PC games ought to come with backup copies of the data.
PC games ought to come with backup copies of the data.
Issue is library sharing on PC is really bad. With Steam, shared games can only be played by other family members if none of them are using the same games in their Steam library. So if my brother was playing a game in my library and I switched to another game, it would stop him. If we had physical copies instead, this wouldn't be an issue. He could just pick up the game from the shelf whenever he wants, as long as it's not the one I'm playing right now.
I still have a collection of many games on physical media. The only thing I REALLY miss about physical copies of games is game manuals. I used to love and re-read RPG manuals. Neverwinter Nights came with some cool manuals. I do think that there is room for maybe a specialised game storage device for installers or what-have-you...oh wait...my solution to this is an external HDD on which I put all my GOG installers. I don't think there's much room for CDs or disc based copies. What I would like to see instead is the gaming world release a 'final build' installer to those who have purchased copies. Once a game is 'complete' or development ceases, the devs should release the installer for those who own copies to be able to load said installers onto external media and back-up themselves. GOG allows downloading installers of their games and it's comforting to know that if GOG disappeared tomorrow, I have a physical back-up in the form of my external drive of all of those games. It's why I won't use any games as a service. It's just absolute nonsense. If I had my way, when online multiplayer games have development terminated, versions of the games would be available to buy/download for those who might want to run said games on their own private servers. Sadly the whole In App Purchasing business model of the modern game dev world preculdes much of this. Incidentally, it's also why disc based games disappeared.
They should, but they won’t, the main point of limiting download-only games (labeling them "digital" doesn’t make sense since CDs, DVDs, etc., are also digital) is to eliminate the resale market, which seems highly unlikely.