Printed editions of computer games.
Printed editions of computer games.
The question is, why has the industry not followed console practices by offering physical versions of PC games?
My personal computer has lacked a DVD/Blu-Ray drive for more than a decade. The newest Call of Duty title is 152GB in size; this equates to approximately 8 discs. I typically prefer downloading games for both Xbox and PC platforms. Furthermore, reducing the production of physical discs is environmentally beneficial, as discarded media often ends up in landfills.
That is a valid point. I will concede that I frequently add a DVD writer to my computers due to my fondness for legacy software (and it’s inexpensive – around £20). However, most contemporary machines no longer include these drives. Many games now offer a physical boxed edition as a collectible item.
Due to internet package restrictions, I cannot download games exceeding 50 GB because adding updates, patches, and fixes would exceed my monthly data quota. Large games consume significant storage space on both PC and console due to installation files and the game itself, creating a problem for storing other data – particularly on consoles where external HDDs are expensive. I am willing to pay extra for a physical standard copy, but finding these copies is difficult in India; console versions of games like COD MW (2019), SoTR, TR, Control and Metro Exodus are commonly available, while physical copies of PC versions are scarce in India.
Physical sales have decreased to approximately 15% in 2018, down from over 50% in 2009. Efforts to produce physical copies are detrimental to company charts and shareholder perceptions, with this trend anticipated to worsen. Eventually, a single file – the client executable – will be the sole representation of a game, stored entirely in the cloud and downloaded upon demand. This represents the future of gaming.
It is hoped that the cloud installation feature will be implemented in future updates. Providing an option to back up the installation file to external storage would be beneficial, reducing dependence on cloud services if the game is uninstalled and replayed later or across different machines.
They are seeking increased financial gain and authority. This is not a reversal of their intentions; it’s likely their ambition to relinquish all control over us. Disappointing, but accurate.