Conina said:
There are LESS pluses to digital on console than on PC, but there are a few: - not having to change the disc/module: it may be a minor inconvenience for you and me and many others to stand up and change the disc/module on a home console. But it's a much bigger hassle for someone who is immobile (bound to bed, wheelchair...) or if you stream the game to another room (WiiU off-TV, PS4 RemotePlay to Vita/PSTV/Smartphone, XBO to PC/tablet) within your WLAN or even globally (PS4 RemotePlay to Vita/Smartphone). On handhelds digital versions are also very convenient because you don't have to carry around a bunch of modules additional to the device... and perhaps even lose some of them. - it allows SharePlay to more than one game (the client has access to the whole digital library, but only to the 1 retail game that is inserted); the same goes for Steam Family Sharing and I'm sure Microsoft and Nintendo are working on similar sharing options, preferentially for their digital games. - it allows cross-buy: many games you buy on PSN are cross-buy while the retail versions of the same games aren't cross-buy. Because cross-buy retail titles without account binding would only work if they include several discs/modules in the retail version... a PS3/PS4/Vita-game would at least need the Vita-module and a hybrid-disc with the PS3 + PS4 version (or two separate discs). - the retail version of a PS1 game can be played only on PlayStation home consoles, the digital version of a PS1 game can be played only on PlayStation home consoles. The retail version of a PSP game can be played only on PSP, the digital version of a PSP game can be played on PSP, Vita and PSTV. Some digital versions of (smaller) XBO games will also be playable on Windows10-PCs and tablets, some even on WindowsPhone 10... Microsoft just announced it. - it allows gaming subscriptions like PS+ and Games with Gold and EA Access, which are a great deal for gamers and for participating indie developers (their game is a whole month in the spotlight and can build a fanbase, which will help their following releases a lot)... can you imagine a similar subscription model in retail? Sony or Microsoft sending you 2 - 6 retail games every month and you don't have to send them back until you cancel that subscription... all for $3 - $5 per month? - most small indie games would have failed horribly without digital distribution, no matter how fun and perfect they are. Good luck finding a publisher for a small game which shall be sold around $10, ... it would go under in retail, most retailers wouldn't give it much shelve space and the shipping/packaging costs would be out of all proportion. Sure, some indie games were released at retail for collectors, but only additional to the digital distribution and only after they have proven themself as success. |
I agree on these points.
digital does have its up and dows and so does physical format.
Its just if i buy something i want to OWN it i want to see it, digital games are just buying a license.
Also i agree with indie games most of them like shovel knights are a huge succes digital and its awesome they wil release a physical version.
You do see that even indie developers see a market for physical releases.
