Console Gaming - Physical Vs Digital

[GuyJD]

So I'm guessing most of us when it comes to PC gaming have made the switch to digital distribution via outlets such as Steam and Origin but when it comes to console gaming where do you stand?

Do you still prefer to have a disc in your hand that you can display proudly on a shelf or Do you prefer the easy "I don't have to get up off the sofa because I want to change games" lifestyle of digital downloads. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

Personally I've switched in the past 6 months from physical to digital even going as far as buying games I already own on disc again digitally just for the convenience. I think the whole game sharing system has played a heavy part in my decision as it saves paying out for 2 copies so the girlfriend and myself can play online together and it just about works out cheaper than buying 2 copies from Shopto or the likes.

 

I think if Sony and Microsoft really pushed digital distribution it could make the majority of gamers switch but until they stop charging full day one RRP for 3 year old games then it's still going to be a tough choice.

Edited April 12, 2016 by GuyJD

[sted]

id never buy another disc again if it wasn't for the fact its often significantly cheaper to buy the disc version than the digital one which makes no sense. Granted ms/Nintendo/sony don't want to hack off retailers but just allow them to sell a game card that allows you to download the game at the same price as the disc version

[LeMarchand]

I'm a cheapskate! I do prefer physical for aesthetic and pack rat reasons, plus who knows when they'll alter T&C/server access etc etc . The main advantage of digital for me is space-saving.

[2ilent8cho]

My issue with digital is not the now, its the future. I love nostalgic gaming, and i often play older games and get my original Xbox out or my Master System II. I can do this because the physical copies still work and the consoles don't need an internet connection to work.

 

If i buy a game today can i still download it and play it from the Sony store onto my PS4 in 2036? Thats the bit that makes me still buy physical. Also the fact that if i don't like the game i can take it CEX and get some money for it.

[Garacesh]

Given that the games consoles I own are last-gen (PlayStation 2 Slimline for games and XBox 360 Elite for DVD's and Netflix) I buy only physical copies. The PS2 didn't have digital distribution, so it's not like I have a choice there, but since I don't pay for XBox Live Gold, there's no disadvantage to me buying pre-owned 360 disks (except, perhaps, the chance the disk is damaged, but I've been OK so far.)

[korifugi]

I generally go with physical - mainly due to the data storage element.

 

I have a lot of games, and having them all installed digitally takes up too much space. That said, I don't mind having a number of digital titles - certainly as they can be owned without having to be installed.

 

Often though - it can be cheaper to find a physical copy for much less than a digital one, plus for some game I'm able to get a bit of a return on resale for games I've completely done.

[GuyJD]

I like the idea of being able to get resale value on a game but when companies like CEX offer you 15-20% of the RRP and then go on to sell it used for 5-10% less than RRP it really bugs me and to be honest I'd rather keep it that let them rip me off.

[Matt_Renato]

I only game on the Xbox and I'd happily buy more digital games if they were cheaper. It's far more convenient to be able to launch any game directly from the console rather than having to mess about changing discs. What puts me off is the price of digital releases on the Xbox, I'm not going to pay the same price (or more) as a physical copy for something that I can't sell on at a later date. Most of the digital titles I own have been purchased when they have been on sale.

 

It's a shame that some of the functionality Microsoft originally proposed got dropped. I would have really liked to have seen the ability to loan titles to people digitally and re-sell digital content.

[RyReZar]

If its a sport game or a big release like Fallout and TES then I'll buy physical both on PC and console but everything else I buy is digital, just a lot easier than having to change discs.

[Duranis]

Mostly digital. My personal gaming is mostly on PC so pretty much everything I buy goes through steam and I havent bought a physical copy of a PC game in at least 10 years. Both my boys have an xbox one (one in a bedroom the other in the living room) and are set up so they share digital content. This makes it a lot cheaper to buy one digital copy that they can both use over 2 physical copies (normally saves £40-50 depending on the game). The only downside to that is if the Xbox live services are down you cant play anything as it cannot check if you own the rights to it or not.