A question that has been asked time and time again, should you purchase physical games or digital games?
This is a question that console gamers have particularly had a hard time with in-comparison to their PC counterparts because digital games for the PC have simply been around longer. Sure, PC gamers could buy the odd physical game at their local retail outlet, but with such distribution services such as Steam, and Origin, why bother? Steam is known for its impressive discounts and annual sales, and Origin is a super easy alternative for specific EA games. So if you’re reading this article, chances are you are a console gamer and like myself you have asked this question many times, especially since the rise of the next-generation of consoles.
Both next-gen consoles feature a 500 GB hardrive and in the most recent Xbox One update you are even able to add an external hardrive to your system. However, I am not here to talk about specs of these systems by any means.
Physical Games
If you are a relatively hardcore gamer you may own a large sum of games and it does take up shelf room. This could potentially be a pro and a con for physical games, many people enjoy being able to show off their vast amounts of games. Others simply like physical games because it feels like that they actually got something physical for their money, as opposed to a simple digital download. However, when it comes down to it, every time you turn on your system you will have to get up, get the game, put whatever game you desire to play in the system (assuming it wasn’t already in the system), and sit back down. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t hard by any means, however it is more about convenience in comparison to just how easy digital games are.
+ Great for collectors
+ Box art is usually pretty awesome
+ You get something physical for your money
Digital Games
Digital games are awesome for convenience. You boot up your system, click the game you want to play and BAM! You’re playing it. Another great aspect is that you don’t have to go to a retail outlet to buy the game, simply click on the game you want and download it, it’s that simple. The negatives to owning digital games are that you miss out on potentially great box art, if you like showing off you’re game collection you will have to find another way of doing so, and that you don’t get anything physical for your purchase. PC gamers are accustomed to digital games, and their is no doubt that eventually digital games will be the only type of games available to purchase.
+ The ultimate convenience
+ The future of gaming
+ Skip the trip to the store
Physical games are slowly going to become a thing of the past. For as great as the box art is, ultimately games are headed in the direction that the PC gamers are now accustomed too, it is only a matter of time before console gamers will be forced to take this step.
– Personally I prefer physical games, and I intend to keep purchasing them for as long as possible. I enjoy looking over at my shelf and remembering how awesome certain games were. Nostalgia for me trumps convenience.
Thanks for reading, I’m Steve Winterburn.
@steveTwinter