Question of the Day, July 5, 2010

[Timbydude]

It's annoying to go out and buy a game; if I want it now, I want it now.

Plus, hard copies get lost, become sold out, etc. Digital distribution is just a lot easier. I find myself getting annoyed to no end when a PC game I want isn't on Steam, GOG, or Direct2Drive.

 

[unoleian]

Why does this have to be an either/or? I use both frequently! Depends on the game.
But if I have to choose one.....then, I suppose I prefer discs for full retail releases.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Give me a hard copy anyday. A guarantee that you'll have a game even if your console/PC dies is worth a lot in my books.

 

[Pielikey]

CDs can collect scratches if you're not careful. Unfortunately I...normally am but my brother is not.

I love both but usually get them off steam because I don't have to leave the house.
EDIT: and steam ALWAYS has good sales.

 

[slowpoke999]

inb4 Souplex denoucing DD as evil and whatnot.

I prefer Digital Distribution, and that's saying something when I have 25g download caps and shitty speeds. In the future when:
[ul]
[li]Internet's better for everyone[/li]
[li]Online money transaction is much more efficient[/li]
[li]What you 'own' regarding the digital copy is improved[/li]
[/ul]

Digital Distribution will be the popular choice by far, and buying hard copies would be akin to sending mail instead of e-mail, inneficient but more personal/whatever so you buy your favourite game hardcopy because you like the manual/box art/collectors edition?

Besides has no-one mentioned that if you want a game on its release day with DD, it has 0% chance of being sold out?

 

[cainx10a]

Digital Distribution mainly because of Steam and its ability to see quality products and extremely low prices, and also because of how quick I can get access to the product (Eg. ARMA 2 and ARMA 2: OA for which I can't find a hard copy, even in popular game stops like gamestop )

 

[Angerwing]

Shopping mall is 15 minutes away. I make that commute daily, as I work there. I have a car.

I live in Australia, so downloading a game like Portal takes me hours.

Hmmm. That's a tough decision.

 

[Captain Ninja]

i said download only because its so much cheaper here in Australia, otherwise i would prefer a hard copy.

 

[TraumaHound]

Hard-copies. I prefer to have something tangible for my money like boxes & docs. DLC-games like those available on XBL would be great for me if they had a disc-buy option, maybe pay a couple extra bucks for the disc itself on top of whatever the game(s) cost. Definitely some I'd like to play but I'm downloading them.

 

[deth2munkies]

Lacks both "Don't care as long as it works" and "Depends on the download service". Seriously, though, Steam and Battle.net are the only 2 I trust as far as download services go.

 

[Mephisteus]

I prefer hard copy, I actually get steam games when they've got a discount going on. Saves sooo much money

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Where is the I don't care option?

 

[JediMB]

I think the best option is retail copies that can also be registered with Steam. That way I can use the disc if a fast Internet connection isn't available, but I can also install it when I don't have the disc around.

 

[Patton662]

Hard copies, but only because they are cheaper most of the time. I don't mind downloading stuff from steam though, it's all about the cost.

 

[CakeDragon]

Most of the time I'll go for a hard copy - it's good being able to have your own copy of a game, plus it makes my wall of games look more impressive.
Also if you don't like it you can trade it in for moneys. Can't do that with downloads.

 

[-Torchedini-]

I don't have an immediate preference, I download games from Steam and I buy physical copies from Play.com, so it always comes down on the cheapest of the two.

That's what I do. With the summer sale on steam I bought a shitload on steam. But if its cheaper or doesn't make a difference I get a hard copy.

 

[cybran]

I buy everything through steam it' amazingly cheap

 

[uppitycracker]

Always have, and always will prefer digital downloads. I love the convenience of being able to put them on any machine I want, without having to dig out a disc from my boxes. Steam makes it insanely convenient for me, as I don't even need to keep a handle on the CD keys.

 

[Marmooset]

Question of the Day, July 5, 2010



One would think that most gamers would prefer to get their games from direct download - it's convenient and quick. However, recent research shows that 64 percent of gamers still prefer to buy a game in-store. Which do you prefer?

Permalink

Now that the summer sale's over, store.