Topic: Digital Games vs Disc's

Hi all,

What is your thoughts about digital content compared to discs?

I think, after being a PC/Steam gamer for so long, I am used to having a Digital libary of games as opposed to physical discs. I have a massive steam game collection (mainly due to the fact that Valve throw games away dirt-cheap.)
I think besides the obvious ¬It's not that I am too lazy to get up and change discs, but lets be honest, it easier if you dont have to.¬
There is more of a reason to get digital content as a console gamer, than a PC gamer.
For example, The PS4 is about to be realeased... PS4 will not play PS3 discs... but Im assuming it will play PS3 games that you have purchased digitally, right from the moment you get it, if you would like to. right?

Whats everyones thought on Digital content?
I know one thing, its too expensive. Considering the games are digital and the publishers dont need to pay for boxing, distribution etc... it should be available at a cheaper price IMO. Unless of course your a PS+ subscriber and you get Digital games for free

I was considering pre orering GTA V from the PSN, which would mean I could play it on PS4 right;? Also, If I preorder a game on the PSN, can I preload it onto my harddrive ready for the "unlock" time (release date)? or would I have to wait until the release date to Download?

The PS4 will not be backwards compatable with digital PS3 games for the same reasons dics won't work. The system artitechure is different and doesn't have the ability to read and play PS3 games, it has nothing to do with being on a disc.

Actually I like them both but I prefer having a physical copy.

The main reason is that its mine forever and ever.  I dont have to worry about a company going under and not being able to download that game again.  I can still find cartridges of my favorite games on places like Ebay and even a few retro stores that those companies have long been gone.

While I will admit digital is convenient where as I dont even have to leave the house to buy a game, I will still enjoy a physical copy.

I'm probably alone in this but I prefer digital.

Physical copies for me because I don't have to worry about my hard drive or memory card getting full, and because I like trading in games for newer ones. I'm not the kind of person that does multiple playthroughs on single player only games, unless they are REALLY good!

I like both for their different Pros
With Physical:
I can lend the games to my friends, I feel happy seeing my pile of games growing up and I really like box art.
Digital:
I don't need to keep changing discs, I don't have to fear that the disc get may get scarthed or broke and I don't need to pay for International shipping or drive to a store to get the game.

Physical, no contest. Nothing beats buying a new game and opening it for the first time, then placing it next to all the others on your shelf.

There's something of a nostalgic feeling having the box art and disc. I enjoy the convenience of digital sometimes, but I prefer physical. I would assume PS4 game sizes will be considerably larger also and with only 500gb (which I'm almost out of on my super slim) it could quickly consume the hard drive, so again it has to be physical.

Well... Thanks for the info. Wishful thinking on my part then. So, I might as well keep my PS3 instead of trading it in towards a PS4.

@Beaston61:  I would if I were you.  The only hint that I have heard of BC with the PS4 is that they will be streaming PS2 and P23 games through their stream service Gaikai or however it spelled, but I am not sure when that will be available or even if they plan to go through with it since I have not heard anything about it since E3.

@Doctor_BK:  Yeah thats another reason I forgot to mention about physical games is the fact that I can trade them in towards a new game when I am done with them, or even if I dont like the game after I buy it.  For someone like me on a limited gaming budget thats good since I can't always afford the $60 for a new game and trades in help lower the price.  Also like I said a digital game is yours forever even if you dont like it you are stuck with it.

Thinking about it more, the reason Digital Content makes sense on the PC ;
• You can't borrow games to and from friends
• You can't buy PC games preowned
However, the fact that console games can be played completed and passed onto friends or traded-in changes everything. So, I have decided, Digital content on the PC cannot be compared to that of Consoles - as they are different, policy wise. Therefore, for now I shall support local shops and buy discs (and save money and all that jazz)

About trading in the PS3....
I'm still in the honeymoon period with my Playstation at the moment. I am shocked at how good the Exclusive PS games look. Last night I was playing the intro to Heavy Rain, and I was well impressed with the graphics (considering I am usually a PC gamer). I have so many hours of entertainment to extract from my PS at the moment ! I can't see me getting rid of it anytime soon

I prefer physical discs over digital content but my digital library has been growing with the help of PS Plus. It's nice to look over and see my game library. Also, just like @Beaston61 said PC and console gaming have different mindsets. There is not a history of people trading, borrowing, and renting PC games so its much easier for PC gamers to go the digital way. I do think that physical discs will go away during the next gen or by the end of it.

physical, I like shelf space and collecting

Physical for me hands down