The thing with music though is they are small in size and relatively easy to download. Apple was able to use this to their advantage and completely change the way we buy music and we can see this similar business strategy with the Appstore. Games are large and probably will increase even more in size as we go beyond into next gen. I think our internet infrastructure is just not ready yet. I feel like MS, Sony, and Nintendo realize this but are also fully aware they need that profit margin. The reason the Appstore works as digital only is because we can even use something like 3G to download these bite-size games. Not even the PSVita can use 3G to download its games. The bandwitch caps on our internet is limiting the potential of digital only games.

You're right though. This will probably happen sometime eventually. But not for a good long while. If retailers already lost music, then they would be even more unwilling to lose games. I would assume retailers make more money from physical sales than digital sales so they will keep pushing for them for as long as they can. Most gamers also favor physical copies as well, especially for a home console. I can see dedicated gaming handhelds going digital only much earlier than home consoles, that is if dedicated gaming handhelds can continue to live (which I hope they do).

Maybe all games will be available as digital purchases as well though I doubt it.
Some new releases are already available digitally like ME3 on ps3, and with psn+ you get to try out the full game for 60 minutes before buying. Yet it's the same price as a physical copy and 14.7gb to download, too much for me to download on a regular basis.

I rather have physical copies anyway. Journey is my favorite game atm and it's sad I don't have a box with some nice art to put on my shelf next to Ico and Sotc. How long will Sony support ps3 psn games?

Buying games digitally from all kinds of different places is starting to become confusing too. Instead of a bunch of boxes on the shelf I end up with a inbox with activation emails, download links and different logins.

Download is fine for games I only intend to play briefly, just like renting a movie. Steam sales are great for that, I just bought Bioshock 2 for $5. Haven't touched it yet though like a lot of other Steam bargains :/

I'm surprised to see so many people predict that the next gens distribution method will be the same as this gen. If I was a console producer I wouldn't hesitate to provide both medium simultaneously. It's really a no harm done to consumers strategy. Nice to hear all the input, everyone.

Chark said:

I'm surprised to see so many people predict that the next gens distribution method will be the same as this gen. If I was a console producer I wouldn't hesitate to provide both medium simultaneously. It's really a no harm done to consumers strategy. Nice to hear all the input, everyone.

Many Games on consoles are already distributed digitally and next gen that dynamic will expand....so what more do you want? 

What's NOT going to happen next gen, is there ISN'T going to be an DD ONLY dedicated video game console. Retail will not allow that.

(look up the RAZOR BLADE BUISINESS MODEL if you don't understand why)

i think they'll test the waters with certain ip. Sony may try R&C, Resistence, and infamous.

or they'll just balance it out, making some ip you'll have to buy throuhg psn, some retail, and some both

Uh...I'm surprised more people don't think all retails games will also be available digitally day one instead of continuing to have retail titles that are only found in retail form.

Chark said:

Uh...I'm surprised more people don't think all retails games will also be available digitally day one instead of continuing to have retail titles that are only found in retail form.

Well, we do have console games now that launch both ways....

MASS EFFECT 3 comes to mind, and we'll get more of that next gen. Although personally, I don't know why people even want that. For MASS EFFECT 3, they bought the game for the same price, but physically got less...they didn't even get a discount.

But whatever, I guess.

Consumer's choice rules here.

While pointing out the PSP Go model isn't quite relevant to future hardware generations (should be pointed out that all PSP titles have never been available digitally), consumers do like to have the option of picking up retail copies or the convenience of DD for those with fast connections.

It goes without saying that the dual distro format makes titles available to the broadest spectrum of potential buyers. Restricting that with an all DD model will result in lost sales for publishers.

Another thing to take into account, most games that are both retail and on the console stores now are cheaper at retail. Amazon usually has great deals and most stores drop games to 30-40 after a month or two. That doesn't even include if you wait a year most games will be 20 at some point, psn and xbl will never match these prices.

I don't see why online stores can't offer the same thing. There are plenty of sales every week on xbla and psn, its just a matter of have much support they have. Hire a couple extra people to run them like a store front and all the sudden their online method is competitive with the likes of Amazon and game stores. If the ERV drops, so should the digital price. I think its just been lazy that prices are more concrete this gen. Maybe to help finance the online store because its just getting its feet, or maybe just to squeeze out more money even though digital distribution should be givin them a larger profit margin...wait I just said the answer, larger profit margin. If they want to provide full digital titles next gen, it will adapt to make more sense and not just prey on our desire for convienience.