Nintendo: Physical media is here to stay

Well it figures they'd say this seeing as they are dead last this gen when it comes to on-line functions. :o

Seriously, you buying what they're selling ?

Me, I'm guessing within 5 - 7 years most or maybe at least half of our games purchases will be through DL'ing. :shock:

Or not :P what say you ?

The Story.

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Despite our increasingly online-enabled world and the rise of digitally distributed games, Nintendo has insisted physical media is here to stay.

"We have been very clearly communicating for a long time that the packaged software or retail market is the one that's going to drive the mass market," Nintendo of Europe's MD of marketing and PR, Laurent Fischer told Edge.

"We have never seen any link between growth in the mobile gaming market and decrease in the normal software market. It's two different markets, two different topics. We couldn't find any evidence of those two markets being linked."

Fischer's comments echo those from Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai, who in August last year insisted that a digital future is over 10 years away.

"We do business in parts of the world where network infrastructure isn't as robust as one would hope," Hirai said.

"There's always going to be requirement for a business of our size and scope to have a physical medium.

"To think everything will be downloaded in two years, three years or even 10 years from now is taking it a little bit to the extreme."

Last July saw a watershed moment in the rise of digitally distributed games, when NPD revealed that US PC game digital downloads were reaching parity with in-store.

And in October Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick predicted that in three years' time 40 per cent of the Grand Theft Auto company's sales will be digitally distributed titles.

For Nintendo's Fischer, though, it's all about the high street.

"People who talk about the end of physical media don't share the same daily reality as most consumers," he said.

Its true most internet connections aren't good enough to be downloading huge files. And it would hurt sales of games like Wii Fit and other such family oriented games. Theres a world beyond games...

totally agree physical media be it a CD, DVD, Bluray or even a book will be around for a long long time.

still... its nice to have the choice

people are really naive to think that in our lifetime physical media will be overtaken by digital... facts are... only a handful of countries have the resources to sustain a digital only environment.. and lets face it... not everyone LIKES digital media.. i like going to a store to pick a game..and i like having the disc in my collection.. also... have fun lending ur game to a friend...oh wait...campzor

I think the main thing stopping digital distribution from taking over is that the console's online stores are run entirely by either Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo, meaning that there's no competition and they can charge what they want.

This isn't as much of a problem on the PC, where digital distribution overtook physical media years ago. Competition between online stores there has kept the prices low.

*edit* Which is to say that I think that digital distribution could take over other platforms too, as long as there are multiple ways to buy those games.

Wow. Nintendo, you let me down with the Wii but you might just win me back with this attitude.

(Before I get flamed, the Wii is a good console, just not for me. Please don't hurt me.)

[QUOTE="campzor"]people are really naive to think that in our lifetime physical media will be overtaken by digital... facts are... only a handful of countries have the resources to sustain a digital only environment.. and lets face it... not everyone LIKES digital media.. i like going to a store to pick a game..and i like having the disc in my collection.. also... have fun lending ur game to a friend...oh wait...Planeforger

I think the main thing stopping digital distribution from taking over is that the console's online stores are run entirely by either Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo, meaning that there's no competition and they can charge what they want.

This isn't as much of a problem on the PC, where digital distribution overtook physical media years ago. Competition between online stores there has kept the prices low.

*edit* Which is to say that I think that digital distribution could take over other platforms too, as long as there are multiple ways to buy those games.

Winner, winner chicken dinner.

I should have made it clearer in the OP but yes, cost is key and ya gotta wonder if this scenario becomes fact...

DD copy = 25 bucks and the store hard copy = 50 bucks, which one to buy ? Which one will I buy I wonder ?

5-7 years? That's what they were saying 5-7 years AGO and that's what they will be saying 5-7 years from NOW. Physical media will be around a long time.

Nintendo's actually the most likely to go DD on a console of their own, since they publish most of the games that come out on the Wii and could make a DD service of their own.

And to those who claim that downloading huge files takes too long, I can usually get more than a few dozen GBs worth in ~eight hours, and I have a 30 MBit connection.

I hope physical media stays around. Digital distribution means the end of real ownership.ThePlothole

Not really. The only thing you currently own is the disc media -- the software on it isn't yours. The idea that having a game in a DVD/BRD means you own its content is an illusion.

[QUOTE="ThePlothole"]I hope physical media stays around. Digital distribution means the end of real ownership.GFugue

Not really. The only thing you currently own is the disc media -- the software on it isn't yours. The idea that having a game in a DVD/BRD means you own its content is an illusion.

Nintendo's actually the most likely to go DD on a console of their own, since they publish most of the games that come out on the Wii and could make a DD service of their own.

And to those who claim that downloading huge files takes too long, I can usually get more than a few dozen GBs worth in ~eight hours, and I have a 30 MBit connection.

GFugue

Well I say to Nintendo (and all the naysayers)..

Last gen, how many games, movies, music, or overall DLC packages were available and or you downloaded?

ok

This gen, how many games, movies, music, or overall DLC packages are available and or you downloaded?

EXACTLY!

Nintendo is stating this because their business model is based around physical media (wii, DS, 3DS). They've yet to embrace the online infrastructure and are leagues behind the competition in this regard. So, they're supporting the media that supports their products.

By next gen I'm predicting that over 1/3 of the content you purchase will be DD (and that's being modest).

I understand, although I would prefer digital download over physical discs. Cases are nice, but I would rather be able to get my game now, not have to worry if I can't find it, and I would rather have all my games in one place where I can quickly swap between them. Also theoretically, games would be a lot cheaper considering the publisher no longer has to pay shipping, shelf space, and whatever else. The game become much more profitable.

[QUOTE="ThePlothole"]I hope physical media stays around. Digital distribution means the end of real ownership.GFugue

Not really. The only thing you currently own is the disc media -- the software on it isn't yours. The idea that having a game in a DVD/BRD means you own its content is an illusion.

I buy what they are saying, because truly the physical format is indeed here to stay as it always has been. I think it is a market for digital downloads that will become more open and available to coincide with said physical products. :)

DD is so much easier when you have a system like Steam backing it up.DudeNtheRoom

[QUOTE="DudeNtheRoom"] DD is so much easier when you have a system like Steam backing it up.dc337

[QUOTE="dc337"]

[QUOTE="DudeNtheRoom"] DD is so much easier when you have a system like Steam backing it up.DudeNtheRoom

I hope physical media stays around. Digital distribution means the end of real ownership.ThePlothole

Not really. The only thing you currently own is the disc media -- the software on it isn't yours. The idea that having a game in a DVD/BRD means you own its content is an illusion.

Whatever Nintendo, we know that you're not in the avant-garde of cutting edge technology anyway.

PC is and for it physical media ia a thing of the past.

Whatever Nintendo, we know that you're not in the avant-garde of cutting edge technology anyway.

PC is and for it physical media ia a thing of the past.

edidili

A big downside to DD only is that there is no store presence which provides free advertising. Some people think pc games are all peggle/nancy drew/sims stuff since that is all they see at the store.

Which is why they are offering the Virtual Console and WiiWare and not relying solely on retail releases? :|foxhound_fox

Digital download and streaming media is the future.

END OF DISCUSION

[QUOTE="ThePlothole"][QUOTE="GFugue"]

Not really. The only thing you currently own is the disc media -- the software on it isn't yours. The idea that having a game in a DVD/BRD means you own its content is an illusion.

jaymillsy

[QUOTE="jaymillsy"][QUOTE="ThePlothole"] That's the point: You own the disc, not the content. You can sell your game disc, or buy a disc second hand. You can trade a disc with a friend, or rent a copy from places like Blockbuster. None of these are an option with digital. Digital is only content, thus digital gives you nothing to own.KungfuKitten

Nintendo's actually the most likely to go DD on a console of their own, since they publish most of the games that come out on the Wii and could make a DD service of their own.

And to those who claim that downloading huge files takes too long, I can usually get more than a few dozen GBs worth in ~eight hours, and I have a 30 MBit connection.

GFugue

And once again Nintendo is showing why they are the best when it comes to videogames :)

[QUOTE="Planeforger"]

[QUOTE="campzor"]people are really naive to think that in our lifetime physical media will be overtaken by digital... facts are... only a handful of countries have the resources to sustain a digital only environment.. and lets face it... not everyone LIKES digital media.. i like going to a store to pick a game..and i like having the disc in my collection.. also... have fun lending ur game to a friend...oh wait...SecretPolice

I think the main thing stopping digital distribution from taking over is that the console's online stores are run entirely by either Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo, meaning that there's no competition and they can charge what they want.

This isn't as much of a problem on the PC, where digital distribution overtook physical media years ago. Competition between online stores there has kept the prices low.

*edit* Which is to say that I think that digital distribution could take over other platforms too, as long as there are multiple ways to buy those games.

Winner, winner chicken dinner.

I should have made it clearer in the OP but yes, cost is key and ya gotta wonder if this scenario becomes fact...

DD copy = 25 bucks and the store hard copy = 50 bucks, which one to buy ? Which one will I buy I wonder ?

do ppl really want to lose the ability to lend to friends, sell their games, trade, and by used? because that's what will happen when you go all digital. now that might be okay with $1 songs but for $60 games that's pretty harsh.Ontain

Well those are some of the greatest reasons why we pay 60$ in the first place.

do ppl really want to lose the ability to lend to friends, sell their games, trade, and by used? because that's what will happen when you go all digital. now that might be okay with $1 songs but for $60 games that's pretty harsh.Ontain

[QUOTE="Ontain"]do ppl really want to lose the ability to lend to friends, sell their games, trade, and by used? because that's what will happen when you go all digital. now that might be okay with $1 songs but for $60 games that's pretty harsh.jaymillsy

Which is why they are offering the Virtual Console and WiiWare and not relying solely on retail releases? :|foxhound_fox

That's not what they're saying though :|

There's a difference between saying"We have been very clearly communicating for a long time that the packaged software or retail market is the one that's going to drive the mass market,"and, "physical media is the only distribution type we're using/going to use".

This just in: Wii 2 to have a full GB of Flash ROM!

/Kidding

As much as I love physical media, Nintendo needs to get on board with the idea that they should fully support direct downloads of full games for the next system. Unless Nintendo plans to stick a very large amount of Flash ROM into their next home console, it will need a harddrive. A hardrive is beneficial as a data cache device too, though that is just a fix for not having enough RAM.

Every Nintendo published game needs to be available in disc and direct download, with the DD version being a bit cheaper to encourage sales over that medium, and for the lack of needing material to create the product and selling it in stores.

I enjoy the prospect of digital downloads, but people forget that its popularity on PC (which is what people point to in order to say it is teh futurez) has very little to do with ease-of-use or any distinct advantage. The reason why DD has blossomed on PC is mainly due to publishers wanting a better method of curbing piracy and the disappearance of PC games from the retail scene. Until console games have a MAJOR reduction in presence in retail stores, then physical media will continue to dominate.Mrmccormo

Being skeptical that physical media will be replaced entirely by digital media in a few years time is not unreasonable. Completely rulling out the possibility of that ever happening on the other hand would be.

[QUOTE="Mrmccormo"]I enjoy the prospect of digital downloads, but people forget that its popularity on PC (which is what people point to in order to say it is teh futurez) has very little to do with ease-of-use or any distinct advantage. The reason why DD has blossomed on PC is mainly due to publishers wanting a better method of curbing piracy and the disappearance of PC games from the retail scene. Until console games have a MAJOR reduction in presence in retail stores, then physical media will continue to dominate.PC_Otter

[QUOTE="PC_Otter"][QUOTE="Mrmccormo"]I enjoy the prospect of digital downloads, but people forget that its popularity on PC (which is what people point to in order to say it is teh futurez) has very little to do with ease-of-use or any distinct advantage. The reason why DD has blossomed on PC is mainly due to publishers wanting a better method of curbing piracy and the disappearance of PC games from the retail scene. Until console games have a MAJOR reduction in presence in retail stores, then physical media will continue to dominate.Mrmccormo

Good to hear.

Personally, I prefer my hard copies of Games, Music & Movies.

However, the latter, I've been watching far too much Netflix :(

I don't care if physical media is here to stay. If it keeps people from whining, sure, keep it. What I absolutely want, however, is that every game that has a physical release sees a digital release as well. The PC is the only platform so far that has fulfilled this need of mine.