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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → To download or not
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To download or not
2006-03-24, 7:54 AM #1
I saw this in the local paper today, so I found it online for ya:

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/03/23/ap2617483.html

So, would you rather download your games (via purchase) or buy 'em in a box?

I think I would still want them in a box, just so I'd have them handy if something ever happened to my PC.
"Harriet, sweet Harriet - hard-hearted harbinger of haggis."
2006-03-24, 8:08 AM #2
Box.
the idiot is the person who follows the idiot and your not following me your insulting me your following the path of a idiot so that makes you the idiot - LC Tusken
2006-03-24, 8:46 AM #3
You do realize that your kids will look at you like you're nuts when you try to tell them that you used to go to the store to purchase a disc.

I say embrace the future so that you won't be the stereotypical technology dinosaur. :)
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2006-03-24, 8:49 AM #4
I'd go with the box. I don't like the idea of downloaded only things, plus wouldnt it slightly hinder sales if there's 13 year olds that want a game and their parents wont let them use their credit card?
nope.
2006-03-24, 9:18 AM #5
I like to have the box, manaual etc. I'd rather buy the box.
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2006-03-24, 9:23 AM #6
Originally posted by TheJkWhoSaysNi:
I like to have the box, manaual etc. I'd rather buy the box.


yeah, some of the fun of a good game is getting the manual with the backstory, character info and weapon info, sometimes history of the game world and hints and tips as well as the basic controls of the game so you don't have to go in and configure the controls just so you know whats what.

plus the boxart and the manual art is usually pretty cool to have.

buying online is ok I guess, but if you don't have a high speed connection your screwed over with that option.
The Gas Station
2006-03-24, 9:34 AM #7
There's no reason why the manual wouldn't come as a pdf or a link to a website.
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2006-03-24, 9:36 AM #8
Box. If I'm going to have copy protection on my games, it's going to be something easily crackable. Not only that, but a physical copy will likely keep much longer than a digital copy.
D E A T H
2006-03-24, 9:37 AM #9
Box, unless it's an expansion for a game.
2006-03-24, 9:48 AM #10
For some odd reason, I don't know the answer. I haven't purchased anything through download yet ), but then again I haven't had the option too. The exception is HL2, but I bought the boxed version of the Collector's Edtion off of Amazon. I think I would feel more secure with a physical copy, but it would be more convenient through online download. I'll wait to answer this question as more of the games are downloadable.
2006-03-24, 9:50 AM #11
HL2 is the only game I got on download, because buying a retail version was basically like wasting your money. Seriously, even the collector's edition JDKNITE bought was crap--it didn't come with HL:Source or DoD:Source. I got my version for 60 bucks that came with both.
D E A T H
2006-03-24, 9:52 AM #12
Download. The game will be cheaper. No need to pay for the box and disk and the cost to ship it to store. I get the game and that's it.
Code to the left of him, code to the right of him, code in front of him compil'd and thundered. Programm'd at with shot and $SHELL. Boldly he typed and well. Into the jaws of C. Into the mouth of PERL. Debug'd the 0x258.
2006-03-24, 9:53 AM #13
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it cheaper for game companies to sell their games online than it is to buy retail space and give retailers a slice of the money? There's that aspect to consider also guys. Price.

Edit: DAMN YOU JG.
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2006-03-24, 10:05 AM #14
Box. I just prefer the feeling of getting something for my money, and there's also the satisfaction of seeing that big row of DVD cases and enormous cardboard boxes. And one of the main joys of buying a new game for me has always been reading the manual on the train home :D
2006-03-24, 10:11 AM #15
[QUOTE=Dj Yoshi] Seriously, even the collector's edition JDKNITE bought was crap--it didn't come with HL:Source or DoD:Source. I got my version for 60 bucks that came with both.[/QUOTE]

I bought my collector's version during the summer of 2005 for $39.99 and it came with HL: Source, which is a worthless port but will be replaced by the upcoming awesome mod [URL=www.blackmesasource.com]Black Mesa: Source[/URL]. I wish it came with Dod:S, though.
2006-03-24, 10:23 AM #16
I've yet to see a game whose price is affected by the fact that it's download only. Though I have seen some that you normally wouldn't see in stores. Still, they usually suck.
D E A T H
2006-03-24, 10:26 AM #17
I'll download. Saves me the time of having to go to the store and find the game, and it saves me money.
Pissed Off?
2006-03-24, 10:28 AM #18
I'd rather have the box because it's always nice to know you can always re-install it if your computer ever gets broken
2006-03-24, 10:33 AM #19
As long as there is a download cliet/manager, or you have an account name and CD key, there should be no trouble redownloading the game.
Pissed Off?
2006-03-24, 10:39 AM #20
The biggest reason to go box is the simple matter that I have an off-line copy of the game that doesn't require an Internet connection to install.
the idiot is the person who follows the idiot and your not following me your insulting me your following the path of a idiot so that makes you the idiot - LC Tusken
2006-03-24, 10:46 AM #21
Originally posted by Avenger:
As long as there is a download cliet/manager, or you have an account name and CD key, there should be no trouble redownloading the game.

Until the company goes under.
D E A T H
2006-03-24, 10:47 AM #22
A few years down the road and it will be extremely rare to be a in a situation where you have access to a computer but not the internet.
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2006-03-24, 10:49 AM #23
Box, with possibility to download in case you lose the CDs.
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"N-No it's not!"

"Oh."
2006-03-24, 11:03 AM #24
[QUOTE=Dj Yoshi]Box. Not only that, but a physical copy will likely keep much longer than a digital copy.[/QUOTE]

Yeah. I feel more comfortable with a physical disc, rather than intangible data floating around in my machine. Plus, if you ever reformat or something, you'd lose the game. Unless you burn it, in which case you should've just bought the hard copy in the first place.
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."
2006-03-24, 11:19 AM #25
I liked the box to have the box and contents in my hands. Thats why I spent another 10 bucks and got Oblivion Collectors Edtion. The bonus stuff is neat and the box looks good on my shelf.
2006-03-24, 11:32 AM #26
Originally posted by Freelancer:
A few years down the road and it will be extremely rare to be a in a situation where you have access to a computer but not the internet.

Glad you can tell the future.
D E A T H
2006-03-24, 4:55 PM #27
[QUOTE=Dj Yoshi]Glad you can tell the future.[/QUOTE]
Uh, I'm pretty sure he's right. 10 years ago how many computers had internet? Not too many. Now nearly everyone has the internet.
2006-03-24, 5:12 PM #28
[QUOTE=Vincent Valentine]Uh, I'm pretty sure he's right. 10 years ago how many computers had internet? Not too many. Now nearly everyone has the internet.[/QUOTE]
I'm glad you have the ability to foresee the future as well.
D E A T H
2006-03-24, 5:18 PM #29
Most of your reasonings are pretty old-fashioned sounding to someone else. Honestly, none of your arguments are stable. They're just nitpicks and comfort issues. Old people that say "I don't like computers. I'd much rather just write it out!" are silly, but you guys sound just like them. I agree with Freelancer for a change.
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2006-03-24, 5:29 PM #30
Yosh, quit being an ***. No one's claiming to know the future. They're making predictions based on the current trends. You're just trying to start a fight.

Anyway, I'd rather purchase the game, then make an ISO, so as to avoid disc swapping. :)
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2006-03-24, 6:28 PM #31
My biggest worry would be the company going under, and having no way to get the game. But if games were downloaded in a format that could be burned I'd love it.

o.0
2006-03-24, 6:41 PM #32
Box, I have slow internet :gbk:

It sucks, I can't buy M rated games until I'm 18 (some stupid law or store rule), even though on the box it says 17+ (and I'm 17).

So I get my 21 year old cousin to buy them for me :)

^^^^ This reason is why I would go with download if I had blazing internet^^^^
"DON'T TASE ME BRO!" lol
2006-03-24, 6:51 PM #33
Download all the way. Saves me storage room for CD's, don't keep game boxes anymore, and it's more convenient for me
2006-03-24, 6:57 PM #34
Originally posted by JediKirby:
Honestly, none of your arguments are stable.


Does your internet connection stay up 24/7? What if the company's servers go down? What if you can't authenticate? What if you're on a laptop, out of range of wireless and available wired networks? What if you're on a network that blocks ports needed by that program?

These aren't "unstable arguments". We aren't afraid of the future. We're facing the facts that, as it stands, the internet is not as reliable of a medium as a physical disc is.
the idiot is the person who follows the idiot and your not following me your insulting me your following the path of a idiot so that makes you the idiot - LC Tusken
2006-03-24, 7:14 PM #35
I'm perfectly fine with downloads, just as long as the files are hosted by a third party that isn't going to go down. This isn't as important for the large companies, but the startups need to find a reliable distributor. I kind of like how Steam has started to become a viable distribution platform for games outside of the Half Life universe.
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Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
2006-03-24, 8:18 PM #36
Physical Copy, here's why:

You need a tangible manual so you have something to read in the toilet whilst the game is installing.

But I also like having a nice collection of dvd cases, I don't really care about the price of the boxed copy, it's worth it. If I need money i'll save up, it only takes a few hours of work to afford a game. In a similar light, I always buy the 2 disc editions for films even though I rarely (if ever) watch any of the special features.
Detty. Professional Expert.
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2006-03-24, 8:22 PM #37
Box. I prefer not to have to redownload my games after every reformat.

If you have a physical copy of a game you will be able to play it in the future. What happens if the company that made the game went out of business and your "paid" download link disappeared?
2006-03-24, 8:35 PM #38
Originally posted by Detty:
Physical Copy, here's why:

You need a tangible manual so you have something to read in the toilet whilst the game is installing.


You sir, are a mind reader.

Plus, I'm not interested in a ... I dunno... 3 Gig download or so. I don't have the fastest connection in the world, but it ain't slow either. I'd still be waiting quite awhile for it to download.
"Harriet, sweet Harriet - hard-hearted harbinger of haggis."
2006-03-25, 2:19 AM #39
Both. Stardock let me download GalCiv2 the day it was released and sent me a physical copy free of charge.
2006-03-25, 3:39 AM #40
Both.

Primarily box though.
Star Wars: TODOA | DXN - Deus Ex: Nihilum
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