+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted July 4, 2010 Subscriber² Share Posted July 4, 2010 New research claims that consumers consider physical product to be more important in games than in newspapers, films or music.A survey of over 1,000 people by research firm Ipsos MediaCT found that 64 per cent preferred physical discs for their games over digital copies. Newspapers followed closely with 63 per cent opting for hard copies. Conversely music and film were considerably lower, with a respective 45 and 51 per cent shunning digital. "I believe the preference for physical discs amongst next gen gamers reflects the potential value they derive from the pre-owned market, which is holding up the preference for physical ? this is unlike the music and film markets," said Ipsos MediaCT director Ian Bramley. "Physical games discs have a long and well-established history, which is a deep mindset to change ? particularly when gamers build a physical collection as they fear losing digital versions. And in-store browsing is also important to buyers." Source: http://www.mcvuk.com/news/39857/64-prefer-discs-to-digital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protocol7 Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 From a gaming POV the only reason I'd take digital over physical is if it was significantly cheaper. I don't mind waiting a week or so for a game to come in the post and in almost every case I've found the game cheaper on Play.com than Steam. And as a PC gamer, resale isn't a factor. Raa 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaltLife Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I don't mind buying digital games, but I like having the physical disc. Same goes for movies, well especially movies and music. I don't like the digital crap because if I want to go to someones house and play I have to bring my whole system. Same with going on vacation, our rental property has a PS3 and I'd hate to have to bring my whole system just to let the kids game or watch movies. Don't get me wrong, digital media is awesome, but there are limitations because of the DRM (as the same can be said about physical media as well) -KJ 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Laidher Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I like the physical aspect of buying a protect.I like to be able to hold and see it physically exist's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorwing Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 hmmm really? I'm beginning to like the digital copies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayepecks Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I'd be far more interested in this survey if it showed what the percentage was in previous years, as I could've told you that people still prefer physical to digital mediums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman273 Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I'd be far more interested in this survey if it showed what the percentage was in previous years, as I could've told you that people still prefer physical to digital mediums. I was going to say the same thing. In fact, I would've figured more people would still prefer physical. 64% sounds pretty low, and getting lower, I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted July 4, 2010 Veteran Share Posted July 4, 2010 I prefer the lowest price :) MightyJordan 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkMan Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 The important thing here isn't that 64% prefer physical media. it's that 46% now prefer digitial media. and it only says prefer so the number of peopel who will buy it if it's convenient or cheaper or faster or whatever, is probably higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViperAFK Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I prefer digital. I tend to lose all the pc games I buy on disc. I wish I knew where the hell my copy of bf2142 went :( On steam all my games are always there to download them whenever I want. Denis W. 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClark Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I prefer the highest quality...and you only can get the highest quality on physical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkMan Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I prefer the highest quality...and you only can get the highest quality on physical. please explain to me how a digital copy on a digital disk provides better quality than the digital copy that was downloaded digitally and is 100% identical to the digital disk copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown_97784568745 Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 please explain to me how a digital copy on a digital disk provides better quality than the digital copy that was downloaded digitally and is 100% identical to the digital disk copy. I think he's talking about music and video. In that case he would be right (most of the time anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodrigo Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I suppose it also depends on the people's connection since not everybody has access to high-speed broadband connections to be downloading dvds or heavy files. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbandonedTrolley Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 The important thing here isn't that 64% prefer physical media. it's that 46% now prefer digitial media. and it only says prefer so the number of peopel who will buy it if it's convenient or cheaper or faster or whatever, is probably higher. Huh did they interview 110% 64+46 = 110 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qdave Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 There was a time when i loved disk media, but now i guess digital downloads are much more convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soniqstylz Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 The important thing here isn't that 64% prefer physical media. it's that 46% now prefer digitial media. and it only says prefer so the number of peopel who will buy it if it's convenient or cheaper or faster or whatever, is probably higher. False assumption. What percentage have no preference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c3ntury Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 hmmm really? I'm beginning to like the digital copies. Same, I like the fact I can use my Steam games on all my computers, with the auto-updating feature. I just make sure to get my games in their brilliant sales! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soniqstylz Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 please explain to me how a digital copy on a digital disk provides better quality than the digital copy that was downloaded digitally and is 100% identical to the digital disk copy. compression. It's not 100% identical. Can't get as high quality sound or video, unless you're in the > 1% with acces to that kind of speed and space to make it worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCordRm Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I'm 100% digital now. Of course, the majority of the games I play -Lord of the Rings Online being the exception- are available on STEAM. If I re-install, I only have to install one program to have full availability to all my games. No scratched or broken CDs, etc. I'm loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azure.sapphire Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 It might have something to do with resale value, at least with past generations. What is the "real" resale value of music/movies purchased on iTunes or games on Steam? In the past people use to loan and, or resell their stuff. Now the closest thing you get to redistribution of IP is to pirate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epk Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 Digital for me. Hell, I'm even ripping most of my cds, movies, etc. and replacing old boxed games with their DD version. I never knew my house was so big! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayepecks Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 compression. It's not 100% identical. Can't get as high quality sound or video, unless you're in the > 1% with acces to that kind of speed and space to make it worthwhile. In the case of music or movies, but not games. Games are 100% identical on every single service I've ever heard of. If you were referring to music and movies, my bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+InsaneNutter MVC Posted July 4, 2010 MVC Share Posted July 4, 2010 I prefer the lowest price :) +1 Digital is way more convenient, however the price is usually more expensive than buying the game on disc. I never bother with digital downloads unless Steam has a sale or something like that. (Excluding XBLA games) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted July 4, 2010 Author Subscriber² Share Posted July 4, 2010 In the case of music or movies, but not games. Games are 100% identical on every single service I've ever heard of. If you were referring to music and movies, my bad. Possibly 360/PC versions, but many PS3 games come with higher resolution/bitrate videos and/or HD audio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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