Video Game Saga *

I was recently wondering after reading and listening to a conversation how do gamers prefer to get their games?  The other question that I had is "after what happened to PSN, does this change your feelings"?

There are games that have been downloaded from PSN that can't be accessed and played without being able to connect to the network.  What if this were to happen to a service like Steam?  I don't use Steam enough to know if you need to be able to access their network to play all of your games or if you download the games and Steam is your "backup" copy of the game you have purchased.  I like Steam's business model and think it is very good for gamers as long as they don't go out of business.  I think they have enough users, offer enough games, and don't have much competition and can continue to be a great service for gamers.

I am a person who generally likes to have a hard copy of a game in case a friend of mine wants to borrow it.  I know having games lying around creates clutter but for me that doesn't really matter.  Although yes it can be frustrating when you want to play a game and can't find it in your collection.  I am not opposed to downloaded games.  I have downloaded my fair share of them for sure.  I also like having a hard copy of a game because if I finish it and won't play it or no longer want it I can trade it in and put some money towards a new game.

Let me know how you prefer to get your games and why.  I am sure people have great reasons for preferring one way over another.

There is a MAJOR plus, and MAJOR negative to the digital download future. But before I move on, allow me to point out this this is happening in not just the videogame industry, but the entire computer and entertainment industry as a whole.

The + is, with a lot of people still being without internet or television in certain areas of the world, this could inspire the growth and development of the industry in those areas.

The - is, when I pay $60 for a game, I want the full game (this mainly goes to DLC), not half of the game, and having to pay another $50 for the rest through DLC. Additionally, hardcopies are essential for a functioning digital era. All it takes is one major wipeout of an industrialized area for computer to fry and lose everything. Without solid state software, how can we function properly in that sense?

I do feel that DLC definitely has it's place.  I agree with you Platinum that game companies MUST release full polished versions of games to start.  DLC is meant to be an add on once people have finished the main story of games.  The game that comes to mind that has done this right recently is Dungeon Defenders.  The base game is a good game (my opinion) that is polished and works well alone.  The DLC is just extra goodies if people are wanting to pay for it.  If they don't want DLC they still have a good game that is very entertaining.

GameStop is trying to figure out how they can get in on the download market in case disc/carriage versions of games begin to disappear.  Download only games are nice because they reduce cost.  But if I download a game that I am not happy with I don't have a place to take it and trade it in.  The first person to figure that out I think will make a ton of money.