Digital distribution vs Hard copy

[loves2splooge]

I dislike digital distribution because it takes away a real sense of ownership. You can't sell your digitally distributed games (some services may be an exception. I know with eLicense, technically you can but eLicense is one of those services that use online install activiation limits. You can only have the game installed on one computer at a time. If by any chance your hard drive crashes, fucks up, whatever, you have to contact tech support. Not sure how the process works but I'd imagine you either have to give them an online receipt or the info to the credit card you used to buy the game. Some may not feel that's a big deal but it does seem like a pain in the ass).

I will only buy digitally distributed games if 1) I can't physically own those games or 2) The DRM scheme used for the physical game makes it impossible to resell the game (ie. retail PC games forcing you to activate with Steam, Ubisoft or whatever) or 3) I can't find a functioning pirate copy (that is how oppossed to DRM I am. Companies that pull these stunts don't deserve support from gamers)

Thus far I've only bought 3 DD games (1 PC, 2 XBLA). Well if you count cellphone games, that's not true. But I use prepaid and I had a lot of excessive airtime that wasn't gonna get used up so it was a use it or lose it sort of situation. So I just bought cellphone games with some of the extra money on my balance). Anywho, the PC game was some obscure indie game that no one bothered to crack because it was relatively unknown (World of Mixed Martial Arts). And I bought Castle Crashers and Puzzle Quest for XBLA (my other XBLA games are either contained on a physical disc, giving it actual ownership value. Or legitimately free games like Hexic HD and the free games you can download off XBLA.) Castle Crashers is DD-exclusive so I had no choice if I wanted to play the game. And I got Puzzle Quest for XBLA because I wanted online-play. The DS version didn't have it and the PC version (apparently the physical copy is completely DRM-free) doesn't have matchmaking, only Direct IP play I believe. But I regret that because I got bored of that game pretty quickly and now I'm stuck with it. lol. The DS, retail PSP and retail PC versions are at least resellable.

Also I must point out that having a box, the disc and a booklet is all nice. I especially like the more old-school PC game packages (these slimmed-down more eco-friendly packages suck. lol). You got more for your money. But on the flip side, it sucks needing to find room for all these games (that's what resale is for though I guess).