Just once I'd like to actually own a physical copy!

[AntiVenomsBlood]

I wish I could actually get a physical copy of a PC game instead of digital copy. I would at least like to have the option to collect a real copy or have a download copy. Mortal Kombat 11 I want to have for my collection of a physical copy with a box on PC.

[Satoru]

https://theindiebox.com/collections/collectors-editions

[Abs]

The only reason I have steam was because I bought a game years and years ago. Got it home and the cd case was empty besides the key. I was so mad that I had to get this steam thing just to play. But over time I came to love steam and no matter what I dont have to worry about scratched cds or lost ones. Before I moved on I played bhd and over the years of playing that I bought atleast five copies due to messed up cds from one reason or another. So I dont miss the cds at all.

[Zekiran]

There are plenty of them out there. Maybe go to a brick and mortar store and ask them if they have an actual catalog of upcoming releases and order what you can there.

They will be going the way of the dinosaur save for specific editions, for people with more money than good sense. Digital downloads are far more economical and ecologically sound, plus you still have to USE the digital download process to run a game bought on a disk. Remember that those disks aren't somehow adding to the program imprinted on them at production. That's why Steam even exists.

Picking up the side stuff like statues, booklets, posters, figurines - those are things that collectors editions have. Beyond that, there may as well not be ANY data on a disk found in a collector edition product, because by the time it gets to your hands, there have already been half a dozen patches and updates.

[AntiVenomsBlood]

Zekiran の投稿を引用：

There are plenty of them out there. Maybe go to a brick and mortar store and ask them if they have an actual catalog of upcoming releases and order what you can there.

They will be going the way of the dinosaur save for specific editions, for people with more money than good sense. Digital downloads are far more economical and ecologically sound, plus you still have to USE the digital download process to run a game bought on a disk. Remember that those disks aren't somehow adding to the program imprinted on them at production. That's why Steam even exists.

Picking up the side stuff like statues, booklets, posters, figurines - those are things that collectors editions have. Beyond that, there may as well not be ANY data on a disk found in a collector edition product, because by the time it gets to your hands, there have already been half a dozen patches and updates.

Why would game consoles have a disk and PC is digital for the same game? They all have patches & updates and such. Thanks for the imput.

[AntiVenomsBlood]

Zekiran の投稿を引用：

There are plenty of them out there. Maybe go to a brick and mortar store and ask them if they have an actual catalog of upcoming releases and order what you can there.

They will be going the way of the dinosaur save for specific editions, for people with more money than good sense. Digital downloads are far more economical and ecologically sound, plus you still have to USE the digital download process to run a game bought on a disk. Remember that those disks aren't somehow adding to the program imprinted on them at production. That's why Steam even exists.

Picking up the side stuff like statues, booklets, posters, figurines - those are things that collectors editions have. Beyond that, there may as well not be ANY data on a disk found in a collector edition product, because by the time it gets to your hands, there have already been half a dozen patches and updates.

I understand what you mean but than why do game consoles have physical copies & the PC version is only digital? Both are the same game.

[Satoru]

Because Gamestop decided about a decade ago "We're gonna stop carrying PC games"

That's why

Unless you live in Europe, US retail PC gaming is more or less dead because Gamestop refuses to stock anything PC on their shelves. I coudlnt even buy Civ5 on release at a Gamestop (I was desparate to get rid of Gamestop gift cards)

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Last PC games I got at GS were Starcraft 2 and Skyrim LE.

[WildKhaine]

Think the last PC games I got physical copies of were Civilization V, X3: Gold Edition, Dragon Age Origins Ultimate Edition and Dragon Age II. Pretty sure I got them at Gamestop but can't remember. That was around 7 years or so ago, remember that because that's how old my Steam account is and had to sign up for it for Civ V.

[ReBoot]

GameStop can't be the only store carrying games. Germany can't be the only country there is where I can get retail copies in at least 3 chains and then theres still Amazon selling them as well.

[Zekiran]

AntiVenomsBlood の投稿を引用：

I understand what you mean but than why do game consoles have physical copies & the PC version is only digital? Both are the same game.

The ... console versions ALSO have to update.

They're also *returnable* and *tradeable* items. PC games are NOT.

Console kiddies are used to being able to put a cartridge or disk into a device and letting it run. It's part of the 'charm' of consoles - they do actually work. However they have much, MUCH lower requirements for the most part, than any PC game does.

But like I said, they still update online, you can't play them unless they've been fully updated OR you're completely offline and it doesn't "believe" you need to update it (ie: a non-multiplayer situation with no leaderboards, etc).

Both will probably always have some kind of physical component, but PC games don't NEED one, in any way. Collecting special bits is really the only thing that PC games have going for them in physical stores these days. Boxes are fun. I have a good number of my original boxes from the 80s and 90s, back before the internet was a thing.

Now if only I had a 5" drive so I could install SimAnt and ... wait, wait, it runs on DOS only and can't handle more than 256k memory or else it goes belly up ;)

[SpaceyMatt]

Eh, I used to feel that way and was a bit miffed when I went to install HL2 and found that it forced you to install Steam.

But I got over it eventually. I mean the game boxes take a lot of room too.

[Start_Running]

AntiVenomsBlood の投稿を引用：

Why would game consoles have a disk and PC is digital for the same game? They all have patches & updates and such. Thanks for the imput.

Because it's how business works. Stores don't make much on console sales. They make bank on the game sales. COnversely, store displays and promotions do a fair amount of awareness boosting. THe console makers have historically needed stores to move their consoles, so they basically wind up being obligated to let the stores wet their whistles.

It can be recalled that the XBone was originally intended to be a diskless console but they backtracked. Now that all the console makers have their own only distribution platforms setup and entrenched, me thinks you're going to see fewer games getting boxed releases for console, or rather, fewer games opting to go that route.

[AmsterdamHeavy]

I dont miss physical copies one little bit. It was a gigantic pain in the ass to keep track of all of the discs and keys.

I think one of the Unreal Tourneys I bought at one time, pre-DVD was 7 Cds. Just. No.

Now we have games with installs over 20, 30, 100 GBs. You want 11 DVDs in a box? That youre going to have to update anyway, because the pre-launch, unpatched version is on those discs?

I just checked the install of MKX. It is 48GB. That would be 6 dvds just to install.

Hell, the only time I open my dvd player at this point is to watch a movie. Im good with that.

[ReBoot]

I also agree that physical copies are a major PITA. Not only are they a burden when you move places (but hey, not everyone does that ober a dozen times), installing games from discs ain't fun either. Apart from the multiple -discs-problem, theres also the issue of having to track down patches. When you want to lend a game to a friend, then good luck getting the game back in time for a quick weekend round and the disc may come back scratched.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

ReBoot の投稿を引用：

When you want to lend a game to a friend, then good luck getting the game back in time for a quick weekend round and the disc may come back scratched.

Everyone knows I am a PITA when it comes to loaning out discs. If even a tiny scratch it on it when returned, they buy a brand new one.