Xbox 720: Digitally Distributed?

It's fairly obvious right now that MS definitely thinks that digital distribution is the way of the future. Developers also seem to embrace this idea as it can potentially circumvent the need for a publisher (although marketing, etc costs probably would still warrant their presence) and because it effectively eliminates the used game business (which they don't see a dime from).

If MS doesn't go digital distribution on their next console they will almost assuredly be forced into using BluRay media unless steady state memory drops dramatically in price over the next couple of years. In the BD scenario they must pay royalties to the BDA, which Sony is a majority stake member of. Do they really want to pay their competition for every game they sell?

So we look at their current position. They keep consistently, but slowly, raising the XBLA download size limit and price limit. This almost comes across as a testing the waters, step by step, to see if/where consumers draw the line. It also inches us towards acceptance as we are much less likely to balk at an incremental change.

The most significant problem with this method is broadband penetration rate in most countries is probably too low to accomplish this. I can't help but wonder if they may develop a workaround for this utilizing current retail channels though. "Download the latest games to your Zune at the nearest Best Buy and transfer them to your 720, no need to wait!"

I think we can all agree that Sony will stick with their new disc format, but which way do you guys think MS will go?

Well, if it were true, then I know which console not to get next time already.

Seriously, I'm quite opposed to DD on closed platforms. With my PC, where I have full control of the hardware used and build quality, as well as being assured that no upgrade (or for consoles, buying the next generation) will make me unable to play, I'm willing to play ball a bit. I still prefer disc copies, but I'd consider a digital version for the right price. But never anything but small games for consoles.

Digital distribution has been the future for way too long. People always say it is on the brink of taking over, but nothing ever materializes.

Then again, Steam is really taking off. However, almost every game on Steam has a retail equivalent as well. Still, I bet there are quite a few people who just have tons of digital games saved up, and the Xbox Live Arcade has bigger, higher production games than I thought I would ever see.

At best, it will be an option, but it will probably be even less than that. Some games might let you download them, but I'm betting most console games will be staying retail only for at least another cycle of consoles.

I'm sure Microsoft cringes at the thought of implementing a BR drive in their next console, however DD continues to have it's shortcomings.

I would love a DD method on the next Xbox. I watch movies at home almost exclusively on DD through my cable box. If they were able to implement a large enough HDD, DD could be a real hit. No more waiting in line at midnight to get your copy of the game, no more scratched discs, and no more profits for huge retailers sounds good to me.

However, the size of games is increasing. Can the broadband infrastructure keep up and be a reliable method to transfer multiple gigabyte games to users around the world? I'm sure Microsoft is evaluating this, and I'd sure like to see them try.

Not a chance. In the US broadband penetration is too far behind, and retail chains have too much pull. No brick & mortar store is going to sell expensive consoles for little/no profit if there's no software to sell.Teufelhuhn

And if BB penetration is lagging behind in the US, you can imagine how things are for us peeps on the rest of the world. We need fatter tubes first, before thinking of DD as a feasible substitute to physical media (optical or otherwise).

[QUOTE="Teufelhuhn"]Not a chance. In the US broadband penetration is too far behind, and retail chains have too much pull. No brick & mortar store is going to sell expensive consoles for little/no profit if there's no software to sell.SteelAttack

And if BB penetration is lagging behind in the US, you can imagine how things are for us peeps on the rest of the world. We need fatter tubes first, before thinking of DD as a feasible substitute to physical media (optical or otherwise).

This is definitely an issue. I think DD is the way of the future, but I think it is a ways off...

On a seperate note, I don't think it is just MS that is blazing the digital distribution trail. When you've got services like Steam doing as well as they do, and when I can download Gran Turismo 5 Prologue or Warhawk on my PS3, and Nintendo has huge hits with the Virtual Console and WiiWare, I think it is safe to say that all of these content deliverers are trying to nudge us towards downloading more and going out shopping less. I think it is just as likely to see Nintendo or Sony push digital distribution as heavily with their next consoles. I like having a huge choice of games that I can start up straight off of the hard drive, and as long as the big three don't get evil with their DRM, I am all for digital distribution.

On a seperate note, I don't think it is just MS that is blazing the digital distribution trail. When you've got services like Steam doing as well as they do, and when I can download Gran Turismo 5 Prologue or Warhawk on my PS3, and Nintendo has huge hits with the Virtual Console and WiiWare, I think it is safe to say that all of these content deliverers are trying to nudge us towards downloading more and going out shopping less. I think it is just as likely to see Nintendo or Sony push digital distribution as heavily with their next consoles. I like having a huge choice of games that I can start up straight off of the hard drive, and as long as the big three don't get evil with their DRM, I am all for digital distribution.

rragnaar

Oh, definitely. That's some interesting stuff you bring to the table. I think each one of the big three have been taking their first wobbly steps towards that bright DD future, and in a way, they've all succeeded, to a degree.