Console Digital Only Sales increased 70% year over year. How do you feel about that?
- Thread starter lowhighkang_LHK
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I almost always buy physical, and it's not gonna change until they lower the prices for digital A LOT*. A newly released game on psn costs up to 69.90, and 90% of times i can find it cheaper on Amazon... And if the game somehow disappoints me, i can just resell it for a small loss.
*or until digital is the only way to buy a game T_T
*or until digital is the only way to buy a game T_T
nekkid
It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is our plan.
I think it's only a matter of time, to be honest.
jetsetnickradio
Member
Not every game installs while you play. As for the ones that do, they'll install as you play if you have the digital version as well. Doesn't really make a difference if your game is physical or digital in that regard (unless you have really slow download speeds.)
A nice idealistic viewpoint there, but that 70% cut from selling digitally is too high to ignore for publishers unfortunately.
It's funny seeing some pubs like Konami and EA pushing their new games at damn near 60 quid, the greed is just too much.
YianGaruga
Banned
If people want to pay more for less, that's their choice
But I don't support it
But I don't support it
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
I love physical games and buy them whenever possible.
And yet, I have no problem that they will eventually disappear. Some part of me welcomes the relief from the chase of scarce physical goods.
And if anything, there have been too many digital game sales to keep up with.
The one downside to digital games is de-listed games. Hate that.
And yet, I have no problem that they will eventually disappear. Some part of me welcomes the relief from the chase of scarce physical goods.
And if anything, there have been too many digital game sales to keep up with.
The one downside to digital games is de-listed games. Hate that.
I completely changed my buying habits this gen from 5% digital to 95% digital, since prices at UK retail have increased a lot for any European while Canada/US digital stores made it much cheaper (and of course 3 days earlier) to buy any game.
The problem with a digital only future is that you will not have competition in the market. If that happens we are stuck with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo (and 3rd party publishers) setting the prices on as they want on their digital stores. And when monopoly happens, consumers always lose. As part of the problem, my fear is that I'm sacrificing the future for some savings right now.
Also the fear of what will happen when they stop access to their digital storefronts. I hope Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are not dumb enough to ever stop access to bought digital games on previous gen consoles...
The problem with a digital only future is that you will not have competition in the market. If that happens we are stuck with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo (and 3rd party publishers) setting the prices on as they want on their digital stores. And when monopoly happens, consumers always lose. As part of the problem, my fear is that I'm sacrificing the future for some savings right now.
Also the fear of what will happen when they stop access to their digital storefronts. I hope Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are not dumb enough to ever stop access to bought digital games on previous gen consoles...
Makoto-Yuki
Banned
the only thing i don't like about digital sales on console is the price and lack of returns. £55-60 for a new game is ridiculous when I can get it for about £40-45 physical. I would love a return/refund system kind of like how Steam works. You get 2 hours gameplay / 14 days in which you can return it.
I went all digital on PS4 but now I regret it. The PS4's internet is terrible. I'm lucky to get 10 down/5up on it when I pay for 75 down/5up. My XB1 which sits right beside my PS4 has no problem with getting 75 down/5 up. If they want us to buy their over priced games then at least make it easy to download them.
I only own a small amount of physical games (halo mcc/5, forza h2, mgs:v, disney infinity 3.0) but i really hope physical games stick around. there are a lot of games that if i know i'm not gonna be playing a lot or if i'm not sure i'll like it then i'll get it physically so i can easily sell/trade it in.
I went all digital on PS4 but now I regret it. The PS4's internet is terrible. I'm lucky to get 10 down/5up on it when I pay for 75 down/5up. My XB1 which sits right beside my PS4 has no problem with getting 75 down/5 up. If they want us to buy their over priced games then at least make it easy to download them.
I only own a small amount of physical games (halo mcc/5, forza h2, mgs:v, disney infinity 3.0) but i really hope physical games stick around. there are a lot of games that if i know i'm not gonna be playing a lot or if i'm not sure i'll like it then i'll get it physically so i can easily sell/trade it in.
I strongly prefer physical media because of the many advantages already described in this thread. Unfortunately, many games now require activiation trough Steamworks, which greatly diminishes my sense of ownership when compared to disc-based installers and product keys.
I'm willing to slowly transition to a digital collection, but the idea of one all-encompassing distribution system scares me. I hope to see GOG gaing a lot of traction in 2016.
I'm willing to slowly transition to a digital collection, but the idea of one all-encompassing distribution system scares me. I hope to see GOG gaing a lot of traction in 2016.
Tevious
Member
Ugh, I hate ignorant comments like this. You don't pay more for digital. You pay MSRP, just like retail. Both digital and retail have sales (admittedly, retail is faster). Best Buy's 20% GCU discount (or now Amazon's 20%) you say? I'm 100% digital and I've payed GCU-level prices or better for new release game preorders for the last 2-3 years by taking advantage of discounted store cards and PSN's "Spend X Get Y" type deals; and I didn't even pay a $30 membership to get said deals.
Chû Totoro
Member
So it's digital only sales that increased or games that tend to be sold more digitally when both physical and digital options are available?
Sorry I'm not sure I understand properly, I've read the article but for me a lot of people are talking about the later (physical vs. digital) when I understand the 70% to be about digital only games.
It's not the same. If the digital only games offer grew and since people are comfortable with digital now there's no reason for this specific way to distribute games not to take off, more importantly when a lot of games are digital only now. So yeah digital is bigger each year... for almost every market !
Good article and interesting topic but more data is needed to have the whole picture.
Edit: my opinion is that digital is awesome for distributing smaller games since they can now be digital only and know they will still be capable to address all the user base (online is mandatory). Now when both option are available (physical and digital) physical is often cheaper (by ordering on the web lol) so here is why I don't buy everything digital (also HDD space, resell or lend... and other inconvenient things even if could be compensated by a big cut in the price).
Sorry I'm not sure I understand properly, I've read the article but for me a lot of people are talking about the later (physical vs. digital) when I understand the 70% to be about digital only games.
It's not the same. If the digital only games offer grew and since people are comfortable with digital now there's no reason for this specific way to distribute games not to take off, more importantly when a lot of games are digital only now. So yeah digital is bigger each year... for almost every market !
Good article and interesting topic but more data is needed to have the whole picture.
- evolution of number of games available digitally only
- same for digital & physical
- same for physical only
- average price for each
- etc.
Edit: my opinion is that digital is awesome for distributing smaller games since they can now be digital only and know they will still be capable to address all the user base (online is mandatory). Now when both option are available (physical and digital) physical is often cheaper (by ordering on the web lol) so here is why I don't buy everything digital (also HDD space, resell or lend... and other inconvenient things even if could be compensated by a big cut in the price).
Rhazer Fusion
Member
Same here. I do own some digital games and like digital, but I will always prefer physical. I think both can coexist like it does now. Also, most digital games prices are still a joke excluding Steam sales and a few PSN/XBoxLive sales.
brokenbeans
Banned
I'm not far off 100% digital the prices on some games are a little high and even in sales being in the UK certain conversion rates are ridiculous.
Acquiescence
Member
This. No resale value either. No way I'm spending anything upward of £20 on a digital game that I might not even like. I'm glad digital sales on consoles are increasing, but I'm still a physical kinda guy.
Out_Of_Ammo
Member
I only buy digital when a game is heavily discounted. No way I'm paying those insane digital prices when I can find a physical copy for 10-20 cheaper on launch...
dragonyeuw
Member
I prefer physical, but I can be tempted by the right price. Right now for example, PS4 Tomb Raider DE is on sale for 7.50, which I like enough to double dip as I have the steam version. At that price I dont have to worry about resale value as its basically pocket change, nor trade-in value which is practically non-existent nowadays.
Fox Mulder
Member
I was pro physical, but went all digital this gen.
I'm still pro bluray for movies because streaming digital copies on netflix or other services are lower quality.
I'm still pro bluray for movies because streaming digital copies on netflix or other services are lower quality.
AppleSeason
Member
I don't like the idea of digital despite having embraced it, but let's face it:
- Having to swap discs is a major pain, and I'm always scared of the drive breaking. The last physical games I bought for PC that forced me to keep the disc on (even if I still had to authenticate with GFW) ended having a no-cd patch applied
- A physical game was a thing when the game would work on its own from the moment you put it on the console. Nowadays it means nothing as you will still need to connect to the net and download a truckloadof patches
- The incomplete state in which games are released nowadays makes it necessary for them to be integrated with some sort of client which will manage the whole patching process. I had enough issues with Sacred 2 and having to download patches from an official website that may not even be available anymore.
- Price is always the final factor in deciding if physical or digital, and you know what's going to happen. Cheap physical games have never existed here. Not even second hand stores sell them cheap, and the overall hygiene and disc care in this country is enough to make you consider going digital: Cheaper and germ free.
- Physical was cool when games had their own personality: Well written manuals, lots of cards, goodies... Nowadays it's the same generic case and insert for everything, with not even a manual most of the time. I don't get the same satisfaction looking at the row of PS3/4 cases (much less the boring PS2 pal spines) than at the one holding my Snes ang N64 games.
- Having to swap discs is a major pain, and I'm always scared of the drive breaking. The last physical games I bought for PC that forced me to keep the disc on (even if I still had to authenticate with GFW) ended having a no-cd patch applied
- A physical game was a thing when the game would work on its own from the moment you put it on the console. Nowadays it means nothing as you will still need to connect to the net and download a truckloadof patches
- The incomplete state in which games are released nowadays makes it necessary for them to be integrated with some sort of client which will manage the whole patching process. I had enough issues with Sacred 2 and having to download patches from an official website that may not even be available anymore.
- Price is always the final factor in deciding if physical or digital, and you know what's going to happen. Cheap physical games have never existed here. Not even second hand stores sell them cheap, and the overall hygiene and disc care in this country is enough to make you consider going digital: Cheaper and germ free.
- Physical was cool when games had their own personality: Well written manuals, lots of cards, goodies... Nowadays it's the same generic case and insert for everything, with not even a manual most of the time. I don't get the same satisfaction looking at the row of PS3/4 cases (much less the boring PS2 pal spines) than at the one holding my Snes ang N64 games.
Calm Killer
In all media, only true fans who consume every book, film, game, or pog collection deserve to know what's going on.
I buy only digital now. If something is on sale at Best Buy or Walmart. I look for a digital copy. Otherwise its a no go for me.
On console due to one reason - control of the market.
I very rarely buy games digitally - i am a console owner, I realise steam is a different thing here - as it is always more expensive. Example - I just bought Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 on a sale from Game for £24.99 + free delivery. On the PS4 store its £59.99.
If you can only buy games on the digital store why would the game so any cheaper? If its your only choice they have no reason to be competitive. At least on PC there are other digital outlets but consoles will always be tied down to the one.
It will go all digital i'm sure but I don't like it - given that new games are generally £59.99 on launch and £39.99 on amazon I'm looking to lose £20 on each purchase and be at the whim of the publishers. Who haven't got the best of track records, now, do they?
I very rarely buy games digitally - i am a console owner, I realise steam is a different thing here - as it is always more expensive. Example - I just bought Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 on a sale from Game for £24.99 + free delivery. On the PS4 store its £59.99.
If you can only buy games on the digital store why would the game so any cheaper? If its your only choice they have no reason to be competitive. At least on PC there are other digital outlets but consoles will always be tied down to the one.
It will go all digital i'm sure but I don't like it - given that new games are generally £59.99 on launch and £39.99 on amazon I'm looking to lose £20 on each purchase and be at the whim of the publishers. Who haven't got the best of track records, now, do they?
It's been mostly digital for me, because physical games cost an arm and a leg where I live. PSN Sales finally offer some serious discounts on a lot of great games every once in a while so that definitely helps, although paying full price por a physical game in the US would be equivalent to paying AR$840. Paying it full price in Argentina is $1600 and still climbing, so it's ridiculous to do so.
I traveled to NY in 2015, and I bought a crapton of physical games because I really, really prefer them over digital. I love having something to look at on a bookshelf.
But yeah, I'm also part of that 70%.
I traveled to NY in 2015, and I bought a crapton of physical games because I really, really prefer them over digital. I love having something to look at on a bookshelf.
But yeah, I'm also part of that 70%.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Digital is more expensive then physical on consoles. That's not ignorance, that's fact.
Buying multiple Digital store cards at a discount has allowed you to save a few dollars, but the few meager sales on digital don't compare in any way shape or form to the many physical sales offered weekly, across retailers. There's no comparison.
Linkstrikesback
Member
Maybe eventually. Not any time soon though. It's not much of an exaggeration to say Microsoft's attempt to go what was essentially digital only pretty much cost the gen on them, which will delay it a long time.
It depends where you are. Here in the UK we have no such thing as a Best Buy GCU, and Amazon don't offer their 20% Prime bonus. Yet digital games are £15-20 more expensive than retail and you can't trade them in or resell afterwards
Exactly this. I'll be more open to digital when prices and functionality are adjusted accordingly, but until then I'll go retail when possible.
Transistor
Banned
I have both physical and digital, but I don't mind if the future is only digital
I'm digital only and it is great. The convenience of having everything available without swapping disks is worth it. Plus, I don't have to make shelf space for discs, which is nice. What I'd like to see now is better price parity between digital and retail (heck, digital should be cheaper) and I'd like to see more subscription services like EA Access available.
Audioboxer
Member
Choice is great, and it should stay that way.
Considering consoles are closed platforms and have no digital storefront competition, physical releases give us that competition and keep stupid pricing in-check.
I think most people appreciate a mixed library, some digital, some physical. Many releases won't even get a physical copy.
Considering consoles are closed platforms and have no digital storefront competition, physical releases give us that competition and keep stupid pricing in-check.
I think most people appreciate a mixed library, some digital, some physical. Many releases won't even get a physical copy.
Melchiah
Member
That's what's wrong with it, in my opinion. They get bigger profits, whereas we have no guarantee of being able to download the games in the future, can't sell/trade/lend them, and the most glaring flaw for me, we don't get similar bonuses, like soundtracks and concept art, as we do with physical products. As long as the latter isn't corrected, I'll rather buy a physical version.
EDIT: Not to mention, that in Europe the digital prices are usually higher than in the retail, which is just the opposite of how it should be, considering they get a larger percentage of revenue.
Digital game selling will never happen. Gifting/lending definitely should be implemented, but it needs restriction.
Melchiah
Member
That's the least important of those to me, as I don't sell my games away.
It is for me. I'm 100% digital this gen (just 3DS/Wii U + PC) and it's worth the convenience. I don't resell games, and I never went out of my way to find deals on retail games anyways, so there hasn't been much of a change of cost for me.
olitheoblong
Neo Member
By the looks of things alot of people tend to go mostly digital or mostly physical, my collection is about 50/50 this gen. Im curious too see how many VR only games go to retail on PSVR.
Fox Mulder
Member
I mostly buy games that really interest me on day one, like Forza or Fallout 4, so it doesnt matter much in the price difference. Then I buy stuff on steep sale, like tomb raider is $7 or something on psn right now. Maybe it's been cheaper physically somewhere, but that seems pretty good to me.
Darkstorne
Member
But look at the cost of games over time. SNES games cost between $50-60 in 1991, which adjusted for inflation is $87-104 today. We now pay significantly less for games than we used to, despite the fact that the cost of development has risen insanely high. It's why bigger budget games need to sell multiple millions of copies to remain profitable now, leading to mid-budget developers and publishers exiting the industry, and a noticeable lack of risk-taking with new IP. Higher profit margins for developers and publishers from digital sales is exactly the solution we need, since consumers don't have to face a price increase for the same end result.
So I wrote an article for Polygon about the environmental benefits of buying digitally over physically, and I did a bit of research into the PT removal issue:
Note this is an EU law though. As far as I'm aware the US doesn't have an equivalent, but I haven't been keeping an eye on that since writing the article last year (UK resident).
I also think it's bizarre to assume digital will replace physical. Physical Collector's Editions will always exist for obvious reasons, and there will always be a market for physical standard copies of games in supermarkets (in the UK at least). Dedicated game stores might well fade away soon, but any store that caters to a wide range of consumer markets will sell games. Same way digital books and music haven't, and will never, replace physical equivalents. Digital will take market share from physical, but if you love the idea of buying physical forever you've got nothing to worry about.
I really dont care. Neither offer significant enough benefits for me to be attached to either one. I'd be more excited about digital only if the pricing wasnt so out of whack. I imagine a console designed around digital only could potentially lead to console makers designing console that allow for better hard drive throughput so that something to look forward to I guess.
It is slightly bothersome that gaming is the one holdout though. I've converted to digital with movies and music and can access my entire library anywhere, anytime. If I could one day "PS Now" any game I own I would happily drive the knife into physical myself.
It is slightly bothersome that gaming is the one holdout though. I've converted to digital with movies and music and can access my entire library anywhere, anytime. If I could one day "PS Now" any game I own I would happily drive the knife into physical myself.
AnthonypUK
Member
Ugh i hate ignorant comments like this.....
Amazon.co.uk UK - Fifa 16 - £33
PSN UK Store - £54.99
xbox one Store - £54.99
Please, tell me how " You don't pay more for digital."
This is my thought too. On consoles I'm really hesitant to get any game digitally, however on PC its no problem (not like I have a choice really).
SomethingInTheSea
Member
In the UK at least digital games can be as much as £20 more expensive brand new than the equivalent physical product in a shop, until this changes I'm staying mostly physical. You'd need to have money to burn to waste that amount regularly buying games brand new digitally.
Also, Nintendo really needs to get a proper account system before I'm comfortable buying too many digital releases on their side. They again also suffer massively from pricing at MSRP when the rest of the market ignores it.
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