Most gamers prefer disks to downloads - what's your preference?

Physical media kthnxbi.

Only online purchase I've made so far are game addon packs in MMO's...but only when they're not available in hard copies.

I cherish my treasure chest collection of boxes a lot.
 
I prefer downloads. Steam does the trick for me.

If the game is the same price on Steam and in store I would probably end up buying the steam copy. Today I wanted to get Far Cry 1... costs R69.99 in the shop. Steam currently has it on special for ~$6.50 - I prefer rather getting the steam client version.. means I do not need to worry about losing the game, damaging the discs etc always entitled to just re-downloading it next week, next month next decade.

Online licences just make more sense.. ideally if I could have the box copy and allow access to the same content on steam thats ideal... thats what happened with Prey. Bought the in-game copy for R89.99 and Steam allows you to insert the cd-key from the retail box and marry it to your steam account. That in my opinion is perfect.
 
That's exactly what I don't like about it ... the whole download story.

How many games these days are less than 4GB? When my PC crashes I don't want to have to pull all that again.
 
Love my game collection I have. I am not sold on that whole download story.
 
I just download them from pirate bay,lol no im just kidding XD

I prefer to go and buy the game,because downloading a 12Gig game is nightmare if u dont have uncapped :'(
and there are a few gamers who dont have internet..
 
I'm a Fan of Physical Media, eventhough the boxes just gather dust on the shelves. To me it feels like more of an investment than something bought and downloaded online. Placebo I know.
 
I enjoy having a digital copy over buying the game in fact I paid R50 more to buy the digital version of bad Company 2 instead of buying it in store.

The reason is simple,I can load up the game where ever I want no matter where I am and I don't have to worry about disk's gettings scratched or losing the keys.

Another great thing about it is me:"hey dude I just played bad company 2 its awesome" Friend:"awesome can I borrow it(eg scratch the living hell out of it)" Me: sorry man I baught the steam version.

Also you some times get some really good deals,Like 2 days ago I got portal for only R14! I love steam :)
 
Not too sure as I'm a console gamer but unless games over Steam are AT LEAST 25% cheaper than the disc copies I don't really see the attraction. Surely things like box art, case, printing, distribution, store display, etc. form a part of the game price? If so surely over digital distribution that should mean it will be significantly cheaper? Especially since you have to use your bandwidth to download the game anyway.
 
Also with the steam version of Bad Company 2 I have never had a problem updating the game.
 
Voicy said:
That's exactly what I don't like about it ... the whole download story.

How many games these days are less than 4GB? When my PC crashes I don't want to have to pull all that again.
Click to expand...

Steam does allow you to create backups to burn to multiple dvd's or copy to external medium. I have key games backed up to a media centre pc.
 
Used to prefer disc's but have changed my mind in the last year. Mainly for two reasons.

1. Uncapped finally arrived and that makes steam/other digital distributors pricing in line with the full cost of retail games, retail being slightly cheaper. Before it was too expensive due to bandwith costs.

2. The shipping delays at the retail level for games coming to SA has upset me too much, I can handle the odd delay but there is no excuse that I will accept of my last 3 orders being delayed due to shipping/logistics. Don't have those issues with the digital distro's.

So for me unless its a special edition I am going digital.

Another plus is the special, the local retails can not match the amount of specials steam have during the year.

Then you also have the convenience of just sitting at home, logging on, using the cc and downloading.
 
Voicy said:
That's exactly what I don't like about it ... the whole download story.

How many games these days are less than 4GB? When my PC crashes I don't want to have to pull all that again.
Click to expand...
You make it sound worse than it is. The downloaded content is seriously portable, so you can build up a download dir and just make a backup every couple of months. Or just grab it from a friends (its all interchangeable). Just got like 30gb from a friend. Couple of only updates & I've got ~8 games fully up to date.

Oh, and steam specials pwn absolutely everything: e.g. Got SupCom2 for R60. Retails for R700 at Look&Listen.:)
 
I love Steam.

1. Backup for life (of Steam)
2. No need to download 4gb of patches when I decide to play an old game again, Steam kept it up to date.
3. Steam specials pwn.
4. Takes up less space on my shelves.
5. Steam community interface/voice chat etc. is great when GFWL and other PC services suck.
 
I prefer disks because of the sentimentality, even though it is cheaper and more convenient to just download games. There's something special about holding an amazing game in your hands. It's also easier to spread the love to other friends I guess. I also tend to rent out games pretty often as well so I guess I wouldn't be able to do that if games were only downloadable.
 
Stefan9 said:
Used to prefer disc's but have changed my mind in the last year. Mainly for two reasons.

1. Uncapped finally arrived and that makes steam/other digital distributors pricing in line with the full cost of retail games, retail being slightly cheaper. Before it was too expensive due to bandwith costs.

2. The shipping delays at the retail level for games coming to SA has upset me too much, I can handle the odd delay but there is no excuse that I will accept of my last 3 orders being delayed due to shipping/logistics. Don't have those issues with the digital distro's.

So for me unless its a special edition I am going digital.

Another plus is the special, the local retails can not match the amount of specials steam have during the year.

Then you also have the convenience of just sitting at home, logging on, using the cc and downloading.
Click to expand...

Yeah pretty much in the same boat here, thanks to wage freezone don't have a capped problem any longer.
 
I have become so attached to Steam its not even funny. I seem to only buy games off there, especially with the recent special, I also have the WAGE Steam server at my disposal, so its a blast, no need for uncapped.

But having the box, like Plassie said, it makes you feel like you bought something physically. But I guess it comes down to pure value, the box and spend up to R150 more or no box and fairly cheap.
 
I simply refuse to pay for a download. If you want my money, you give me something physical that I can see, hold, lick, make love to, etc.
 
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