Do u buy games from Steam or Retail Copy

title say it all, would u rather have a full Retail Copy of ur games with box and manual or the usual cheaper version from steam? i like the fact steam organize ur games in 1 folder, u can back em all up in case of future problems and also auto updates everything, record ur hours played, etc... but i always feel im missing something since u dont get the hard copy and case :|

Both I buy...

Though id say its about 60% Digital Downloads and 40% store bought with manual,etc..

i buy either depending on the prices. my local retail store sells certain games at crazy prices! thinking all gamers are dumb and easy to cheat.

I don't like the fact that if Steam dies, all your Steam games are gone with it (or at least that is what I have come to assume).
However, I like that it is legally CD/DVD-free. The only Steam games I have are Portal, MW2 and Plants vs Zombies.

I still prefer retail due to box/manual/physical DVD but I dislike having to have the DVD whirring around in my drive just to make sure I have it in there.

The only Digital distribution I am comfortable with is GOG.com, because they are all DRM-free.

I basically am 100% Steam.

However, I'm getting annoyed at how many times I've got an old game, and it doesn't quite work right with Steam/Windows 7.......

Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast would crash if there was like 5 guys on screen........ (my computer is a thousand times what is required for that game)

Deus Ex, and Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 have bad discoloration

Freedom Force will freeze up randomly, and I can no longer play it

I'm alright with paying for it, and giving the devs some money, but I gotta go through other means to play these games sometimes, and it's a hassle to say the least.

I prefer retail (installs faster, i like having the box)but there are down sides, like not being able to return it (well you cant return anything on steam either) but if i cant find it in stores then I'll get it on steam

I always buy from Steam, unless i have to buy retail or if there's a deal too good to pass up on Direct 2 Drive! :P

Steam now.

I have over 80 games on my list now lol

Both, I just get it from the cheapest place

Well I usually go for what's cheaper, but I also prefer to have my games on steam.

Both, but recently I've been avoiding boxed copies because of the more recent flimsy casings.

I love having the physical copy of a game.

I usually only buy from Steam if it's a really good deal.

Retail copy. I want a hard copy.

I don't buy games.

I don't like the fact that if Steam dies, all your Steam games are gone with it (or at least that is what I have come to assume).
However, I like that it is legally CD/DVD-free. The only Steam games I have are Portal, MW2 and Plants vs Zombies.

I still prefer retail due to box/manual/physical DVD but I dislike having to have the DVD whirring around in my drive just to make sure I have it in there.

The only Digital distribution I am comfortable with is GOG.com, because they are all DRM-free.

Darek_Khort

Impulse is also DRM free and even thought they have an external program like steam you only have to use it to download your game and for updates that is imo the best solution since you have a platform that you have your games in one place while at the same time it doesn't force you to use it when you wanna play a game

i buy from steam now because it is so much cheaper than retail in australia

Most of my games are bought through steam, but from time to time the localretailers has some really really great offers (bought FO3 GOTY for 20 bucks not long ago).

The other exception from some halfway insane deal would be collectors editions, a few of those I find really need, tose ofcourse are retail copys for me :3

Retail copy because I don't have a credit card of my own yet.

I buy from Green man gaming, because that way I can trade them in :)

I buy from Steam 95% of the time. 5% is retail, but that's when I see a game I want that is at a low price.

Retail probably 95% of the time due to the fact its much cheaper than what Steam sells games for. Its still cheaper to buy SupCom 2 retail than it is for the weekend deal this week.

For digital only games i have no preference over any of the DD services. Whichever has the game cheaper is what i'll buy from.

Mostly Steam simple as Im too impatient to go to a store or wait for a game to be shipped to me.

I buy digital but not from Steam. They're too instrusive and restrictive. I much prefer D2D or Gamersgate.

As much as I hate to admit it, I was a huge complainer about Steam when it was announced, I buy the majority of my games off of steam. The instant download, all-in-one app, and great sales are what finally brought me over. The last retail game I purchased at a B&M was Dragon Age.

Both.

I prefer having a physical copy of a game, but I generally just go for whichever's cheapest. Or I'll just download off Steam if I'm feeling too lazy to go shopping (or too impatient to wait for delivery).

I have always liked buying retail in the past, but recently the boxed games come with almost nothing. They usually come with a case, the game and a piece of paper with an advertisement and basic controls. It has become pretty pointless to buy retail now.

Steam/Digital downloads are the way to go. Retail copies are an example of human overconsumption, and it's a waste of our planet's resources. I'll probably toss the box the day I get it and bury the manual into a drawer somewhere after the first month. There's no reason why so much needs to be produced to enjoy something that's entirely digital. Any information you need is easily attainable online.

Plus, Steam is much more convenient as you'll never lose any of your games and you can re-download them whenever you like.

Steam for my computer games but retail copy for my ps3 and xbox games obviously.

Both! If i have an urge for a game i want it ASAP so depending on my mood i will either buy it off Steam and wait for the download or drive to town and pick it up. The more popular games i tend to buy at retail while less popular like Riven i buy off Steam. Its all about Convenience for me.

Steam/Digital downloads are the way to go. Retail copies are an example of human overconsumption, and it's a waste of our planet's resources. I'll probably toss the box the day I get it and bury the manual into a drawer somewhere after the first month. There's no reason why so much needs to be produced to enjoy something that's entirely digital. Any information you need is easily attainable online.

Plus, Steam is much more convenient as you'll never lose any of your games and you can re-download them whenever you like.

MaxGamer

Both. It depends, but usually I'll buy whatever's cheaper. Most of my game purchases in the past year have been through Steam, however, since most of them have been indie or casual games.

But I did buy a retail copy of Braid, even though I already owned it through Steam. :)

Why is no both option? Not everyone buys from one.

Steam all the way!!! The last retail copy of a game I bought was Battflefield 2142, like 4 years ago.

For newer games, I buy Steam or Impulse. For older games, I go to GoG - they do a great job with making sure the games actually work.

edit: And yeah, I'll buy retail sometimes, but I try to avoid it.