fumanstan

I recall a lot more negativity about buying games digitally with the whole Microsoft DRM fiasco before the XBox One launch, hating the idea of not being able to trade in games after playing them, the pricing, etc. Has that changed or softened for a lot of you console only gamers? I remember arguing before at the time that as a PC gamer being digital only was just fine and a non-issue for years now, and it feels like there's much less of a backlash now and more people preferring some type of games be digital rather then having to always swap discs.

I imagine it's mostly a case by case basis, with certain replayable games being great to have digital whereas the one and done single player games being disc so they can be traded away afterwards (unless the price is right). But it seemed like things have gradually softened as I remember people being so vehemently against anything digital before.

chuckd21

Yep. Gimme everything digital now. I'm tired of the clutter.

fujishig

The main thing, to me, that changed my opinion is the fact that both Xbox One and PS4 still install the entire game on your system anyway, and most games require multi gigs of updates. So it's not like these games are going to be playable if the online ecosystem goes away and you need to install fresh, and a lot of games limit what you can do without an online connection (like NBA 2K). Otherwise I don't trade in my games anyway. The digital sales have been surprisingly decent as well.

Honestly, if not for Best Buy GCU, I doubt I'd buy many new release games and just wait for digital or clearance sales.

funkyryno

Digital is definitely more convenient. I'm becoming a convert, although I hope a market for physical copies stays strong. The DRM crap MSFT pulled was pretty lame and anti-consumer.

My biggest gripe so far is that consumers are not seeing any price savings with digital distribution.

fujishig

What price savings would you expect to see, though, without them ticking off the stores that sell physical products by undercutting them?

Kedrix

My attitude has softened some, but I still want physical for a good majority of my games, especially the ones I'm really wanting to "keep" as part of my collection. However, I have converted some of my physical copies of my more casual and not so special games to digital copies during key sales and then making my money back on selling the physical copy. Just depends. I agree, I'm trying to reduce a little bit of clutter too but some games will always look good on my shelf.

cruzness

Gotta admit I like digital for games that I play on a heavy rotation. Mainly because I like the convenience of not having to get up to change games. I do love my GCU so it is nice to get discounts on physical copies. I also believe that there should be a savings given to the digital version of the game.

Now if only my controller wouldn't need charging I would be set.

Dan

I prefer digital for pretty much everything, except COD. Since I don't do COD multiplayer anymore, I prefer to buy the game physically, complete the single-player campaign, then ditch the disc within a week.

I still hold out hope that some kind of "family sharing" gets rolled out (much like Steam's sharing options), but I don't see it happening.

Digital prices NEED to come down. $5 or $10 below the physical price is all I ask... but if it happened, retailers would throw a fit.

Rival11

Nope - Will always stick with physical just like I will with CD's and bluray's....Love having the artwork and tangible in general.

But with that said.....let's be clear - I have nothing against people who are digital only.

fujishig

It doesn't help the physical releases' case when the actual case is poked full of holes to save on material, and there's no booklet or manual or anything included. I can't remember the last non-special-edition or steelbook case that I was actually impressed with.

chuckd21

I bought The Order for $10. The Crew Complete for $15. Digital sales happen all the time. I don't know why the myth persists that they don't.

Kromax

My opinion has evolved, especially owning multiple X1's. The main gamertag can play the digital content on any X1 and the sub account holders can use play the content on the primary X1, even at the same time. That means, I can race my son (and lose miserably) in Forza 6, which is awesome.

Also, the laziness factor. Not getting up to change discs is surprisingly freeing.

mattysemo247

Nope, I still want physical on most stuff. If anything, to lend to friends or sell later if I want. Games that I play in short bursts (like Trials for example) I do want digital. If anything, games like those are good way to pass time when downloading patches and installing the games from the disc.

starseed1981

This. 100%.

Rob V

Prefer digital but GCU makes me stay physical.

Groucho

I like digital just fine, but it is nice to be able to lend out games and not have to download them (although day one patches typically means a big download anyway).

musick

no change .... first choice is always physical
collector by nature and I cannot trade in a digital copy if I don't like or tire of the material

Michael Corvin

It was never purely about physical vs. digital, IMO, it was about price. Gamers club unlocked, clearance, used, etc. Deals disappear if MS or Sony are in control and the ONLY source of digital games like MS wanted to do.

That being said, I'm still down the middle. Games I know I'll keep and want the convenience of always ready to play (Halo, Borderlands, etc) I'll go digital. Anything that has less replay value, it'll be physical.

funkyryno

I think most people understand that digital games go on sale. But on average, I haven't seen any evidence that consumers are seeing substantial savings on digital products (especially when you consider the inability to resell the games).

cleaver

I was all about physical then I had a kid now I lean digital

fumanstan

You still think so? Their messaging was so terrible and vague, but I don't really see how being digital only is anti-consumer or any different from how the digital distribution systems are now. There's just the choice of physical along with it.

Anyway, another thing that made me think about the usefulness of digital is backwards compatibility with the One/360. Hopefully it remains a thing going forward, but the ease of retaining games you've purchased before feels more useful now rather then hanging on to old 360 discs and cases.

I still don't think digital necessarily means less sales, I think it would be more ideal if they continued the same way that PC games do where retailers still sell physical copies or game codes so you still keep multiple stores competing with each other for discounts and sales. fujishig made a good point that since all games have to be installed anyway, it really does end up being like a PC. They could just tie physical game codes or licenses to your account

chuckd21

The Xbox One stuff never happened. I don't know why people continue to debate it. It was an idea, the market said no, they scrapped it.

davidh777

I tend to go physical, but credits and points have made me more amenable to digital. Swapping discs in and out when my kid and I are playing different games--especially when the X1 is a little hit and miss on reading them--also gives digital a little more appeal.

Gooter

Price rules all for me so usually that translates into physical (love my GCU). Plus, I like that I can trade/sell physical when needed.

Having said that, I buy digital games I know I won't get rid of... IF I can get it for a cheap price. Most recent example is the Uncharted Collection PS4. Bought digital for around $26.

Edit to add the one exception to the above is I tend to buy the digital version for games my kids play, i.e., Infinity. It is easier for them and my wife to start up a digital game versus physical.

fujishig

Physical stores do sell the digital download codes, though those never go on sale (except on Amazon, which is not a B&M). However, most physical stores seem to have a tiny PC section (if they have one at all) compared to console games, and I wonder what the sell through is like, especially with the popularity of something like Steam.

Though I guess Steam shows us that deep discounts on digital does happen, even when they don't have much competition. And then you have something like Nintendo, where the sales are pretty lackluster.