I've always said that next gen most of the titles would be available as digital download as the same time they would be available at retailers.

However it seems Electronic Arts and Sony are trying to move things even faster.

I noticed today that you can pre-order ME3 on the PSN.

I'm not sure how the release will be handled , whether you will have to manually launch the download on the release day or whether it will automatically launch at midnight ( with auto-update on the PSN it's doable). But anyway, that is a good step forward...

Better way to cut into used game sales than doing other bullshit options.

And this way both Sony and EA will get a bigger cut of every sale( if I am not mistaken on PSN the share is 70-30)..And I would honestly rather they get the money than retailers...

They did the same thing with ME2. Just for the record.

By the way I don't expect the number of preorders on the PSN for ME3 to be that significant but as this trend spreads it's going to make it impossible for VGChartz to track software numbers next gen...

Not that I disprove of the marketing tactic at all.

You can try the demo, and if you like it, you can pre-order the game without leaving your PS3..

Vita already has games launching digital Day 1.
So it's not surprising that PS4 will follow suit.

Anyway I don't think digital distribution will be promoted TOO much next-gen. We need retailers to hold these midnight launches for games and expose these games to the mainstream.

Now why the hell would the mainstream person wait around at midnight for a video game?  Hell, I am a pretty damn active gamer for the most part and the only game I ever went to for at midnight was Smash Bros. Brawl.  I suppose you are trying to pump up the midnight launches for "hardcore".  The way you expose the mainstream people to games is by word of mouth.  How do you think the Wii sold so well.  It wasn't word of mouth from the "hardcore" crowd.  Most people that aren't avid gamers don't really give a shit if some pimply teenager talks smack about a video game.  They hear about it from a coworker, friend, or family member. 

Can anyone explain to me what the advantage of doing this is? Maybe you love Mass Effect so you would want to keep the game anyways, but if this turns into a distribution system then the prices better be pretty low to make up for the cash back you could receive selling the game.

Even if you are too lazy or afraid to sell on ebay or amazon you will still get 20-35 dollars at Gamestop, Bestbuy, or other retailers for your used game.

Maybe if they lower the price of games to 20-30 dollars at release (not very likely I would imagine) it would sort of be worth it.

I will never understand the draw of digital distribution. It just seems like I am paying more and getting much less all to avoid the minor inconvenience of driving to a store (which you will probably go past anyways assuming you work or go to school).

If you preorder Mass Effect 3 and preload it (assuming they let you do that) then you will get to play it a whole 30 minutes to an hour before the midnight release folks who will have a copy of the game they can share, collect, or trade away for cash towards more games. Just seems like digital supporters are paying one hell of a price for virtually no advantage over physical.

I get why publishers like it, but unless you work for EA it seems rather odd to support this.

lol what?  More like 2-20 if you sell it to Gamestop.  You get maybe 20-30 trade in value for brand new releases that you are trying to trade in.  Also, did Best Buy start selling used games?  I heard something about that I believe but I haven't stepped foot into a Best Buy store in awhile.  I actually did just purchase a HP refurbished desktop from them just a little bit ago online though. 

I do not sell my games...ever. F*** used games..

Edit : Well my wife sold a few of my old PS2 games in a garage sale at 5$ each a few years ago, but I am sure not going to help gamestop, Best Buy or anyone else to make profit out of used games sales ...