Next-generation should be download-only.

As a PC gamer, I have embraced the digital distribution model, despite some initial skepticism. I don't buy PC games in a box anymore.

Why won't Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo embrace such a model, then? The vast majority of consoles are connected to the Internet. Most people have DSL or cable. For publishers, it would decrease distribution costs and eliminate the used-game market altogether. For consumers, they won't have to wait on UPS or drive to the store anymore - they can pre-load a game and play it the moment it is released. Furthermore, games could be more affordable as result - imagine new titles being $40 or less. Also, consoles can be made smaller, since they won't have to include any disk drives.

What a wonderful future this might be.

Pretty sure they wouldn't drop the prices anywayMonsieurX

Then fewer people will buy them. That is the way the market works.

I don't it for the consoles for a couple of reasons:

1. Bandwidth caps (80gb a month)
2. Lack of competition for each console - prices on marketplaces typically stay quite high, even with competition from stores

I disagree.

no thats stupid. most sales are still physical copies of games.mems_1224

On consoles, sure.

But on the PC, the shfit has been very dramatic - I can't remember the last time I bought a PC game in a box.

dd has been around for years so no i can't imagine new releases being $40 or less. :lol:

I don't it for the consoles for a couple of reasons:

1. Bandwidth caps (80gb a month)
2. Lack of competition for each console - prices on marketplaces typically stay quite high, even with competition from stores

lundy86_4

Yes, there's a problem there, since PC gamers have access to many different distribution channels. But consumers have a choice to buy or not to buy.

[QUOTE="mems_1224"]no thats stupid. most sales are still physical copies of games.The_Capitalist

On consoles, sure.

But on the PC, the shfit has been very dramatic - I can't remember the last time I bought a PC game in a box.

No. Maybe the generation AFTER the next. And even then I doubt disks will be dropped entirely anyway.

Yes, there's a problem there, since PC gamers have access to many different distribution channels. But consumers have a choice to buy or not to buy.

The_Capitalist

True. Consumers are typically dumb though. A lack of being able to purchse from other stores, simply means people will buy from the marketplace.

Consumers purchase based on the visceral, it's largely why so much effort is put into things like movie covers/book covers/magazine covers/etc.

They wouldn't even drop the prices. They want to make as much money as possible, plus that would kill the used game market. I doubt they would make it download only because tax money would be lost to.

Yeah, no.

Not everyone has internet or wifi diot!! people need to think about others. The PSP go failed miserably.Kaszilla

You obviously have the Internet right now, do you?

Not everyone has internet or wifi diot!! people need to think about others. The PSP go failed miserably.Kaszilla

Yeah, and you're an idiot yourself if you think PSPGo's failure was because it was download only.

I'd have no confidence in knowing I actually own the game if it was download only.

Not going to happen.

I'd have no confidence in knowing I actually own the game if it was download only.

Pikminmaniac

You never owned anything, not even when you had a disk in your hands. That disk was a license for you to play the game, not own it.

[QUOTE="Pikminmaniac"]

I'd have no confidence in knowing I actually own the game if it was download only.

The_Capitalist

You never owned anything, not even when you had a disk in your hands. That disk was a license for you to play the game, not own it.

To the best of my knowledge, this is a matter for the courts to decide and the legal system has been rather indecisive on the whole matter.

I'm trying to see how. DD only would benifit me in any way. Time wise I could go back and forth to my gamespot 20-50 times in the time it takes to DL any major title.

[QUOTE="Pikminmaniac"]

I'd have no confidence in knowing I actually own the game if it was download only.

The_Capitalist

You never owned anything, not even when you had a disk in your hands. That disk was a license for you to play the game, not own it.

but as long as I own the disc, I have the game to play. With something like PSN +, if you got a free game, but your subscription runs out, you no longer have access to that game. Seeing the direction gaming is going in, I see more of these dirty tactics being used

bandwidth caps says no thanks!

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

[QUOTE="Pikminmaniac"]

I'd have no confidence in knowing I actually own the game if it was download only.

Pikminmaniac

You never owned anything, not even when you had a disk in your hands. That disk was a license for you to play the game, not own it.

but as long as I own the disc, I have the game to play. With something like PSN +, if you got a free game, but your subscription runs out, you no longer have access to that game. Seeing the direction gaming is going in, I see more of these dirty tactics being used

You know, it's going to be forced upon you eventually. Maybe not next generation. But I am certain the generation after next will be DD-only, with collector's editions the only thing you can buy physically. And even then, there will be no disk included - just a redemption code.

DD only next gen would be a really bad idea. Encouraging DD throughout the gen so that the gen after can potentially rely on DD would be really smart. The necessary internet infrastructure for global DD won't be ready until like 2020 anyway.

Those who already have adequate internet really should embrace DD. It IS the future. You'll always have the option to buy a hardcopy but in another decade gaming will be similar to how music is now. The vast majority of sales will be digital.

[QUOTE="Pikminmaniac"]

I'd have no confidence in knowing I actually own the game if it was download only.

The_Capitalist

You never owned anything, not even when you had a disk in your hands. That disk was a license for you to play the game, not own it.

nah i own the games i have.

If people can download DLC and not care about having a physical copy of that DLC, I don't see why they woudn't be able to simply download the entire game instead too. Once you start not having to play around with finding the disk to play your games and not having a pile of boxes is a great plus. And it's not like they weren't trying to kill the used market next-gen so the only true advantage of retail boxes will soon be gone.

Haven't plugged my 360 in the wall for a while... Can anyone tell me if downloadables games are available the same day as the retail versions?

The problem about the price will persist.
Even on PC download services, some games have started being plagued by that 59,99$ price tag.
but I'm sure if console users could get a taste of what the specials sales with games for 5$ are, I would help the transition a LOT.
If i'm not mistaken, crappy bandwith and low download limit are only a north american problem as Europeans I see laugh at our internet here in Canada.
But for those with non overly-crappy internet, Download is a huge plus.

Also, if like on steam, you could back-up all your games were ever you want. The argument about the internet usage becomes less of an issue.
I haven't downloaded a game a second time in years. And sometimes, I give the backup files to some of my friens so they don't have to download too.

As a PC gamer, I have embraced the digital distribution model, despite some initial skepticism. I don't buy PC games in a box anymore.

Why won't Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo embrace such a model, then? The vast majority of consoles are connected to the Internet. Most people have DSL or cable. For publishers, it would decrease distribution costs and eliminate the used-game market altogether. For consumers, they won't have to wait on UPS or drive to the store anymore - they can pre-load a game and play it the moment it is released. Furthermore, games could be more affordable as result - imagine new titles being $40 or less. Also, consoles can be made smaller, since they won't have to include any disk drives.

What a wonderful future this might be.

The_Capitalist

[QUOTE="Kaszilla"]Not everyone has internet or wifi diot!! people need to think about others. The PSP go failed miserably.The_Capitalist

You obviously have the Internet right now, do you?

Sorry, but I'd rather not spend several hours downloading a 10GB game.

[QUOTE="mems_1224"]no thats stupid. most sales are still physical copies of games.The_Capitalist

On consoles, sure.

But on the PC, the shfit has been very dramatic - I can't remember the last time I bought a PC game in a box.

But then the point is useless. If consoles sell more boxes why should they adopt download only suddenly. It'll happen sooner or later but next gen is too close

The Only way I would support Digital Distribution is if it is handled this way.

- "Inversion's Matthew Karch said he believes the $60 game can become $30, if digital distribution is used. He cited his belief that simply getting a game to retail incurs $30 in "waste." Instead, Karch suggests that a game's experience be broken in two components: multiplayer and single-player and distributed digitally for $15 each or bundled together for $30."

If all I had to pay for my SP campaign is $15-20, I would be pleased and would buy more games as a result. I don't buy a lot of games these days because they are aimed more for the MP crowd, so splitting the game into parts would be amazing.

DD is coming, we just have to be smart and not settle for marginally cheaper games.

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

[QUOTE="Kaszilla"]Not everyone has internet or wifi diot!! people need to think about others. The PSP go failed miserably.Kaszilla

You obviously have the Internet right now, do you?

Not download-only but I would be happy if I can purchase every game digitally.

what an awful idea

It won't work well. Console gamers are too illiterate considering 90%+ of them are somewhere in grade school. You simply can't use the success of digital distribution on PC/Mac as an implication of the same method for console.

A download only scenario gives publishers the power to create a rental only type of scenario. It also encourages developers to release incomplete, perhaps episodic content. Owning a physical copy of something is power.

Well it isn't ready as of now, it can be used next-generation and will surpass physical sales by a lot. Most mainstream gamers and casual gamers don't give a crap about "the new game smell" or having a collection of games to show. Most of them just want to play a game and that is all.ShadowDeathX

i don't really see a correlation between "casual" gamers and caring about collecting or "the new game smell", but ok...