Sony brings PS2 downloads to PSN

[Inazuma]

People buy physical releases because it is the only version of the game, or they prefer it over download (if both are available).

they are making money on physical releases. WHY do you think they'd decide to stop producing something that is making them money?

Let me explain it a different way.

Halo 4 comes out as a $60 DVD with $60 of DLC. 5 million people buy the DVD and also get the DLC. Microsoft makes $400 million in profits.

Halo 5 comes out as a $50 download with $60 of DLC. 4 million people download it and also get the DLC. Microsoft makes $440 million in profits.

This is a very realistic estimation of what can happen. Microsoft only makes around $20 for each DVD they sell, but they make $50 on a $50 download. Some people would be upset at Halo 5 being download only, but they may go for it anyway since it's $50 compared to $60. Some people still think $50 is too much so they won't get it at all. But even if 1 million people don't get it, thanks to the download version being much more profitable, Microsoft ends up making more than they did with Halo 4.

If you thought the PS3 and Xbox 360 went overboard with download only games and content, just wait for the next generation. It's gonna get a hell of a lot worse.

[noiseredux]

Microsoft only makes around $20 for each DVD they sell, but they make $50 on a $50 download.

Where did you get these figures from?

[Flake]

Generally speaking, gamers are spineless and pushovers. Most of us don't mind getting fucked over, and those who complain about it, most of them end up supporting the companies.

Or most of them realize it's video games, the least important and most irreverent thing in the world. And, being that it's video games, it doesn't matter and there are more important things to worry about.

Having other priorities doesn't make a gamer "spineless" or "a pushover". It means they have better things to do with their time than worry about the big bad corporations that you some how are convinced are out to get you.

[Inazuma]

Steam does this all the time....I assume you don't use it?

Never used Steam. I can't use it because I prefer to own my games, rather than lease them. I'm not the type to bend over whenever a big corporation asks me to.

I like how GoG does it. That's the right way to do download games.

why don't you just tell us what you're secret PSN name is already? It would make you feel better.

I think my PSN name is Inazuma with some numbers after it. I bought a used launch model of the PS3 and would sometimes download game trailers and demos from PSN. But then one day Sony tried to remove my Other OS feature, so I was unable to update my firmware. I've been offline ever since. I own two PSPs but I have never gone online with them. I don't own an Xbox 360. I don't play any modern PC games.

I also write my congressmen on a regular basis. Anytime some bullshit law is trying to get passed, I will send them an email. I also donate on a monthly basis to an organization who lobbies against laws that threaten our freedom. And lastly, I boycott any company that deserves it.

I'm one of the few people who puts his money where his mouth is.

[Inazuma]

Microsoft only makes around $20 for each DVD they sell, but they make $50 on a $50 download.

Where did you get these figures from?

I used to work at a retail video game store. Long story short, it is a hell of a lot cheaper to sell a download over a physical game. You will save money on manufacturing, shipping, and retail stores. Plus there is no used game market to worry about.

Generally speaking, the publisher and developer will make anywhere from $20 to $30 for a $60 game. If you made your own PC game and sold it on your own website, you would keep 100% of the money. Blizzard does this right now with Starcraft II. If you download it from them, Blizzard gets $60. If you go to Best Buy and buy the physical version of it, they would only get around $20 to $30.

[dsheinem]

Inazuma, why is "ownership" of downloadable titles so important to you? If/when games that were download-only do get taken off of servers, they will undoubtedly still be available on the web for anyone with a fast connection and a search engine to easily download. When you download them you'd be getting the same exact thing you bought when the game was downloaded once upon a time on Steam, PSN, etc. . You would then be able to play it on that original hardware (or on a new system, potentially) via some mod/hack. You can already do this now (though most of us choose not to pirate).

I guess what I am saying is that if the game is digital only and I buy it, I expect to always be able to find a digital-only playable copy. I don't expect to have to ever rebuy the same exact thing.

[BoringSupreez]

This is good news. I have no intention of buying any PS2 downloads, but it should drive the few expensive PS2 games down in price, if Sony is good about getting the good stuff up like they did with their PS1 games. I'll always opt for the physical version when feasible.

@ Inazuma: you really need to set your priorities straight. Video game are just games. A hobby. Something to do for fun. NOT worth getting all bent out of shape over. You get more worked up over games than most people I know do over things that really matter. If video gaming is ruined by modern game companies, that's sad, but it's not the end of the world. Find something else to do. Or play old games. I don't care which.

[Inazuma]

Inazuma, why is "ownership" of downloadable titles so important to you? If/when games that were download-only do get taken off of servers, they will undoubtedly still be available on the web for anyone with a fast connection and a search engine to easily download. When you download them you'd be getting the same exact thing you bought when the game was downloaded once upon a time on Steam, PSN, etc. . You would then be able to play it on that original hardware (or on a new system, potentially) via some mod/hack. You can already do this now (though most of us choose not to pirate).

I guess what I am saying is that if the game is digital only and I buy it, I expect to always be able to find a digital-only playable copy. I don't expect to have to ever rebuy the same exact thing.

I shouldn't have to resort to hacking and piracy to play video games. I should be able to play the latest Call of Duty online multiplayer game legitimately, and not worry about getting fucked over with all of this bullshit. Just because piracy exists, doesn't mean I can't still care about the video game industry or my own rights.

[Inazuma]

@ Inazuma: you really need to set your priorities straight. Video game are just games. A hobby. Something to do for fun. NOT worth getting all bent out of shape over. You get more worked up over games than most people I know do over things that really matter. If video gaming is ruined by modern game companies, that's sad, but it's not the end of the world. Find something else to do. Or play old games. I don't care which.

You only know me from this video game forum. I actually care a lot about everything else too.

I used to make topics about other subjects on this forum, but it was too much truth for you guys to handle so a mod would always lock it. I know damn well that there are plenty of things more important than video games, and I feel very strongly about them as well.

I would list off a few of the non-video game related topics that are completely fucked up, but I know this forum won't be able to handle it. Video games are my favorite thing but it's not the only thing I care about.

[MrPopo]

@ Inazuma: you really need to set your priorities straight. Video game are just games. A hobby. Something to do for fun. NOT worth getting all bent out of shape over. You get more worked up over games than most people I know do over things that really matter. If video gaming is ruined by modern game companies, that's sad, but it's not the end of the world. Find something else to do. Or play old games. I don't care which.

You only know me from this video game forum. I actually care a lot about everything else too.

I used to make topics about other subjects on this forum, but it was too much truth for you guys to handle so a mod would always lock it. I know damn well that there are plenty of things more important than video games, and I feel very strongly about them as well.

I would list off a few of the non-video game related topics that are completely fucked up, but I know this forum won't be able to handle it. Video games are my favorite thing but it's not the only thing I care about.

For the record, the mods have not locked any of your threads because "we can't handle it." Your threads get locked because you have a complete lack of social skills of any kind and undermine every one of your points through insulting those you claim to want to educate. Half the time I personally agree with one of your views but you still haven't figured out how to present your views in a less inflammatory way.