Xbox One

[Stark]

So you guys are actually advocating for the loss of physical media? If so, I don't see what you're complaining about. All of these games are going to be available digitally as well, if not immediately, then eventually. I'm personally very pleased that physical copies of games are not going to be extinct for at least one more generation.

It wasn't the loss of physical media that was exciting, it was the way your digital library could be accessed, shared with friends, and re-sold that was interesting.

[ZenErik]

What are you talking about? When did we say we were advocating for the loss of physical media? I think an effective strategy for this gen would have been DRM free physical media and DRM w/ the ability to sell your digital licenses for digital downloads.

Library sharing would have also been fantastic.

[Retrogamer0001]

So you guys are actually advocating for the loss of physical media? If so, I don't see what you're complaining about. All of these games are going to be available digitally as well, if not immediately, then eventually. I'm personally very pleased that physical copies of games are not going to be extinct for at least one more generation.

It wasn't the loss of physical media that was exciting, it was the way your digital library could be accessed, shared with friends, and re-sold that was interesting.

Digital library, as in PSN and Live? Reselling those games? Aren't the vast majority of those titles indie releases that cost between 5-10 dollars? Maybe I'm not understanding the conversation very well

[ZenErik]

So you guys are actually advocating for the loss of physical media? If so, I don't see what you're complaining about. All of these games are going to be available digitally as well, if not immediately, then eventually. I'm personally very pleased that physical copies of games are not going to be extinct for at least one more generation.

It wasn't the loss of physical media that was exciting, it was the way your digital library could be accessed, shared with friends, and re-sold that was interesting.

Digital library, as in PSN and Live? Reselling those games? Aren't the vast majority of those titles indie releases that cost between 5-10 dollars? Maybe I'm not understanding the conversation very well

They also have games sold at retail for digital download. So you buy a $60 digital game at launch and don't like it? Currently you're stuck. But with the system the Xbox One was supposed to have you'd be able to sell the digital license for that game. I have no idea for what amount, but any sum greater than $0 is better than the current system. Plus people would be able to buy used digital licenses at a discount, which is neat.

[Retrogamer0001]

Personally, I don't see the attraction for buying a digital game at launch for $60 when the physical copy is the same price and you can always resell or trade it back in. It seems foolish to me. I don't think anyone has the right to complain about not being able to get a return on a digital game when they passed up on the physical copy for the same price.

[ZenErik]

Maybe you don't get it, but I like not lining my shelves with games. I used to be into the whole collecting thing. That part of me died.

I do think that digital releases SHOULD at least be a few dollars cheaper than physical. Maybe $55 instead of $60.

But saying 'you bought digital so you have it because you could have gotten a retail copy' sounds a bit ridiculous to me. Microsoft's initial Xbox One policies would have leveled that playing field and made digital more attractive for the general public.

All that said, buying digital has caused me to become a little more conservative with my purchases and less likely to buy everything day one. Don't need to pre-order for some bonus junk I will never use anyway. So personally, it's also helped me in that way.

[Retrogamer0001]

Maybe you don't get it, but I like not lining my shelves with games. I used to be into the whole collecting thing. That part of me died.

I do think that digital releases SHOULD at least be a few dollars cheaper than physical. Maybe $55 instead of $60.

But saying 'you bought digital so you don't deserve to be able to sell it because you could have gotten a retail copy' sounds a bit ridiculous to me.

All that said, buying digital has caused me to become a little more conservative with my purchases and less likely to buy everything day one. Don't need to pre-order for some bonus junk I will never use anyway. So personally, it's also helped me in that way.

Maybe you feel that way, but you seem to be in the minority considering the reversals by Microsoft and Sony's decision to stand pat with the physical copies. I like the collecting aspect of physical games. It doesn't matter one way or the other though - there will always be two sides of every coin. I do think that everything will eventually go digital though, as even paper manuals are beginning to disappear.

[ZenErik]

No doubt I'm in the minority on a retro gaming site. And still in the minority even outside of retro gamers. But that doesn't mean selling digital licenses shouldn't be an option.

I am perfectly fine with physical copies sticking around for a while longer. Just sort of advocating for 'equal rights' when it comes to selling both physical and digital copies of games. Like I've said over and over, it's definitely one policy that Microsoft was going in the right direction on. At least sort of. I'd still have kept physical copies DRM free to allow gamers who prefer physical copies to be able to continue their business as usual.

[Phades]

I still think their model could work. What I think they should do is something like:
1. Physical copy - Status quo.
2. Digital copy - 10% discount, Library sharing, 24-hour console "check-in" to play games, used digital games marketplace that they take a cut of all sales (similar to a Glyde or eBay, but publishers/devs would actually get a cut).

I think this kind of setup would encourage people to go digital which would ultimately make them more money.

[ZenErik]

I still think their model could work. What I think they should do is something like:
1. Physical copy - Status quo.
2. Digital copy - 10% discount, Library sharing, 24-hour console "check-in" to play games, used digital games marketplace that they take a cut of all sales (similar to a Glyde or eBay, but publishers/devs would actually get a cut).

I think this kind of setup would encourage people to go digital which would ultimately make them more money.

I've been thinking about canceling my PS4 pre-order because of lack of launch titles that interest me. If Microsoft changed their policy to what you are saying I would immediately cancel my PS4 pre-order and pre-order a Xbox One instead.

If only... I would love Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to all have policies similar to this one.