Future-proofing downloadable titles (XBLA/PSN/VC)

[Hatta]

Now we just need emulators for these consoles, for when the hardware inevitably fails.

[GSZX1337]

Perhaps I'm in a minority here, but am I the only one that was never concerned with the future of downloadable games? I always figured that if Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo/Valve ever left us hanging, there'd be some modders/pirates who'd come up with a workaround.

Now we just need emulators for these consoles, for when the hardware inevitably fails.

That's going to be a while.

[lisalover1]

Now we just need emulators for these consoles, for when the hardware inevitably fails.

That's going to be a while.

Especially considering we haven't even been able to to oXbox emulation properly as of yet.

[bryan_65]

Even when the Wii was relevant you could pirate WiiWare and VC games. It was pretty simple actually.

OK, back when a few good VC games came out I could only get dial up where I lived and Nintendo did not care. So I found way to play them any way, since I could not pay for them even if I wanted too.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

Can't you just buy WiiWare cards and not spend them? I'm pretty sure that would work.

[Opa Opa]

Can't you just buy WiiWare cards and not spend them? I'm pretty sure that would work.

What are you talking about? What good are point cards if the online service gets shut down?

[CavZee]

Perhaps I'm in a minority here, but am I the only one that was never concerned with the future of downloadable games? I always figured that if Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo/Valve ever left us hanging, there'd be some modders/pirates who'd come up with a workaround.

There's always that of course, but in the meantime I'd love to get some more compilation discs of some of the best PSN/XBL/WiiWare/etc games.

[bryan_65]

Can't you just buy WiiWare cards and not spend them? I'm pretty sure that would work.

LOL, yea I guess. But since the service was not available or offered to me why should I have to.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

Can't you just buy WiiWare cards and not spend them? I'm pretty sure that would work.

What are you talking about? What good are point cards if the online service gets shut down?

The point was paying Nintendo for the games he had pirated because he was stuck with dialup.

[Pulsar_t]

With digital-only we are indeed entering murky territory here. There have been precedents of multiplayer services being shut down impromptu and DLC codes becoming defunct, but so far you could play all of your previous titles if you had working hardware. In the future it'll be much harder to maintain your digital library. Short of some consumer lobbying to legislate this don't expect companies to bother really, especially since they can re-sell the same games on their newer platforms.