Cartridges -> disk -> Cartridges come back??

[dharh]

jack100 said:

dharh said:

Lets see. Pennies per gig (disc based, Direct download), or dollars per gig? Do the math.

We have a long long way to go before flash catches up with disc based mediums, by that time people are going to accept downloading their games. Downloading games is way more convenient. Game gets released, everyone who wants a copy can get a copy, nearly instantly (donwload time). No waiting in line overnight, no worrying if they are sold out.

If you want a 'physical' copy, make a backup to a USB flash card. 

it's not the same to have a physical copy on a USB flash card compared to going to the store to pick one up.....for me at least.

Downloads can be a pain if they don't have a good server, can you imagine how slow it will get if millions of people were to downlaod a game at the same time?  It would be faster for me to go to me closest game store.

The servers would be able to handle it, the download servers could be made scalable so they turn on extra servers and bandwidth when necessary. Millions of people would be downloading every single day, a new release (even a mega hit) might not even be more than a blip.

What you really want is the case, to show off on your shelf, I seriously doubt most people care about the disc itself, other than the fact that its part of the package (case, instructions, disc). Even if some people do want the physical version, developers could always do both. You should obviously pay more for the physical game, but if you want it, then by all means.