PC Games Going All Digital in 2011

Old news probably but i wanna know what ppl think about this if its true. An international PC game publisher claims that retail stores are pushing the industry into going digital.

I still prefer to buy something I can actually put my hands on...

I'm weird. I prefer hard copies.

I doubt that's true though, as there are some people still without good (or any) internet. Then again, you do need to activate things online more often than not. Time will tell, but I prefer hard copies.

Old new probably but i wanna know what ppl think about this if its true. An international PC game publisher claims that retail stores are pushing the industry into going digital.

mattuk69

I'm weird. I prefer hard copies.

I doubt that's true though, as there are some people still without good (or any) internet. Then again, you do need to activate things online more often than not. Time will tell, but I prefer hard copies.

IndianaPwns39

I'm weird. I prefer hard copies.

I doubt that's true though, as there are some people still without good (or any) internet. Then again, you do need to activate things online more often than not. Time will tell, but I prefer hard copies.

IndianaPwns39

Excellent point. Data caps in many parts of the world are still incredibly restrictive. In NZ, I end up paying $50 for 10GB of Broadband (that includes phone and tv though). 10GB isn't enough to download the games I end up purchasing...

im okay with this

only blizzard do good boxes/mauals anyway

Bad for me.

I hate steam because you can't play games without logging in.Its as bad as the ubisoft drm.NO internet=no play,even though you purchased the game legally.

Bad for me.

I hate steam because you can't play games without logging in.Its as bad as the ubisoft drm.NO internet=no play,even though you purchased the game legally.

call_of_duty_10

Offline mode.

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"]

Bad for me.

I hate steam because you can't play games without logging in.Its as bad as the ubisoft drm.NO internet=no play,even though you purchased the game legally.

Vesica_Prime

Offline mode.

[QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"]

Bad for me.

I hate steam because you can't play games without logging in.Its as bad as the ubisoft drm.NO internet=no play,even though you purchased the game legally.

call_of_duty_10

Offline mode.

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

I'm weird. I prefer hard copies.

I doubt that's true though, as there are some people still without good (or any) internet. Then again, you do need to activate things online more often than not. Time will tell, but I prefer hard copies.

Urworstnhtmare

Excellent point. Data caps in many parts of the world are still incredibly restrictive. In NZ, I end up paying $50 for 10GB of Broadband (that includes phone and tv though). 10GB isn't enough to download the games I end up purchasing...

How does that work? 10GB as a monthly fee or every 10 you use you spend another $50? I'm just curious. Pardon my ignorance but I have unlimited broadband. I'm lucky in that sort of thing but I think retailers need to realize that not everyone has that luxury. Perhaps Starcraft 2 sold so well because there are hard copies laying everywhere :P

[QUOTE="Urworstnhtmare"]

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

I'm weird. I prefer hard copies.

I doubt that's true though, as there are some people still without good (or any) internet. Then again, you do need to activate things online more often than not. Time will tell, but I prefer hard copies.

IndianaPwns39

Excellent point. Data caps in many parts of the world are still incredibly restrictive. In NZ, I end up paying $50 for 10GB of Broadband (that includes phone and tv though). 10GB isn't enough to download the games I end up purchasing...

How does that work? 10GB as a monthly fee or every 10 you use you spend another $50? I'm just curious. Pardon my ignorance but I have unlimited broadband. I'm lucky in that sort of thing but I think retailers need to realize that not everyone has that luxury. Perhaps Starcraft 2 sold so well because there are hard copies laying everywhere :P

only time i have bought digital downloads is a couple $5 xbox live arcade games. If im spending over $5 i better have something physical i can hold onto.

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"][QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

Offline mode.

DragonfireXZ95

I'm weird. I prefer hard copies.

I doubt that's true though, as there are some people still without good (or any) internet. Then again, you do need to activate things online more often than not. Time will tell, but I prefer hard copies.

IndianaPwns39

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] Which requires you to sign in online....call_of_duty_10

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] Which requires you to sign in online....call_of_duty_10

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

[QUOTE="Urworstnhtmare"]

Excellent point. Data caps in many parts of the world are still incredibly restrictive. In NZ, I end up paying $50 for 10GB of Broadband (that includes phone and tv though). 10GB isn't enough to download the games I end up purchasing...

soulitane

How does that work? 10GB as a monthly fee or every 10 you use you spend another $50? I'm just curious. Pardon my ignorance but I have unlimited broadband. I'm lucky in that sort of thing but I think retailers need to realize that not everyone has that luxury. Perhaps Starcraft 2 sold so well because there are hard copies laying everywhere :P

This. However its like $3 for 1GB of addition usage. Oh and my speeds are around 6Mbps DL/2Mbps UL. And this is considered good internet in NZ.

It may be feesable in America, but certinly not here...

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"]

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] Originally yes, it requires you to create a Steam account and log in the first time. After that, you never have to sign in again unless you are verifying a cd key or purchasing another game. You can play all the games you want however as long as you have it on your Steam account. Obviously you have access to the internet, else you wouldn't be on here. I'd say you don't know anything about Steam or have never tried it.Captain__Tripps

[QUOTE="Captain__Tripps"][QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] I own the orange box. Whenever I try to play HL2,it asks me to sign in. About the internet,yes,I do,but not on my gaming PC. I activate my games with a 56k modem.It works fine for that,but it is a pain in the *** to sign into my steam account.

call_of_duty_10

Actually, whenever my internet is out Steam automatically launches in offline mode, and I continue to have access to all my games.

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"][QUOTE="Captain__Tripps"] You need to put steam into offline mode, once its in that mode itll never ask you to login. At least it works that way for me with the few steam games I have...hypoty

Actually, whenever my internet is out Steam automatically launches in offline mode, and I continue to have access to all my games.

Recent report said less than 20% of PC games are sold at retail, so this isn't too far from the truth. I'm fine doing that for PC games, but I prefer my console games in hard copy given the nature of the console lifecycle. When it comes to DD, I prefer D2D over Steam. Easy to back up installs to DVD, and I'd rather not deal with Steam's imposing client. Call me crazy.

When I try to start HL2 without internet,It tells me that it cannot connect to steam. I click on "Start in offline mode" and it says the same thing again. call_of_duty_10

That's interesting... Just worked on mine.

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"][QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

Offline mode.

DragonfireXZ95

I originally signed up for steam when i bought HL2, then a couple years later wanted to play it again but couldnt remember my account info... i didnt even have a clue what email i signed up with. In order to get the info i was gonna have to call some customer service and i think send them pictures or something ridiculous just to play a game i owned. So i just threw the game in the garbage and have never used steam since.

Outside of blizzard games i probably wont buy any games with horse**** DRM. I dont like jumping through hoops to play games i paid for... i would much rather play with lesser graphics on a console. Its not like DRM even stops piracy, its just there to annoy the crap out of paying customers imo.

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] When I try to start HL2 without internet,It tells me that it cannot connect to steam. I click on "Start in offline mode" and it says the same thing again. DragonfireXZ95

That's interesting... Just worked on mine.

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] Which requires you to sign in online....markinthedark

I originally signed up for steam when i bought HL2, then a couple years later wanted to play it again but couldnt remember my account info... i didnt even have a clue what email i signed up with. In order to get the info i was gonna have to call some customer service and i think send them pictures or something ridiculous just to play a game i owned. So i just threw the game in the garbage and have never used steam since.

Outside of blizzard games i probably wont buy any games with horse**** DRM. I dont like jumping through hoops to play games i paid for... i would much rather play with lesser graphics on a console. Its not like DRM even stops piracy, its just there to annoy the crap out of paying customers imo.

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"]

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] When I try to start HL2 without internet,It tells me that it cannot connect to steam. I click on "Start in offline mode" and it says the same thing again. call_of_duty_10

That's interesting... Just worked on mine.

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

I'm weird. I prefer hard copies.

I doubt that's true though, as there are some people still without good (or any) internet. Then again, you do need to activate things online more often than not. Time will tell, but I prefer hard copies.

mattuk69

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"]

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"]

That's interesting... Just worked on mine.

DragonfireXZ95

I have yet to find a digital delivery platform that completely satisfies me.

Steams Support, especially when it comes to hijacked accounts, and billing issues, leaves a LOT to be desired.

D2D is fairly decent, and the DL times are ok, especially on my connection.

Ive bounced between the both of them over the years...

But I have to admit, I have mostly digital copies of my stuff. Ive got like 48 games on steam... >.>

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"]

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] Guess its just me then. Oh well,I guess no more gaming for me until I grow up and buy my own house.

call_of_duty_10

I have yet to find a digital delivery platform that completely satisfies me.

Steams Support, especially when it comes to hijacked accounts, and billing issues, leaves a LOT to be desired.

D2D is fairly decent, and the DL times are ok, especially on my connection.

Ive bounced between the both of them over the years...

But I have to admit, I have mostly digital copies of my stuff. Ive got like 48 games on steam... >.>

derian_n_jade

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"]

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] You might have to update your game through online mode. Possibly they didn't add in this feature until later. A lot of has changed from the Steam of 2004.

DragonfireXZ95

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"] I thought steam required you to completely update a game before playing?

call_of_duty_10

[QUOTE="derian_n_jade"]

I have yet to find a digital delivery platform that completely satisfies me.

Steams Support, especially when it comes to hijacked accounts, and billing issues, leaves a LOT to be desired.

D2D is fairly decent, and the DL times are ok, especially on my connection.

Ive bounced between the both of them over the years...

But I have to admit, I have mostly digital copies of my stuff. Ive got like 48 games on steam... >.>

DragonfireXZ95

It took them a week to get me my account back. Again, if it had gotten VAC banned, it would have been permanent. And in reguards to billing issues, there is a post floating around here from today or yesterday, in which a guy got hit 5 times for the same game. He kept getting an error because the CC system has issues sometimes.

I just think they have some issues they need to address, Ill stick with D2D. By the by, ive got like 48 games/mods on my steam account.

[QUOTE="call_of_duty_10"][QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] If you never go online, then why would it be required to update a game before playing? However, if you sign onto Steam in online mode and don't update HL2 in the process, then of course you wouldn't be able to play it offline either, because Steam recognizes an internet connection was available for update.DragonfireXZ95

[QUOTE="markinthedark"]

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] Originally yes, it requires you to create a Steam account and log in the first time. After that, you never have to sign in again unless you are verifying a cd key or purchasing another game. You can play all the games you want however as long as you have it on your Steam account. Obviously you have access to the internet, else you wouldn't be on here. I'd say you don't know anything about Steam or have never tried it.DragonfireXZ95

I originally signed up for steam when i bought HL2, then a couple years later wanted to play it again but couldnt remember my account info... i didnt even have a clue what email i signed up with. In order to get the info i was gonna have to call some customer service and i think send them pictures or something ridiculous just to play a game i owned. So i just threw the game in the garbage and have never used steam since.

Outside of blizzard games i probably wont buy any games with horse**** DRM. I dont like jumping through hoops to play games i paid for... i would much rather play with lesser graphics on a console. Its not like DRM even stops piracy, its just there to annoy the crap out of paying customers imo.

when im holding a $50 game i cant play... i rage. I didnt realize i had to remember the info i put in 2 years ago to play a game i purchased.... frankly i shouldnt have to. I dont mind driving to a store to buy a game... i drive to the store all the time to buy items. However if i needed to remember login information to sit in my computer chair, or eat my groceries... i would be PO'd. The one time hassle of driving to a store is nothing compared to the hassle of signing in everytime you want to use something you paid for.

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="markinthedark"]

I originally signed up for steam when i bought HL2, then a couple years later wanted to play it again but couldnt remember my account info... i didnt even have a clue what email i signed up with. In order to get the info i was gonna have to call some customer service and i think send them pictures or something ridiculous just to play a game i owned. So i just threw the game in the garbage and have never used steam since.

Outside of blizzard games i probably wont buy any games with horse**** DRM. I dont like jumping through hoops to play games i paid for... i would much rather play with lesser graphics on a console. Its not like DRM even stops piracy, its just there to annoy the crap out of paying customers imo.

markinthedark

when im holding a $50 game i cant play... i rage. I didnt realize i had to remember the info i put in 2 years ago to play a game i purchased.... frankly i shouldnt have to. I dont mind driving to a store to buy a game... i drive to the store all the time to buy items. However if i needed to remember login information to sit in my computer chair, or eat my groceries... i would be PO'd. The one time hassle of driving to a store is nothing compared to the hassle of signing in everytime you want to use something you paid for.

Logging in is a necessary security measure. Once you've entered your information you can save it to that PC so it automatically logs you in whenever you start your computer.

Then I am happy I am a console gamer. I like having a disc, I like having a physical copy of the game I bought. MoonMarvel

One thing the big three will have to improve upon in the future is their backwards compatibility. There's no point having a large collection of games when you can't play most of the damn things. That's one of the benefits of PC gaming I value above all else.

[QUOTE="markinthedark"]

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] Who's fault is that for not remembering their email? Steam isn't there to remember your email for you. Besides, it's less work than going out to a store, so I don't see what you're whining about.hypoty

when im holding a $50 game i cant play... i rage. I didnt realize i had to remember the info i put in 2 years ago to play a game i purchased.... frankly i shouldnt have to. I dont mind driving to a store to buy a game... i drive to the store all the time to buy items. However if i needed to remember login information to sit in my computer chair, or eat my groceries... i would be PO'd. The one time hassle of driving to a store is nothing compared to the hassle of signing in everytime you want to use something you paid for.

Logging in is a necessary security measure. Once you've entered your information you can save it to that PC so it automatically logs you in whenever you start your computer.

Is it necessary? which steam games cant be illegally downloaded and played? its my understanding outside of multiplayer DRM hasnt really stopped any pirates.

and CD keys seemed fine back in the day... they more or less made it so you had to buy games you wanted to play online. Companies could just ban illegal keys... and i was perfectly fine with CD keys.

I guess steam isnt too bad if all games use it... but it seems like its far from a unified service for all games and you still need to remember a multitude of passwords if you want to play all your games.