Is Digital Distribution going to end video games for good?

Well Digital Distribution is ok for music, movies, and tv show but not for video games. Like the PSP Go which is DD and so far the PSP Go isn't selling because of the price and no UMD. But the next gen system like PS4 or the next Xbox will they have Digital Distribution to banned the disc. Well if it happen then i will stop playing video games because of the price. so people don't have credit card and Digital Distribution is going to hurt game stores like Best Buy, Gamestop and others. The reason why PSP Go is a failuer from day one because of Digital Distribution games for the same price as the UMD. They should just less cut the price of a new DD game for the PSP because nobody isn't going to buy alot of $50.00. now Sony is tsting the PSP Go and it haven't worked for them but the next PSP which is PSP2 will have some type of media which is not Digital Distribution. but if it happen then video games would be dead and you have to pay by credit card which alot of game don't have it will turn alway.

Digital distribution has already taken over the PC market, and is becoming more important on consoles every year, mainly because it has been shown to actually work.

Sony completely failed with the PSPGo, but many other companies have been much more successful (like Valve with Steam), so don't let one example sway your opinion. Also, if anything, DD allows smaller developers to get their games to the masses, it allows bigger companies to take a few more risks, it makes classics more available at cheap prices, and it allows all sorts of new forms of gaming (like episodic series)...so I think it'll create a great boost to gaming. It certainly won't kill it, either way.

Digital distribution has already taken over the PC market, and is becoming more important on consoles every year, mainly because it has been shown to actually work.

Sony completely failed with the PSPGo, but many other companies have been much more successful (like Valve with Steam), so don't let one example sway your opinion. Also, if anything, DD allows smaller developers to get their games to the masses, it allows bigger companies to take a few more risks, it makes classics more available at cheap prices, and it allows all sorts of new forms of gaming (like episodic series)...so I think it'll create a great boost to gaming. It certainly won't kill it, either way.

Planeforger

Also you got to worry about the price of DD, nobody doesn't have a credit card and you know it is a pain in the ass to have one and you got to pay fee. You know you can download up to 5 PSP DD game on your PSP Go and that suck ass. The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again. I like to hold a copy and it will last long. But if PS4 is all DD when it would be the end of video games. It going to luck out people who don't used credit cards and it will hurt game stores.

Also you got to worry about the price of DD, nobody doesn't have a credit card and you know it is a pain in the ass to have one and you got to pay fee. You know you can download up to 5 PSP DD game on your PSP Go and that suck ass. The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again. I like to hold a copy and it will last long. But if PS4 is all DD when it would be the end of video games. It going to luck out people who don't used credit cards and it will hurt game stores.

AgentRaven77

Price isn't an issue. Most PC DD sites have at least one sale every week, and then there are bigger sales all the time. For example, Steam just had a ten day sale which saw some games up to 95% off, and some great deals on newer games (I personally bought about 30 games - including Just Cause 2 and Metro 2033 for about $80-ish).

Actually, here in Australia, it's usually cheaper to buy games online than it is to buy them retail. But you're right about credit cards - Paypal accounts might help that somewhat, but they'll need to find a more permanent solution.

Also, with most PC DD sites, you can buy the game once and then download it an unlimited number of times to any number of PCs (some don't even have copy protection), so that's not an issue either. Download limits suck, but people tend not to use the sites that have them.

But yes, it'll hurt games stores...which also means that it'll hurt their hold on the used game markets. This could be a good thing - it might mean more money going straight to the devs, and thus more/better games for us.

The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again.AgentRaven77

Also you got to worry about the price of DD, nobody doesn't have a credit card and you know it is a pain in the ass to have one and you got to pay fee. You know you can download up to 5 PSP DD game on your PSP Go and that suck ass. The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again. I like to hold a copy and it will last long. But if PS4 is all DD when it would be the end of video games. It going to luck out people who don't used credit cards and it will hurt game stores.AgentRaven77

I have no interest in digital distribution. I like to have a physical copy that I can do whatever the hell I like with (eg. sell it, lend it, stab it, burn it in fire, whatever). Also, there is absolutely no excuse to price games on Steam (or xbl) at full retail cost and sometimes even more. It's highway robbery, periodic sales notwithstanding. And I love the used game market and do not approve of any attempts to destroy it.

Finally, I don't really feel like I own the game if I don't have a physical copy. DD can go die for all I care.

[QUOTE="AgentRaven77"] (Blockbuster de-listed from the stock exchange earlier this week. Bye-bye Blockbuster.)ChiliDragon

So long as it doesn't eliminate the hardcopy option, we're fine.DarkCatalyst

It has it place and both a hardcopy and digital download have weakness and strength. It just do not see a reason that it would over take hardcopy.

[QUOTE="AgentRaven77"]

Also you got to worry about the price of DD, nobody doesn't have a credit card and you know it is a pain in the ass to have one and you got to pay fee. You know you can download up to 5 PSP DD game on your PSP Go and that suck ass. The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again. I like to hold a copy and it will last long. But if PS4 is all DD when it would be the end of video games. It going to luck out people who don't used credit cards and it will hurt game stores.

Planeforger

Price isn't an issue. Most PC DD sites have at least one sale every week, and then there are bigger sales all the time. For example, Steam just had a ten day sale which saw some games up to 95% off, and some great deals on newer games (I personally bought about 30 games - including Just Cause 2 and Metro 2033 for about $80-ish).

Actually, here in Australia, it's usually cheaper to buy games online than it is to buy them retail. But you're right about credit cards - Paypal accounts might help that somewhat, but they'll need to find a more permanent solution.

Also, with most PC DD sites, you can buy the game once and then download it an unlimited number of times to any number of PCs (some don't even have copy protection), so that's not an issue either. Download limits suck, but people tend not to use the sites that have them.

But yes, it'll hurt games stores...which also means that it'll hurt their hold on the used game markets. This could be a good thing - it might mean more money going straight to the devs, and thus more/better games for us.

Well Game store do good with used games and DD will end video game store. i like to walk int he store to buy the game at hand and if DD will killed Gamestop. i enjoy buying used games because it is cheap and more value. pluse I like to trade in games for credit and put more on new games. If video games go DD when that is the day i stop playing video games for good.

So long as it doesn't eliminate the hardcopy option, we're fine.DarkCatalyst

[QUOTE="ChiliDragon"](Blockbuster de-listed from the stock exchange earlier this week. Bye-bye Blockbuster.)sayyy-gaa

Well Game store do good with used games and DD will end video game store.AgentRaven77

[QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"]So long as it doesn't eliminate the hardcopy option, we're fine.Elian2530

.... Why? I dont think theres a single good reason for this logic.

Here is my opinion on this. Like another user already said, Digital Distribution has already taken over the PC market. Over the years I can see the PC Platform just being a DD service since providers like Direct2Drive and Steam have been very sucessful at making this form of marketing very popular. Consoles and Handhelds need a little more work on this kind of service. Pretty much every gaming platform has the availibility to use some form of DD. Though, this hasn't been the best move ever (take the PSP Go for an example), but in coming years I can see consoles get used to this kind of service. I read that one user said that not everyone has a Credit Card, which is pretty much essential towards getting games through this service. I was thinking that you can still buy games from stores, but the game will have a code in it which will let you Download the game to your consoles. I think this has already been done with Patapon 2 on the PSP Go already, but correct me if I'm wrong. For the PC Platform, I do not see every game using some form of DD. What I'm talking about is someone buying a hard copy of Modern Warfare 2 from Wal-Mart and having to activate it through Steam. Once again, I don't see that happening in the future, which is making me think that the PC Platform will be the only Gaming Platform to still use Hard Copies, even if the Gaming Industry has moved towards this DD service.

[QUOTE="Planeforger"]

Digital distribution has already taken over the PC market, and is becoming more important on consoles every year, mainly because it has been shown to actually work.

Sony completely failed with the PSPGo, but many other companies have been much more successful (like Valve with Steam), so don't let one example sway your opinion. Also, if anything, DD allows smaller developers to get their games to the masses, it allows bigger companies to take a few more risks, it makes classics more available at cheap prices, and it allows all sorts of new forms of gaming (like episodic series)...so I think it'll create a great boost to gaming. It certainly won't kill it, either way.

AgentRaven77

Also you got to worry about the price of DD, nobody doesn't have a credit card and you know it is a pain in the ass to have one and you got to pay fee. You know you can download up to 5 PSP DD game on your PSP Go and that suck ass. The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again. I like to hold a copy and it will last long. But if PS4 is all DD when it would be the end of video games. It going to luck out people who don't used credit cards and it will hurt game stores.

It's easy to get a debit card if you don't have good credit. If you have neither a debit nor credit card you can purchase cards at most games stores that will add funds to your PNS/Xbox Live account. These cards can be purchased at these stores with good hard cash. And with digital distribution game services, generally speaking, once your purchased something you can re-download (provided you're using the same account) an unlimited number of times.

[QUOTE="Elian2530"][QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"]So long as it doesn't eliminate the hardcopy option, we're fine.XaosII

.... Why? I dont think theres a single good reason for this logic.

Because playing a game on the PC is much more involved than playing it on the console.muthsera666

Except, its pretty much the same for PC or consoles in DD:

Find game on list. Purchase it. Download. Play.

Even if you are to make the argument that consoles are currently easier....they arent.

Go to store. Purchase game. Wait for shipping or return home. Play.

For the PC you need if your computer can handle the game.

For the PC you need if your computer can handle the game.

wiouds

How does that have any bearing that the PC's DD is acceptable but not the console's?

[QUOTE="muthsera666"]Because playing a game on the PC is much more involved than playing it on the console.XaosII

Except, its pretty much the same for PC or consoles in DD:

Find game on list. Purchase it. Download. Play.

Even if you are to make the argument that consoles are currently easier....they arent.

Go to store. Purchase game. Wait for shipping or return home. Play.

If you buy the game on hard copy for the PC, you have to install it. Choose the directory and the file path, choose the settings. Wait for various parts of the game to install before selecting other options. How is that the same as putting a disc in the tray and playing on the console? Steam, for example, removes the pain of installation. You click "Install", and the game downloads and automatically installs itself. All you have to do then is click "Play".muthsera666

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="muthsera666"]Because playing a game on the PC is much more involved than playing it on the console.muthsera666

Except, its pretty much the same for PC or consoles in DD:

Find game on list. Purchase it. Download. Play.

Even if you are to make the argument that consoles are currently easier....they arent.

Go to store. Purchase game. Wait for shipping or return home. Play.

I dont think were arguing the same point. DD makes it simpler for *both* PC and consoles. So why does that make DD not acceptable on consoles?

I dont think were arguing the same point. DD makes it simpler for *both* PC and consoles. So why does that make DD not acceptable on consoles?

XaosII

I still dont understand.

If you have a slow internet connection (or if your ISP has a cap), ChiliDragon

will affect both console and PC DD equally.

it may be easier to buy a disk around the corner and put it in your PS3 rather than download the game. ChiliDragon

The steps for DD on a console or a PC would be exactly the same and equally as easy. Find game, purchase, download. Its pretty much the same steps as as the store...

Installing to a console is already very simple, on a PC there's a lot more steps to installing and more that can be removed in order to simplify the process further.ChiliDragon

Im not sure you've used a digital distribution system. Its the same thing as downloading an XBLA game. find game, purchase, download then play. There is no installation or cd key input you need to do. Its download and play. Steam, Impulse, and Direct2Drive (all the services i've used) are all like that.

Im not sure you've used a digital distribution system. Its the same thing as downloading an XBLA game. find game, purchase, download then play. There is no installation or cd key input you need to do. Its download and play. Steam, Impulse, and Direct2Drive (all the services i've used) are all like that.

XaosII

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="XaosII"]

Except, its pretty much the same for PC or consoles in DD:

Find game on list. Purchase it. Download. Play.

Even if you are to make the argument that consoles are currently easier....they arent.

Go to store. Purchase game. Wait for shipping or return home. Play.

XaosII

I dont think were arguing the same point. DD makes it simpler for *both* PC and consoles. So why does that make DD not acceptable on consoles?

Digital distribution has already taken over the PC marketPlaneforger

True enough, and there's some great DD websites for PC users (Impulse, D2D, Steam, GamersGate).

And let's not forget about GOG, where you can buy some good vintage games.

Many years back, some says that E-mail will replace the normal. Now we still have normal mail and e-mail.

So I do not think Hardcopy oof games will go away. Weather Hardcopy and DD will coexist.

Steam is great. $40-$60 games for only $5-$10! But I also love hard copys. The problem with console gamers is that they would probably get stuck paying the full $60 for the games even though the are digital. And they can't do anything about it.

DD won't end anything other than physical distribution.Senor_Kami

[QUOTE="Senor_Kami"]DD won't end anything other than physical distribution.DarkCatalyst

[QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"][QUOTE="Senor_Kami"]DD won't end anything other than physical distribution.muthsera666

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"] That would end gaming for a lot of people.DarkCatalyst

So it still wouldn't end gaming for you, just console gaming. :P

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"]That would end gaming for a lot of people.DarkCatalyst

Well, it totally killed the PC gaming market... oh wait, no it didn't, it made it faster-growing and more profitable than it ever has been before. If anything, DD is only going to help gaming grow. Especially when it comes to the indie market. Singular people with really unique ideas are finally able to express them without having to invest $100K-1M of their own money.

[QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"][QUOTE="muthsera666"] Meh. That's what I said until I started using Steam. Now, I have a better understanding of DD, and I like many aspects of it.UpInFlames

So it still wouldn't end gaming for you, just console gaming. :P

[QUOTE="UpInFlames"]

[QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"] I've been using Steam for some time now and I'd still rather have hard copies of, at least, all my console games.DarkCatalyst

So it still wouldn't end gaming for you, just console gaming. :P

Bah, that'd just clear up all that precious time you need for Civ IV. :P

[QUOTE="DarkCatalyst"][QUOTE="UpInFlames"]

So it still wouldn't end gaming for you, just console gaming. :P

UpInFlames

Bah, that'd just clear up all that precious time you need for Civ IV. :P

On the subject of my main genres, though, I do have to admit I really respect what the PC is doing in terms of Racing.

The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again.AgentRaven77

[QUOTE="AgentRaven77"]The problem with DD is that you delete it and you have to re buy it again.tekken220