Comments on: The inevitabilty of digital downloads

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:43:22 +0000

Still not happening, gentlemen.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/market-research/retail-still-accounts-for-72-of-software-revenue-323463.php

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:59:52 +0000

Thanks for your input gentlemen.
It is interesting that Apple is now going to let 3rd parties develop for iPhone and iPod. I reckon that this will be content that is 100% bought by download.

By: a714generation

a714generation — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:49:55 +0000

It’s cool. You may be right. We’ll have to wait and see I suppose.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:04:38 +0000

Hmm. I still beg to differ. They said newspapers will die, but only game magazines did–and many are still very much alive.

Apples and oranges.

By: a714generation

a714generation — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:04:41 +0000

Digital downloading will become the standard way to get all media content–I would concur that it is inevitable. But change will be very slow at first, because of the problems Mike mentioned. The big box stores and the used game shops will do everything in their power to stop it.

However, once we reach a tipping point of public opinion, a monumental shift will happen fairly quickly, as businesses either adapt to the changing landscape or fold their games division.

This will happen not only through games, but in terms of movies and television too. And because of convergence it’s probably going to happen through one entertainment hub that provides television, games, and internet access. We’re already moving that way.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:29:05 +0000

You forget that you can’t resell your old games with Steam, unless you’re willing to divulge your user details to the potential buyer.

Here’s a loaded word you just used: “‘Some’ customers like to have plastic and cardboard.” I’d like to change this to “many” because it remains to be the sentiment of the greater majority.

Nothing beats having a hard copy of your game, especially when your hard disk crashes, and/or you need to do a low-level format because of a virus attack.

What if I make hard copies?

If you do decide to make copies of your digitally-downloaded game, you’ll discover (the hard way) that DDR measures are such a pain to use. All this effort at DDR is actually hurting the sales because instead of going through all the trouble, consumers would opt for the cheaper, less-hassle pirated copies.

Besides, the durability of DVD-Rs could never be compared to the original manufactured disks, which could last for decades when well taken care of. DVD-Rs, after all, are a business, so manufacturers see to it that your disks won’t last forever.

Can you tell me honestly that a DVD you copied could last as long as my original 4-disk set of Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within? The old CDs I copied a couple of years ago are already acting up, and I take care of them through great, anal lengths.

Digital downloads may be a new approach to distribution, but retail will always be the majority, make no mistake.

I do want my plastic and cardboard.