download games will never surpass hard copies

reason because i rather own the hard copy and let it sit on my shelf than as a mere 'file' on a computer.

No one said they are mutually exclusive.

Thats exactly why buying a physical copy of Half-life 2 or Ornage Box gives you the ability to download it at any time or use disks to install when you want.

Never?

You're kidding yourself if it will never happen.

It'll be a long time. Far longer than people like Bill Gates or Phil Harrison would have you believe.

Fifty years from now, maybe, a hundred? Probably.

Hard media will be gone one day, except for perhaps backups or for security purposes.

I would've agreed a few years ago but Steam has become such a great service there's nothing to complain about. Just log in, download, and play from any computer anywhere. Cross game chat menu sealed the deal.

Of course I still prefer hard copies for console games because the download services and HDD sizes are so pathetic.

You might want to think about that and look how the music industry has had to adapt to digital downloads.

It's only a matter of time.

You might want to think about that and look how the music industry has had to adapt to digital downloads.

It's only a matter of time.

heretrix

Agreed

It will happen.

I have both and they both have their pros and cons.

I have enjoyed my steam account so far because I get to try new games and that the program is always up to date. This, of course, comes at the expense of hard drive space (but these days you can get 500GB for under $100), and speed. The disadvantage of a hard copy is that it can get scratched up. For me, the game is about the play and not so much about the fancy packaging.

The main reason why download games will never surpass hard copies is because of the whole DRM thing. Half of my Xbox Live downloaded content was rendered useless when I got the Red Ring of Death last year.

If we can fix the whole "you payed for it but you can't use it" thing, I would embrace downloaded content. But I don't think that will ever happen.

Never?

You're kidding yourself if it will never happen.

It'll be a long time. Far longer than people like Bill Gates or Phil Harrison would have you believe.

Fifty years from now, maybe, a hundred? Probably.

Hard media will be gone one day, except for perhaps backups or for security purposes.

Thompsonwhore

I just bought a 1 terabyte HD for 189 bucks (US)..In my area you can get a 20 MB internet connection for 39 bucks a month (FIOS). Steam is incredibly popular and direct to disk downloads have been available for years. Digital downloads are already very firmly in place in videogame culture..The future is already here for a lot of people.

[QUOTE="Thompsonwhore"]

Never?

You're kidding yourself if it will never happen.

It'll be a long time. Far longer than people like Bill Gates or Phil Harrison would have you believe.

Fifty years from now, maybe, a hundred? Probably.

Hard media will be gone one day, except for perhaps backups or for security purposes.

heretrix

I just bought a 1 terabyte HD for 189 bucks (US)..In my area you can get a 20 MB internet connection for 39 bucks a month (FIOS). Steam is incredibly popular and direct to disk downloads have been available for years. Digital downloads are already very firmly in place in videogame culture..The future is already here for a lot of people.

You're forgetting that it's a small minority that will quickly adopt these high-speed internet connections and large harddrives.

For your average person, the transition from hard media to full software will be a long process.

Special Edition copies is why physical copies >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> payed torrentsVaan7

And don't forget that you can trade in hard-copies with ease, you can't trade in a digital download if you don't like it, or after you've completed it don't want to play it anymore.

You might want to think about that and look how the music industry has had to adapt to digital downloads.

It's only a matter of time.

heretrix

i get what you mean, but compare a 5mb mp3 to a game that could fill a dvd9 or a bluray

[QUOTE="heretrix"][QUOTE="Thompsonwhore"]

Never?

You're kidding yourself if it will never happen.

It'll be a long time. Far longer than people like Bill Gates or Phil Harrison would have you believe.

Fifty years from now, maybe, a hundred? Probably.

Hard media will be gone one day, except for perhaps backups or for security purposes.

Thompsonwhore

I just bought a 1 terabyte HD for 189 bucks (US)..In my area you can get a 20 MB internet connection for 39 bucks a month (FIOS). Steam is incredibly popular and direct to disk downloads have been available for years. Digital downloads are already very firmly in place in videogame culture..The future is already here for a lot of people.

You're forgetting that it's a small minority that will quickly adopt these high-speed internet connections and large harddrives.

For your average person, the transition from hard media to full software will be a long process.

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

You might want to think about that and look how the music industry has had to adapt to digital downloads.

It's only a matter of time.

Arjdagr8

i get what you mean, but compare a 5mb mp3 to a game that could fill a dvd9 or a bluray

Exactly. With the lowest broadband around which is 256k I think, that's only like 1 minutes max. A 2gb game would take like 7 hours....

I personally prefer downloaded games.

I would much rather click a button and go play basketball while my game downloads than drive to best buy.

The one problem is the price, stores have sales. For example, Guild Wars EOTN is $17 at circuit city, $10 at target, and $40 on the arena net online store. Stores are good for the bargains.

Steam >>>>>

[QUOTE="Arjdagr8"][QUOTE="heretrix"]

You might want to think about that and look how the music industry has had to adapt to digital downloads.

It's only a matter of time.

bobbetybob

i get what you mean, but compare a 5mb mp3 to a game that could fill a dvd9 or a bluray

Exactly. With the lowest broadband around which is 256k I think, that's only like 1 minutes max. A 2gb game would take like 7 hours....

yeah and thats when your lucky. if you have a broadband like that chances are it will take you far longer. also i just find hard copies far more practical.

Download copies suck. If I want to reformat my computer, I will have to buy it all over again. Totally worthless and a waste of space.Ilived

You sir couldnt be more wrong.. I had to reformat a month ago and all my games from steam where there for download free of charge. So maybe do some research first.

[QUOTE="Ilived"]Download copies suck. If I want to reformat my computer, I will have to buy it all over again. Totally worthless and a waste of space.kozzy1234

You sir couldnt be more wrong.. I had to reformat a month ago and all my games from steam where there for download free of charge. So maybe do some research first.

Eh I was talking about that place hosted by IGN where it lets you buy games. I don't care about steam. And don't call me sir, buddy.

[QUOTE="Thompsonwhore"][QUOTE="heretrix"][QUOTE="Thompsonwhore"]

Never?

You're kidding yourself if it will never happen.

It'll be a long time. Far longer than people like Bill Gates or Phil Harrison would have you believe.

Fifty years from now, maybe, a hundred? Probably.

Hard media will be gone one day, except for perhaps backups or for security purposes.

heretrix

I just bought a 1 terabyte HD for 189 bucks (US)..In my area you can get a 20 MB internet connection for 39 bucks a month (FIOS). Steam is incredibly popular and direct to disk downloads have been available for years. Digital downloads are already very firmly in place in videogame culture..The future is already here for a lot of people.

You're forgetting that it's a small minority that will quickly adopt these high-speed internet connections and large harddrives.

For your average person, the transition from hard media to full software will be a long process.

I'm quite aware of where they get them from. And sure, cable is enough to download a game in a day, if there is a fast enough upload. But most households don't even have cable.

And we're talking about HD movies, too. We're talking about all media when it comes to this.

We're talking about everyone who at the moment buys disk media all switching to downloads.

And harddrive space is going to be another problem when talking about HD movies, or all your games being stored.

Not only is it going to require faster connections, it's going to require new storage technology to be available.

Like I said, a long process.

Download copies suck. If I want to reformat my computer, I will have to buy it all over again. Totally worthless and a waste of space.Ilived