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Forums - Gaming - Digital future is slow to transition and digital customers have to suffer.

Pemalite on 17 November 2014
Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
Pemalite said:

I can't wait for last-century physical media to be abolished completely for everything.

Not only do you have the cost concerns where it drives up prices for consumers (Even digital-only consumers), but it's slow and archaic, developers would probably benefit greatly if they removed the slowest common denominator in a console like the optical drive, suddenly streaming assets becomes significantly more feasible and load times are reduced for everyone.

However, for it to become a reality, console internal storage capacities need to increase, when games start pushing 50-60Gb+ that anemic 500Gb HDD is not going to last the distance... And who want's ugly external hard drives clogging up their entertainment area?
I wish both Microsoft and Sony had the foresight and supported the option of user-replaceable multiple 3.5" internal drives so power users could rock 6,000Gb or more in their machines.

Are you sure you are still talking about consoles?

I mean, what the heck would a console power user be doing?


Of course I am still talking about consoles.
It would have been trivial for the companies to include 2x 3.5" drive bays, then they/users could fill them both with 3/4Tb hard drives for 6-8Tb of storage space.

Game install sizes are ballooning to around the 50Gb mark today (And will continue to increase as the generation continues, aided with compression and day 0  content updates), I have roughly 100 Xbox 360 games, if I were to have a games library that large on the Xbox One, I would be looking at about 5 Terabytes of data on average installed.
That doesn't include trailers, Map Packs/DLC, Arcade games, Games with Gold.
Remember install times have also increased dramatically. (It took me about 20 hours to install MCC) so having them all installed at the same time creates convenience, which consoles are supposed to be for.

Lets not forget either that Consoles have transcended beyond just playing games, but have also turned into more of a general-purpose media consumption device where you can buy Music, Movies and such, I would only expect that to expand as the generation continues and Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo seek to monetize it's user bases even farther.




www.youtube.com/@Pemalite

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Intrinsic on 17 November 2014
Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
Pemalite said:

I can't wait for last-century physical media to be abolished completely for everything.

Not only do you have the cost concerns where it drives up prices for consumers (Even digital-only consumers), but it's slow and archaic, developers would probably benefit greatly if they removed the slowest common denominator in a console like the optical drive, suddenly streaming assets becomes significantly more feasible and load times are reduced for everyone.

However, for it to become a reality, console internal storage capacities need to increase, when games start pushing 50-60Gb+ that anemic 500Gb HDD is not going to last the distance... And who want's ugly external hard drives clogging up their entertainment area?
I wish both Microsoft and Sony had the foresight and supported the option of user-replaceable multiple 3.5" internal drives so power users could rock 6,000Gb or more in their machines.

Are you sure you are still talking about consoles?

I mean, what the heck would a console power user be doing?

lol i was thinking the exact same thing. I guess the concept of a console completely eludes him.

by the next gen on consoles I am sure the optical drive will be out of the equation. we may even get to see versions of this current gen of consoles ship without it.



Burek on 17 November 2014
The Fury said:
Burek said:
Last night before I went to bed I put far Cry 4 and GTA V to download on my PS4. This morning when I woke up, they are downloaded and ready, waiting for the official release to remove the lock.

Tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. I can play the games if I want to (of course, I will sadly need to go to work), with no need to wait for the mailman who might or might not show up for days, or to go to the store and pay for my game and their lease at the same time.

On Friday (or thursday if I'm lucky) I'll come home to Dragon Age Inquisition at my house after it is delivered. £17 cheaper than PS store, I can then buy another game with the money saved.

While some benefits of a digital future are here, in terms of price, it just doesn't compete and for this reason will never win.

I don't know about you, but the physical versions are usually about £40 or even more, and in Croatia they are about 60€, while digital games are $60 (around £35 or 45€).And i don't even have to think about postage, package getting lost in the mail, driving to stores to find if they have it stocked etc...



The Fury on 17 November 2014
Burek said:

I don't know about you, but the physical versions are usually about £40 or even more, and in Croatia they are about 60€, while digital games are $60 (around £35 or 45€).And i don't even have to think about postage, package getting lost in the mail, driving to stores to find if they have it stocked etc...

Prehaps it works differently, let me say this then: "In the UK it will never win." RRP is £55, PS Store keeps to that figure precisely (example used earlier, Lego Marvel was £47 in the shop until this recent sale, no high street shop is selling it for anywhere near that now (a year later)). The high street through lowers this by £10 automatically, always does. Then shops compete from this, RRP in GAME will be £45, while other shops and online will switch and change, amazon will price match etc.  The UK games market is very competitive with many outlet struggling for your money.

PS Store is one store which doesn't compete directly with these shops so prices don't change.

I'm not too fussed about postage, website post for free and the Royal Mail isn't exactly a amatuer organisation (until the next strike that is :P ).



Hmm, pie.

torok on 17 November 2014
Alby_da_Wolf said:


This. That's why I like DRM-free physical, but  there's a digital too I actually like, gog.com.


Of course, GOG. It would be amazing if all big titles were there too instead of Steam and we could get a DRM free PC-gaming future. Let's be honest, the DRM on Steam isn't avoiding piracy or something like that (just look at Pirate Bay and we already have Far Cry 4 and Dragon Age: Inquisition there). So I think the objective of that DRM isn't to fight piracy. Then, the cosumers who actually pay should be worried about the intention behind this DRM.



Bet with jetforcejiminy: PS4 will pass the Wii lifetime numbers.

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torok on 17 November 2014
Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
Puppyroach said:
What I don't get is why MS doesn't offer digital games at 15-20$ lower price digitally, at least for the 1st party games. They want this transition, so why not push for it?

They wanted the transition to control the market. Only competition drives prices so low on PC. For console, you have 2 and sometimes 3 options for multiplats. Especially when they are cutting out the middle man, thats more for the manufacturer, the publisher, and if they're lucky the devs too.


The DRM drives the prices so low on PC on Steam. Instead of having a game that is yours, you have a digital license that can have the pull plugged. If Valves goes bankrupt, every PC gamer on Steam can say goodby to their entire game collection.



Bet with jetforcejiminy: PS4 will pass the Wii lifetime numbers.

torok on 17 November 2014
disolitude said:

What's the point of physic games in 2014? Seriously, it takes 2 hours to install the damn thing and then another 2 to download the day 1 DLC patch?

Its not like you can take it to a friends house and play it while you're there. The disk is just a vessel for the installation files...that's it


My PS4 install the games in 1 or 2 minutes. The day one patch will be the same for both copies anyway.

And of course I can take it to a friends house. I did even on PS3 since not all games would need a install. With the PS4 where any install takes 1 min? It's easy.



Bet with jetforcejiminy: PS4 will pass the Wii lifetime numbers.

yvanjean on 17 November 2014
Experimental42 said:
yvanjean said:
 

Once Sony and Microsoft establish a big enough customer base... you will see the digital price greatly reduce. EA access is an early promised of that digital future. Many gamers have complained about EA access but where else can your access to six games and have access to five 6-hours full game trials for only $5. This is greatly going to reduce the cost of a hobby we all love and Sony and Microsoft revenue will actually increase has our cost go down.

 


Nowhere, because EA lied through their f*cking teeth. It says full game but you can finish what they intended you to play earlier than expected and it tells you your time is up and to buy the full game, regardless of whether or not it has been 6 hours.

Wow you obviously never tried EA Access. I played dragon age Inquisition Trial on the week and I stop playing after 3 hours and 30 min and the game said I have slightly over 2 hours left in my trial. If your going to bash the service at least bring up valid argument, in the end how can you complain for low cost of $5/ month. For $5 you get to play NFL15, Fifa15, Nhl15 and Dragon age inquisition for 6 hours on top of any game in the vault. If you're on the fence with anyone of these game spend $5 on EA Access.



prayformojo on 17 November 2014
Metal Man said:

 At some point, I would like to have all my new purchases transition over to hi-res 5.1 DVD-A or some comparable format.  Sadly, I just don't think that's going to happen.

 


Yup. I think it's safe to say that we have seen the last of the physical formats. It's a shame too because like you said, they can all be improved upon. 

Even if we get to the point where we get digital options for hi-resolution music, I still won't find it appealing. There's just something lost imo.



Pemalite on 17 November 2014
KylieDog said:
Pemalite said:

I can't wait for last-century physical media to be abolished completely for everything.

Not only do you have the cost concerns where it drives up prices for consumers (Even digital-only consumers), but it's slow and archaic, developers would probably benefit greatly if they removed the slowest common denominator in a console like the optical drive, suddenly streaming assets becomes significantly more feasible and load times are reduced for everyone.

However, for it to become a reality, console internal storage capacities need to increase, when games start pushing 50-60Gb+ that anemic 500Gb HDD is not going to last the distance... And who want's ugly external hard drives clogging up their entertainment area?
I wish both Microsoft and Sony had the foresight and supported the option of user-replaceable multiple 3.5" internal drives so power users could rock 6,000Gb or more in their machines.


Physcial/retail actually keeps costs down, since it creates competition.  All digital means you by from your consoles marketplace at whatever jacked up price they like, or you go without.

This isn't music or movies where the end user (us) has multiple platform options.  You want PS4 games, you're forced to use a PS4, want XBO games, forced to use XBO.  Want music?  Pretty much anything plays it these days.


Retail keeps prices up, for instance Digital "needs" to price match retail because retailers wish to maintain their archaic business model instead of evolving with the market.

You also have competition with digital.
Take Steam for instance, it may be a "Platform" but dozens of digital retailers will sell you games for that particular platform.
For example, you can buy a game from Steam, Green Man Gaming, Humble Bundle, etc' but they all activate on Steam.
There is no reason for consoles not to have a key-system so a similar thing occurs on those platforms, in-fact the infrustructure to do so already exists.

Retail keeps prices high, we see it with PC games all the time, it's the excuse most publishers use when doing price increases on Steam in Australia to match retail price rather than the cheaper American price.

http://games.on.net/2014/08/civilization-beyond-earth-just-went-up-40-on-steam/
http://games.on.net/2014/09/middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-just-went-up-22-on-steam/
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/11/why-do-videogames-cost-so-much/
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117433-Australia-Asks-About-High-Game-Prices
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-australian-game-prices-will-not-drop/1100-6401518/




www.youtube.com/@Pemalite