If Digital Download is the future then how long?

Digital Download is pretty much the future right but how long will it take so it doesn`t take that long to download? I kind a guy who still like to own his games and anyone that says it is a joke need to wake up. Let make this comaprison it is like a buying a car at full price then the guys you can only keep if for three years. If you are a console players do you think Wii 2, PS4, and XBOX 720 will go all digtial? I may be attached to physical media but I believe it is going back to its original function a storage medium. Physical media will always be here but with its original purpose of storing stuff on them. Am I right or not?

As a person whose internet connection downloads at 40kB/s I really hope the digital only age is a long way off, but I do see it happening. The internet where I live is shocking in places and I imagine there are other places worldwide that are similar. Digital only gaming wont arise until there is the infrastucture to support it and I certainly dont see that happening by the PS4 etc. but the next gen after that it could be possible. Personally I'd prefer it to maintain physical distribution forever but I'm realistic and dont see that happening.

it takes me less time to download an 8 GB game than it does for me to get into my car, drive to a gamestop, come back and install it. Never mind ordering it online and waiting for shipping times.

For me, physical media could be entirely dead for all i care.

it takes me less time to download an 8 GB game than it does for me to get into my car, drive to a gamestop, come back and install it. Never mind ordering it online and waiting for shipping times.

For me, physical media could be entirely dead for all i care.

XaosII

normally id agree but its not for the same reasons as above

its ALOT harder to get a company like 2k or gearbox or w/e to push an indie game through made by some dude in his basement. on the internet its INFINITELY easier. indipendant developers were almost non-existant before flash came into our lives and with the advent of digital distribution those single dudes can form companies and really get their games moving.

before we had digital distribution.. indie developers were nearly non-existant.

could you imagine trying to get say.. manchurium or blueberry garden into a game box.. no even EA would take you seriously.

could you imagine trying to convince activion to throw out deathspank into the amrket before then? never.. not once would it happen, why? your one ddue with a low budget games with nothing i cant do with the teams already here or its to risque to put in a box and risk losing sales due to a bad esrb rating.

now.. steam has a library of a few hundred games made in peoples basements with alot of success as a whole (not as individuals, but there are exceptions, such as deathspank, or manchurium or the path)

All you have to do is look at this weeks Steam sale to see why its so popular on PC.

Its also a win-win situtation. Games cost less to us, they cost less to produce.

I've been buying new-releases from places like cdwow/shopto though as I don't mind waiting a few days to own the box copy.

I would say next gen they have full digital downloads for most to all games, but will still be retial games.

PC was proven it can be very successfull.

All you have to do is look at this weeks Steam sale to see why its so popular on PC.

snokdruid

• Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
• Fallout 3 Game of the Year Version
• Fallout: New Vegas
• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Version
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Version
• Rogue Warrior

All for $70.

0. Digital download will soon die due to the end of net neutrality.

Your ISP is no longer going to be under any obligation to allow you to download 30 gigs of games a day.

0. Digital download will soon die due to the end of net neutrality.

Your ISP is no longer going to be under any obligation to allow you to download 30 gigs of games a day.

Pixel-Pirate

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

0. Digital download will soon die due to the end of net neutrality.

Your ISP is no longer going to be under any obligation to allow you to download 30 gigs of games a day.

muthsera666

More to the point, your ISP is not under any obligation to do so now. They could charge by the kilobit if they wanted to. Fortunately there's a lot of competition to keep prices in check.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

0. Digital download will soon die due to the end of net neutrality.

Your ISP is no longer going to be under any obligation to allow you to download 30 gigs of games a day.

myke2010

More to the point, your ISP is not under any obligation to do so now. They could charge by the kilobit if they wanted to. Fortunately there's a lot of competition to keep prices in check.

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

0. Digital download will soon die due to the end of net neutrality.

Your ISP is no longer going to be under any obligation to allow you to download 30 gigs of games a day.

muthsera666

In the near future (lets say next console generation) digital distribution will be a standard, but of course physical media will still be available in stores. It has already become the standard for PC games as only major titles see physical retail releases.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

0. Digital download will soon die due to the end of net neutrality.

Your ISP is no longer going to be under any obligation to allow you to download 30 gigs of games a day.

myke2010

More to the point, your ISP is not under any obligation to do so now. They could charge by the kilobit if they wanted to. Fortunately there's a lot of competition to keep prices in check.

They could but i don't think it will be a huge difference. I think it will become who ever doesn't cap it will gain alot of new customers

[QUOTE="myke2010"]

[QUOTE="muthsera666"] Why would you be downloading 30 gigs of games a day?muthsera666

More to the point, your ISP is not under any obligation to do so now. They could charge by the kilobit if they wanted to. Fortunately there's a lot of competition to keep prices in check.

People are under the misconception there are thousands of providers to choose from.

Several areas of the country, even huge ones, have ONE provider in the area. You choose them or go home. They can charge you whatever they want because you have no choice.

I go two ways on this i love the game cases and then there would be no collectors editions :cry:. And then there is the console will be tons smaller and you can transport it very very easily.

DD need to prove better hardcopy. DDhas not done it yet. For every strength DD have over hardcopy it has a weakness.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

0. Digital download will soon die due to the end of net neutrality.

Your ISP is no longer going to be under any obligation to allow you to download 30 gigs of games a day.

Archangel3371

I like Digital Downloads, my normal download speed is around 1.25 Mbps.

You can still own a game with DD - all you need to do is save the installation program on another drive or in its own folder you create.

The advantage of some of the DD websites is they allow you unlimited reinstalls, such as when you buy a new PC, or if you had to replace a hard drive.

Since PC gaming is already mostly digital, it's only a matter of time since... the consoles follow the PC trend.

well now things are going down hill for the internet fcc just passed a law that basically charges ya by what you use rather then a flat fee with that said i hope it never takes over ,

cause then wed need to be a millionaire just to play games at that time

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="myke2010"]

More to the point, your ISP is not under any obligation to do so now. They could charge by the kilobit if they wanted to. Fortunately there's a lot of competition to keep prices in check.

Pixel-Pirate

People are under the misconception there are thousands of providers to choose from.

Several areas of the country, even huge ones, have ONE provider in the area. You choose them or go home. They can charge you whatever they want because you have no choice.

A good point but all it will take is that ONE provider to push it that far then you will see One more then another then another look at cell phone providers how many were there when cell phones hit the larger public market? How many have come and gone up until now, how many companies still provide land lines, how many still accept a rotary phone in there costumer service calls? speculation is fun but it hardly holds any ground until it becomes truth.

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

[QUOTE="muthsera666"] They could charge an astronomical fee just for access. But it wouldn't make fiscal sense. There are always possibilities, but that doesn't mean that they are viable.Oniresurrect

People are under the misconception there are thousands of providers to choose from.

Several areas of the country, even huge ones, have ONE provider in the area. You choose them or go home. They can charge you whatever they want because you have no choice.

A good point but all it will take is that ONE provider to push it that far then you will see One more then another then another look at cell phone providers how many were there when cell phones hit the larger public market? How many have come and gone up until now, how many companies still provide land lines, how many still accept a rotary phone in there costumer service calls? speculation is fun but it hardly holds any ground until it becomes truth.

I'm pretty sure setting up a cellphone network is not the same as setting up land lines for internet connection.

[QUOTE="Oniresurrect"]

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

People are under the misconception there are thousands of providers to choose from.

Several areas of the country, even huge ones, have ONE provider in the area. You choose them or go home. They can charge you whatever they want because you have no choice.

Pixel-Pirate

A good point but all it will take is that ONE provider to push it that far then you will see One more then another then another look at cell phone providers how many were there when cell phones hit the larger public market? How many have come and gone up until now, how many companies still provide land lines, how many still accept a rotary phone in there costumer service calls? speculation is fun but it hardly holds any ground until it becomes truth.

I'm pretty sure setting up a cellphone network is not the same as setting up land lines for internet connection.

Its not that far off after all every cell tower has to be connected to something, not to mention setup is not the issue its service.

With physical utility, it is not uncommon to have a legal but control monopoly. The reason is that they want to limit the number going into a place.