Digital download, and that's it. To get any type of acceptable speed you would need flash memory (which is expensive) or blu-ray (which isn't quite as expensive, but still kinda expensive). If you assume most games this gen will be ~25gb, you would need 32gb of flash memory to cover that, and SD cards of that size are around $20. A single blu-ray disc costs around $1. That's $19 more you'll have to pay to have flash memory media.

This a million times. I remember having tons of VHS and DVDs as kid which I eventually just throw them out because there was no need for me to own them anymore...if I want to watch those movies I would just go to internet and problem solved, all those movies were a waste of space. 

The market of people who wants to own a physical copy of a movie will become very small, to the point of just becoming a niche market. Same will most likely happen with games in the long run.

There will always be a market for Blu-Ray as long as digital version of movies aren't available in all countries and as long as Blu-Ray generates as much cash as it does for studios.

Just want you to know that I'm with you on this. I love Blu Ray. I love 1080p on a high quality TV. I think a big reason behind Blu Ray not doing well is the price - not that people don't want it.

I think it's more about convenience than money. Whenever I have plans with friends to watch a movie, even though they have several dvd's, we always end up using netflix because it's much easier. You have many options in front of you and even recommendations. It's just easier than going through one's entire dvd collection. And one can use a single netflix account anywhere he goes. Why rent or even buy movies when you can watch them instantly and never misplace them?(There've been several cases where a dvd has been put in the wrong case and it takes ages to find it). 

to sum up my thoughts on this, I could use one word: "unfortunate"

I don't know if consumers changed that much over time. Sure rental has been replaced by streaming, which also took away the sell through of new and used dvds at rental stores. Yet the number of actual movie collectors, I doubt that has changed. Blu-ray sales are still growing. If more people nowadays don't care about owning movies, then shouldn't it be declining in line with dvd sales?

I didn't start collecting until I was into my twenties. I didn't see the point back then either. You can always rent it again, make a copy, or watch on tv. Nowadays I like to get the experience as close to how it was intended in the cinema (well apart from 3D yuck) Unfortunately my local cinema doesn't play any movie I want at my convenience, my home theater does.

I like to watch a movie multiple times. Your understanding and interpretation of the story does change (well maybe not for your average blockbuster superhero flick). Extras and audio commentary are a nice bonus too for great movies. I watched the whole 13 hour audio commentary of lotr extended cut, very cool insight in how the movie came together. But yes, I know I'm not a casual movie watcher.

And really how much space does it take. The average bookshelf holds 60 to 100 blu-rays.

it actually did change a lot in just 1 year.. just look at the numbers how it changed in one year:



Bluray sales actually only grew 4,2% in 2013 from 2012... it pretty much stagnated... While DVD dropped 14.2%...
http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/with-anemic-blu-ray-disc-sales-home-entertainment-grew-modestly-in-2013/

Even movie studios are releasing digital timed exclusives meaning that the digital version is available weeks before the disc version.. they understand the change that most people don't need and want superior high quality.. otherwise we would have had timed bluray exclusives.

Disneys "Frozen" was available as Digitaly on February 25th but the DVD, Blu-ray wasn't available until March 18th.. thats 3 weeks! its saying a lot how the market changed in a short time

I'm with you both.

Where the hell do you live that blu ray costs $30.00!!!?  I can go out and buy most new movies on blue ray with a digital copy and a dvd copy included for under $20.00.  Digital is convenient but the sound quality doesn't come close to blu ray.  When you have at least a 5.1 sound system like I do, it matters.