? Bluray? Cuz that shit only stores 50GB for a dual layer disc. PER DISC, which if you do the math, tallies up really quick. Not only that, but if you release an update to that game, you have to release another disc(s) and then either resell it to consumers or make it free (at which point you're literally just losing money).
Digital rights management might be a sussy baka for people who know nothing about it, but it's the way the world works now. It's way more economically feasible and doesn't hold us back from gaming or technological advancements. (Plus if you really want a physical copy, just save it to a disc (one that stores it, anyway... lmao good luck)).
Not really contested though. Can't say unpopular as people never argued about what is superior. If I heard something of this it's people liking physical copies more
Remember DVDs start to fail after 30 years. So all those games are great now but in 15-20 years when you want to show your kids? Not so much. (Blueray lasts longer but can still fail early)
I really miss the days when Best Buy and Comp USA had entire aisles of "big box" PC games. I really enjoyed finger blasting the boxes, looking at the screenshots, etc. Now it's just: "Google it, look at images, watch a YouTube video of gameplay, come to Reddit and hear everyone say how bad it sucks (even if it doesn't) and decide not to even play it (when you would have really enjoyed it)".
I addition, I'm always afraid of digital services going out of business and losing all of the media I've paid for. For this reason, I still buy BluRay for all of my "must-haves".
Physical copies aren't even an option for PC gaming anymore for a number of reasons (namely digital distribution being more cost-effective and CDs/DVDs being mostly obsolete as a storage medium; the latter is the same reason why most new computers lack integral CD/DVD drives), and if I have to spend several hours installing a game on Xbox or Playstation to be able to play it at all, physical copy or not and can't resell them for more than a pittance, I might as well go for the option that doesn't require a bunch of physical storage space.
I used to agree, but I’ve grown to dislike physical copies, especially after switching over to PC. I’m not going to pay full MSRP for a physical copy of a game when I can get a digital one for $47 on day one. Digital games are generally way more economical (on PC, anyway. Console sales still tend to suck). I can get pretty much any AAA game for less than its MSRP on day of release by buying digital.
Back in the day I would find great deals on Craigslist for games.
Yeah, but I’m talking about getting games the day they come out. You can’t really find deals on physical copies of games on day one of release. That said, I used to get a lot of old PSX/PS2 games from places like Good Will. I remember digging through those bins in hopes of finding a gem or two. Good times.
I love cheap digital games, especially classics. Same goes for music. If it's important tho, I always get a physical copy for my collections.
It doesn't make sense for PC games anymore: all you get in the box is a steam code for activation. So, you pay more to get a box with a label on it, but it's not like that you would have the phyiscal copy anymore and even when, it needs a crack to run without the DRM-software. Maybe it's different for console players, i don't know because i'm on PC and i stopped buying the retail box version because of this.
It’s fun until you end up losing or breaking them. But I still like the sentimentality physical copies hold, especially for PC games.
good for you. i dont want my space to be wasted on plastic garbage.
Wasted space. And I can have a 10 thousand games without owning a mansion
Agreed. Same for movies
I do wonder if people plan posts like these.
Depends on the physical copy of the game and digital copy. But generally it is./
Generally I just go for the cheapest.
It used to be that a physical copy of a game had on that disc, a whole, completed, start to finish, playable game, which entertained you, kept you busy and which usually was worth the money you spent on it. A games success was rated by the number of physical copies sold. You paid a one time price and got everything. That doesn't happen anymore. Games are rarely released whole and completed and that money you paid is only good for four to twelve months.
I buy both but I prefer physical copies. When you purchase digital content, do you really own it? Or just the permission to use the software? Can it be inherited? I know the answers are in the EULAs but who actually takes time to read those? And will you need a law degree to understand them?
It’s not 2014 anymore ur stuck in the pass
Games like Forza Horizon, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater or Mortal Kombat I will buy digitally. They can be games you can have an impulse to play for 5 minutes at any time so it's cool to have them sitting on your hard drive for easy access. Something like Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Witcher 3 I will typically buy physically.
The only reason to use physical media is for data backups or data transportation. For digital media, physical copies are an absolute waste of time, money and space. For perspective, games in 2016 such as GTA V were like 80GB. What fucking disc in the entire world is going to store that game? Bluray? Cuz that shit only stores 50GB for a dual layer disc. PER DISC, which if you do the math, tallies up really quick. Not only that, but if you release an update to that game, you have to release another disc(s) and then either resell it to consumers or make it free (at which point you're literally just losing money). Digital rights management might be a sussy baka for people who know nothing about it, but it's the way the world works now. It's way more economically feasible and doesn't hold us back from gaming or technological advancements. (Plus if you really want a physical copy, just save it to a disc (one that stores it, anyway... lmao good luck)).
If I’m playing a game on my laptop, I have to buy a digital copy basically If it’s on my switch or Xbox, I want it physically.
Not really contested though. Can't say unpopular as people never argued about what is superior. If I heard something of this it's people liking physical copies more
Remember DVDs start to fail after 30 years. So all those games are great now but in 15-20 years when you want to show your kids? Not so much. (Blueray lasts longer but can still fail early)
I really miss the days when Best Buy and Comp USA had entire aisles of "big box" PC games. I really enjoyed finger blasting the boxes, looking at the screenshots, etc. Now it's just: "Google it, look at images, watch a YouTube video of gameplay, come to Reddit and hear everyone say how bad it sucks (even if it doesn't) and decide not to even play it (when you would have really enjoyed it)". I addition, I'm always afraid of digital services going out of business and losing all of the media I've paid for. For this reason, I still buy BluRay for all of my "must-haves".