Talk about whether to provide digital or physical copies of the games.
Talk about whether to provide digital or physical copies of the games.
For players interested in gaming, the main difference between a BD-ROM with game files and a DRM-free version on an external drive is minimal. As long as you retain ownership, the experience remains consistent—offering more freedom since it isn’t limited to one device. Keeping the provider active also means physical damage won’t be a problem. You can handle these titles in any way you prefer. On platforms like Steam, DRM restrictions can limit control, sometimes needing a server connection to launch games. This setup feels restrictive, especially for console titles that rely on optimized data for speed. Ultimately, I’m not tied to any specific medium; I prefer the ability to manage my games however suits me best.
Physical activities, tunes, films, and even literature should cease, yet this is my unique choice. Even my wife finds me quite bold in this view. The drawback is that as the owner, you can’t lend, exchange, or sell digital versions.
I don't agree with this. For reading I still like my books, even though I need bigger files now. Perhaps for music, movies, and physical games they could switch from CDs/DVDs to non-writable USB drives instead (though this would require you not needing any of the developer launchers like Ubisoft Connect or Origin). I don't really want to re-download all my games from scratch, which could reach terabytes. If you can't resell or lend digital copies (except maybe GOG), you can share games on Steam using Family settings. The downside is that if the owner of the game or account decides to change, you might lose access. You could also share certain games from GOG, but only under specific conditions.
I miss having physical copies of PC games. I own a range of formats—DVDs, LaserDiscs, and console titles—and enjoy the look of my shelves filled with them. The large packaging and covers also appeal to me, especially vinyl. However, since PC games now often include Steam keys in their packaging, physical copies seem less necessary. There’s little value left in getting a physical game when digital versions are available. It’s confusing why anyone would still care about physical copies, especially since many people try to resell them with used keys that end up worthless. At least with a physical console game, there’s still a chance to resell them. But for PC games, digital sales have clearly become the norm. Valve understood that physical stores can’t compete anymore. Sure, it’s been years since I visited a store to browse their selection, but I remember discounts being much bigger than digital ones. I’d rather enjoy those savings or bundles instead of spending on a plastic case.