Blizzard: Retail Offers Things Digital Simply Can't

[Ayjona]

I often get the feeling that the Escapist so fervently defends the persistence of physical copies of game simply because the writers and editors themselves are fond of retail games, not because of any in-depth analyses of the longevity of physical game sales (because such analyses almost inevitably points towards the demise of physical games sales as a common method of delivering game content).

Mm? We like both. We always have. I don't want to see retail go away entirely, but my steam list would definitely disagree with the assumption that I don't like digital.

A good thing I never made that assumption I never denied you like digital sales. I didn't even imply so in my post, much less write it clearly What I DID say, is that you defend the longevity and persistence of physical game sales because you are so fond of the concept.

EDIT: I also wrote that this is a feeling I get, not the result of an in-depth study, or a conclusive opinion.

EDIT 2: If this is indeed the case, it might not even be a bad thing. It is not good journalism, but good journalism rarely make for good game coverage. The world of gaming journalism is partly based on the idea of breaking journalistic principles to provide a more personalized experience, and the kind of bias I hint at above, is certainly an instance where the personal likes and dislikes of the Escapism staff might actually make for more interesting articles.

 

[Catalyst6]

Nothing beats that new game smell.

You can't smell a download. I think.

If you can then I highly advise that you shut down your system, because your modem just caught fire.

OT: It's funny, the collector's edition is a curious thing full of meaningless trinkets of so much fun. Heck, I still cherish the pad of notepaper that I got with my copy of Starcraft II, and that wasn't even the collector's edition!

Still, we'll see how many people will put up with the hassle of retail (Because it *is* a hassle) simply for the material goodies.

 

[felixader]

Pah. In Teh Future you will get the Credits AND the Data to materialise the Collectors Edition Swag in your Replicator with your Download Data. X-P

 

[Quartermaine]

1.) Advertise on website that you are going to sell collectors edition of new game/expansion.
2.) Hardcore collectors purchase physical copies + knickknacks.
3.) ???
4.) Profit!

 

[VanityGirl]

Well not suprised with their collectors edititons.

^This

How would a digital collectors edition work? Wait, I'll answer it, I don't think it could.
Sure a digital collectors edition could offer some free online swag, like a Lil' Deathwing.

But, I LOVE swag and I need to be able to show people my Batman:Arkham Asylum collection's edition proudly.

 

[Digikid]

As much as I despise Blizzard and its horrible games.....he has a point.

 

[Digikid]

sry....double post because of WLAN hiccup.

 

[mistwolf]

It's funny, because I was desperately wishing for a 'plus' edition on the digital download. Not a dull-on CE, but just the base game and the pet. I don't actually care about the art books or the soundtrack CD. Yes, the books are freaking gorgeous, and yes, the CD sounds amazing. But I am not an art book collector and I don't listen to much instrumental music. The art book is about 80% of the added cost in the CE.

That said, I am a fanatical non-combat pet collector, so there was never a real option for me. I just wish I could get my hands on the original and BC CE's without having to donate a kidney to pay for them. ^.^

 

[LastCelt1989]

One thing I got to ask, why is everyone so convinced that digital is cheaper? I dont download my games so maybe I'm looking in the wrong places but going purley for consoles (i realise I might be off the mark but people say digital is the future for ALL games), since when is it cheaper? Xbox originals and games on demand on Xbox live will never be cheaper than a second hand copy you can pick up from a store. Second, more convienient? Clogging up my internet connection for ages before taking up space on my console thereby limiting my space and if I want a serious game collection I'm eventually going to have to get a new hard drive.

How is this more convienient than just popping into a video game store when your out on your travels? Assuming most people here are the type of gamer that still sees daylight occasionaly (though we do have some self confessed WOW players ;-)) is it really that hard to;
1. OOh thats going cheap - £10 on the counter=sold
2. Go home.
3.Put in disc and play.

 

[Crazie_Guy]

edit: double

 

[Crazie_Guy]

So I don't get an extra shiny box to take up space and I don't get to camp outside a store. Okay then.


To me this brings to mind a guy from ye olde ice company around the time refrigeration was invented, harping that sure, you could freeze your own ice, but you'd miss out on chatting with your friendly neighborhood ice delivery man. The 'advantages' of physical retail are so insignificant compared to what digital distribution can do its not even funny.

One thing I got to ask, why is everyone so convinced that digital is cheaper? I dont download my games so maybe I'm looking in the wrong places but going purley for consoles (i realise I might be off the mark but people say digital is the future for ALL games), since when is it cheaper? Xbox originals and games on demand on Xbox live will never be cheaper than a second hand copy you can pick up from a store. Second, more convienient? Clogging up my internet connection for ages before taking up space on my console thereby limiting my space and if I want a serious game collection I'm eventually going to have to get a new hard drive.

How is this more convienient than just popping into a video game store when your out on your travels? Assuming most people here are the type of gamer that still sees daylight occasionaly (though we do have some self confessed WOW players ;-)) is it really that hard to;
1. OOh thats going cheap - £10 on the counter=sold
2. Go home.
3.Put in disc and play.

It probably isn't this way for console markets yet, but digital distribution on PC is considered cheaper probably because Steam and Impulse, and the various other platforms, are RELENTLESS about having sale after sale after sale, offering games often 50% off or better. Sure, games are full price if you pay for them on a normal day, but if you buy like that on Steam you aren't doing it right.

And as for convenience, it definitely wins. You can sit down, buy a game, and be playing it 10 minutes later without ever going anywhere. More importantly though, the game itself is... digital! You pick it out of your list of games and you play it. No disc swapping, no organizing boxes, no bits of plastic taking up space, getting lost... nothing. Select it and play. Get bored, select another one, play that instead. So easy.

And yes, the wonders of digital distribution are indeed mostly lost on you at the moment unless you are a PC gamer.