Poll of the Day > Why do console gamers still prefer physical media?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Takes up a lot of space and I don't know if there are many positives.
I've bought maybe 5 physical games since 2010.

Cause people have preferences

I don't really give a shit nowadays

Though I get digital, I have found the biggest issue is most console digitals stores are poorly optimized and run like shit.

I can still play my Super Metroid cartridge from 29 years ago. How long do servers stay up? How long do eshops last?

I can make a fair use backup of the original media. How well does that work with digital purchases?

There are PC games I bought digitally 13 years ago that I can still download to this day. Even games that have been delisted are still available for download even if you can't buy them anymore. Can the same be said for digital Wii, PS3, or 360 games that were bought back then?

...actually that is a legitimate question, I haven't tried.

SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

I can make a fair use backup of the original media. How well does that work with digital purchases?

Same way actually, modding

Also, I think the amount of games I've lost physically is closer to 100%, and the amount of games I've lost digitally is actually 0

But yeah the cartridges are cool, they have a vibe.

For Switch, physical games save storage space since they don't have to be installed. That's not really the case with other systems.

A lot of people want to have a future proof copy of their games for when (because they're definitely not going to last forever) the servers eventually go down. The problem with that is that these days the 1.0 release of many games are unfinished or just buggy and need of patches.

Personally I see that last point as a benefit in its own way. I enjoy finding and exploiting glitches in games, and by buying physical games I can stay on a glitchy 1.0 version of a game as long as I want.

Why do you think console gamers prefer physical games?

SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

I can make a fair use backup of the original media.

You can't, actually. That is a myth.

Dikitain posted...

There are PC games I bought digitally 13 years ago that I can still download to this day. Even games that have been delisted are still available for download even if you can't buy them anymore. Can the same be said for digital Wii, PS3, or 360 games that were bought back then?

...actually that is a legitimate question, I haven't tried.

I actually don't know about the Nintendo systems but the PS3 is still getting firmware updates as of this year which is pretty impressive for an almost 20 year old console.

VampireCoyote posted...

Why do you think console gamers prefer physical games?

A post I made on another board today.

Gotta go physical.

Judgmenl posted...

the PS3

an almost 20 year old console.

well shit

They have no Steam-type distribution platforms to change their mind.

Yellow posted...

Same way actually, modding

I have a Retorode 2. PS1 and PS2 games can be read in any PC DVD drive. So no modding involved.

Zareth posted...

You can't, actually. That is a myth.

Some disclaimers. I tried to google for that but for some reason the results are talking about selling a backup copy which is not what I searched for. So getting relevant results is hard.

Also none of the results site a passage from the law to verify what they say about it. So if I'm wrong it's because the law had been interpreted for me rather than making the law available to me.

So here's the top result...
https://legalbeagle.com/12719016-copyright-law-making-personal-copies.html

Within copyright law there is a doctrine of law known as fair use.
...the doctrine provides a defense to copyright infringement.

Copyright law permits you to make one copy of your computer software for the purpose of archiving the software in case it is damaged or lost. In order to make a copy, you must own a valid copy of the software

In addition to making a backup copy of software, it is legal to make a backup copy of a CD or DVD so that you can continue to enjoy the copyrighted material if your original copy fails.

I like looking at the box, wish they still had guides inside

I prefer digital games but I still buy disc consoles so long as people still keep selling boxes of games on FB Marketplace for $10.

Mostly a PC person tho that doesn't have a disc drive.

some ppl see "owning lots of crap" as an IRL achievement and it's easier to visualize physical collections

they dont

your point would have done validity but sony literally released a digital only version of the ps5

Physical media won't get delisted for you

I like physical in case I want to trade it in or let a friend borrow it. I keep a rather curated collection and don't keep what I think I won't play again, so it doesn't take up more than a shelf or two. Also as people age they may tend to get stuck in their ways more. Its just how I've always had my games and digital hasn't offered enough of an incentive for me to change.

I like physical media when it comes to games as not only do I like my "collection" but I also can sell a game, lend a game, trade a game and even smell a brand new game when I open it. Digital media doesn't offer that for me.

I feel it's more solid. Digital information and items are easily lost.

the people who are physical only are pretty much laughed at these days because it's stupider than ever to desire a disc.

all you're doing is getting a digital version of the game in a way that requires more steps

SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

I have a Retorode 2. PS1 and PS2 games can be read in any PC DVD drive. So no modding involved.

Those are literally all examples of consoles where digital copies did not exist. If you're going to dump Gamecube and higher, you need to mod 90% of the time, and dumping digital games is the same exact process. Best way to read a Wii U game is with a Wii U. There's always going to be an option to dump digital games the same way.

-it offers more retail options. Most of the physical games I have are because it was cheaper somewhere other than the Xbox Store.

-it offers the option to buy and sell used games

-it offers the option to play unpatched

-if/when the associated online stores close down you still have your games

-there are still people out there without modern high-speed internet, or running tight data caps.

I love physical copies you usually can see them cheaper faster I see this trend with digital where you can see an old game they forgot about for like 30-60 dollars but you can get a physical copy for about 20 or less the only time digital is good is if the physical copy is rare or arcade style like game

I hate digital in a way that causes an imaginary inflation for physical games once they take off a digital game the physical prices sky rocket for that game

ConfusedTorchic posted...

the people who are physical only are pretty much laughed at these days because it's stupider than ever to desire a disc.

all you're doing is getting a digital version of the game in a way that requires more steps

Nope. All the reasons to own physical are very much valid. My internet sucks so I'd rather buy physical, install the game and updates than wait ages to download a game and updates. Much more practical for me. Also many times I see physical games on sale or a lot cheaper than the PSN storefront so that's a bonus too.

Yellow posted...

Those are literally all examples of consoles where digital copies did not exist. If you're going to dump Gamecube and higher, you need to mod 90% of the time, and dumping digital games is the same exact process. Best way to read a Wii U game is with a Wii U. There's always going to be an option to dump digital games the same way.

For GameCube there's adapters to access SD cards and you can just buy a disc with homebrew software to utilize them.
I believe for Wii and WiiU you don't need to physically alter the device. I guess installing software is technically modding. But I don't know if you can still access the digital store to get new games after you do that. With a physical copy that's not something to worry about.

Oh yeah, I meant software. Maybe modding isn't the right word. But yeah you can dump digital games.

It's nice to be able to only buy one game and I can let my brother play it on his console when I'm finished.

I buy mostly physical on Switch since that means I can resell the games. I've still been veering digital on my last few purchases for mere convenience.

For me, it's about archiveability. I hate the idea that a game can simply disappear and become unplayable after X number of years because it got delisted from an online store (or that store simply ceased to exist, as routinely happens to old consoles once they stop being supported by their parent companies). I have an easier time buying and playing NES games from the 80s than some digital-only games that were released less than 10 years ago thanks to this bullshit.

keyblader1985 posted...

For Switch, physical games save storage space since they don't have to be installed. That's not really the case with other systems.

This is my main reason for switch

hungrymike posted...

let a friend borrow it.

This is another. Some friends and I will borrow games from each other. Same with my siblings and cousins

After seeing what Nintendo did with their Wii (U) and 3DS eShops, it makes me want to buy certain games of theirs physical. I still buy a lot of digital games though, I'm less concerned about it with Sony (plus unlike Switch it's not of much use anyway since you have to install regardless). Sometimes physical can be cheaper too, particularly if it's a more recent game around times like black Friday.

Statistically speaking, I think I saw something once that digital has grown to be the vast majority of new game purchases, so the premise of this topic isn't really even accurate

De1eted posted...

Statistically speaking, I think I saw something once that digital has grown to be the vast majority of new game purchases, so the premise of this topic isn't really even accurate

It depends. I like physical games, but some games are only sold digital. So, even though I like physical more, I have probably have more digital games for switch So, some others could be in the same boat as me

There are so so many reasons, but the most blatantly obvious one is that your digital collection is worth roughly the price of the console it's on. A physical collection will maintain most of its value, or even increase in value if you own mostly Nintendo titles.

The only reason to go digital is if you're willing to forfeit the value of your purchase in exchange for temporary convenience. To me that's not a great deal.

VideoboysaysCube posted...

A physical collection will maintain most of its value, or even increase in value if you own mostly Nintendo titles.

false

:)

a physical item only has value if a person is purchasing it. otherwise it has a value of 0.

given that a digital item, in most cases, cannot be sold, that means it is invaluable, which is more valuable than 0.

Judgmenl posted...

Takes up a lot of space and I don't know if there are many positives.

Because digital takes up a lot of space and I don't know if there are many positives.

Judgmenl posted...

Takes up a lot of space and I don't know if there are many positives.
I've bought maybe 5 physical games since 2010.

Once the console is obsolete and the online store is down you can still play physical games. Digital only if you never deleted them to make room for something else

Judgmenl posted...

Takes up a lot of space and I don't know if there are many positives.
I've bought maybe 5 physical games since 2010.

I dont support digital garb.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/5/3/1/AAZbq1AAEYZz.jpg

zebatov posted...

I dont support digital garb.

That is just a ridiculous waste of space that needs to be constantly dusted.

Judgmenl posted...

That is just a ridiculous waste of space that needs to be constantly dusted.

Keep buying digital then. It's your choice. You don't need validation. I purchase physical only. I don't need to explain why to anyone.

zebatov posted...

I dont support digital garb.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/5/3/1/AAZbq1AAEYZz.jpg

Sweet collection. That 360 selection is redonk. Why is that earth bound box so big?

hungrymike posted...

Sweet collection. That 360 selection is redonk. Why is that earth bound box so big?

Its because it came with a full game guide iirc

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/7/8/AATN9XAAEYle.jpg

also since some people seem to be posting pics, heres my modern collection (360-Current). I have a shelf of handheld games on the other side of my living room and the classic stuff is in the bedroom.

Shananagainz posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/7/8/AATN9XAAEYle.jpg

also since some people seem to be posting pics, heres my modern collection (360-Current). I have a shelf of handheld games on the other side of my living room and the classic stuff is in the bedroom.

I'm digging those organizational skills. There is a lot there yet somehow manages to not look cluttered.

hungrymike posted...

I'm digging those organizational skills. There is a lot there yet somehow manages to not look cluttered.

Much appreciated! Ive iterated on my displays and shelves a lot but I realized that theres a certain point where putting everyone all in one area isnt practical. So I had to make a decision to make the split into three smaller groups that I mentioned. This is the result of many moves and many ways of trying to sort stuff.