Recently, the gaming industry has seen a shift from physical media to digital. Video game companies are now moving to digital content and download services. While the gaming market is seeing a shift, the debate of whether physical media or digital is better is still going strong. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of both types of gaming media.
Digital game downloads are becoming increasingly popular because they are easy to access and don’t require players to carry around physical game disks. This makes it possible to play games at any time and place. With the increasing popularity of online video game streaming services and digital videogame storefronts such as Stadia or Steam, many people prefer to play their games via digital download or streaming. This is because these services don’t require you to have your own physical game disc to stream the games.
But what is the difference between a digital and a physical game? In this article, we will base both comparisons on a couple of important factors using a scale of 1 to 5. Let’s begin.
1. Utility and Value
Physical media are more convenient than their digital counterparts. It is also prettier and is a nice touch for the game shelves as a showcase in one’s home. However, it does have some drawbacks when it comes to wear and tear. Physical media requires real storage space for it to look nice and presentable, contrary to just having it on the cloud or a hard drive.
Digital games, on the other hand, can be stored on a cloud server and be played anywhere that has an internet connection. It also does not degrade to usage over time. However, if you’re looking for a prettier shelf, then you might want to opt in and visit here to grab a copy of your favorite physical console game.
Another thing to note is that a physical game collection will feel much more like an actual collection than some files on a cloud server. Physical video game collections will always feel a lot more fulfilling than any amount of digital copies.
- Physical Video Game – 4.5
- Digital Video Game – 4
2. Performance
Game Discs take longer to load in-game by default since a lot of moving parts are involved to run the game. Disc Drives have very limited capabilities in comparison with digitally stored media which only require CPU and GPU power to run.
Conversely, when one’s internet connection is unstable, digital streaming media can also limit the gaming experience as compared to when playing via a disc drive which runs locally and doesn’t rely too much on internet connectivity.
Digital videogame formats however will always run faster and smoother over any kind of disc technology. This is one of the best arguments for its existence.
- Physical Video Game – 3.5
- Digital Video Game – 5
3. Sharing
Sharing was a huge issue back in the Xbox One vs Playstation 4 era back in 2013-2014. Initially, the Xbox decided to go a route where sharing would be next to impossible without giving your account for use. Meanwhile, the PS4 made it easier by allowing the game discs to install on any Playstation 4 and letting the accounts handle themselves, they even teased it in this video before launch.
This really hurt sales for the Xbox One’s initial release and forced them to make adjustments to make game sharing relatively easy eventually. Ironically towards the end, it was the Xbox One with its Gameshare app that made it easier to share games.
Sharing an account for the mere purpose of lending a game is risky so having physical video game formats make it easy for friends to lend or sell games. But with all these cloud-based options it appears that digital video games are catching up to physical video game formats.
- Physical Video Game – 5
- Digital Video Game – 4
4. Durability
It’s no secret that physical game formats will always suffer through wear over time. Scratches and dings on discs, sometimes water damage can really affect how a physical game disc performs. Digital doesn’t have this disadvantage and is yet another reason to switch.
If you are looking for something that will last forever, then digital games are the way to go. On the other hand, if you are looking for something that has the potential to be a collector’s item or a classic game that can command a hefty price on the open market, then physical game discs are for you. Digital games are easily recreated and restored which is why it loses their value over time and has no potential to be a collector’s item.
- Physical Video Game – 3.5
- Digital Video Game – 5
5. Availability and Access
Have you ever experienced waiting for the latest Resident Evil game and only realize the store doesn’t have it in stock anymore? This is probably the best argument for digital video game formats. Any game launch date will provide consumers with an unlimited supply of their most anticipated game without anybody getting disappointed.
Digital copies will never ever run out of stock as long as the servers that store them are running, which is probably the biggest reason digital formats are becoming more and more popular. People will no longer have to wait for shipping delays or long lines at the store. This is not the case for Physical game formats which have to deal with logistics and supply vs demand dynamics.
- Physical Video Game – 3.5
- Digital Video Game – 5
Conclusion
Results:
- Physical Video Game – (4)
- Digital Video Game – (4.6)
The debate between discs and digital has been going on for a while now. There are many people who believe that digital games are the way to go, while others believe otherwise. This article is in no way advocating for one or the other since there are many benefits to both of them, but in the end, it’s up to you to decide which is best for you. Just remember why you buy games and weigh the difference to make the best decision for yourself.