I look forward to a future where everyone downloads games to their console or PC. I also hope these downloads would finish in the blink of an eye. I’d dump game discs. I wouldn’t need them anymore.
Well, that future date is up in the air and covered with fog. It’s hard to see when it will touch down on the ground. In the meantime, let me tell you six reasons why I love to download games.
1. Convenience
It’s just plain convenient to download games online. You don’t have to go to the brick and mortar stores of yore. You can keep the creases, folds and impressions that make up your comfortable couch groove.
There is a downside, though, because you can’t always sell downloaded games. Still this might be a small price to pay. I mean, you get an amazing game, and you don’t even have to move.
2. Steam
I think you’ll find it worthwhile just to get a PC for these sales. And it’s tough to resist Valve’s world class games, like Portal and Half Life. Be careful! These video game sales might tempt even a stingy person with a digital wallet.
3. Demos
Downloading and playing a demo is like test driving a car: you get a taste of the full experience. I appreciate that demos are there if I need to take one for a test drive.
I sometimes played demos sometimes during the last generation. I love it when you complete them and unlock rewards, and I had great fun do this with Mass Effect 3.
4. XBLA and PSN
It was amazing to see how XBLA improved. It went from simple but fun games like Geometry Wars to block busters like Shadow Complex. Journey won critical praise and my heart. What improvements will we see during this generation?
5. “Original” games
Journey, Fez, and Bastion are refreshing. These games, and others like them, are a welcome change from the mainstream diet of AAA sequels. In fact, they’re so good that you might find they replace your previous diet and leave you satisfied. Try these downloadable games. You’ll thank me later.
6. DLC
Don’t pelt me with tomatoes just yet. Let me explain. DLC is exciting when it extends the life of a game, and it offers you a different way to play the game. DLC also allows developers to take risks with their game. When it’s done right, DLC keeps me interested.
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Why do you love or hate downloadable games?
Video Games Nebula 
I don’t actually download games, so I’ll take your word on them. 🙂 The only real problem I see with all games becoming downloadable is that it would mean no one would buy them in stores anymore. And that would put a lot of video game stores out of business, and as a result, it would also put a lot of people out of a job.
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You have a good point about employment in video game stores. I would hope these people could keep their jobs. Do you avoid downloading games because you’re concerned about these peoples’ jobs, or is there another reason?
I still like physical copies of games, and I go to stores to buy them. But I wonder how will we play video games in the future (discs or downloads?)…
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I’m not really sure why I don’t download games. I think I just prefer to own an physical copy of the game more than I like just having the data, if I can actually get the game. I have no problem downloading N64, or Gamecube games because I can’t buy them. I don’t think I avoid downloading games because of the people.
That’s a good question. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
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Agreed about waiting and seeing…
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I agree with Demos and apps and indie games being good when it comes to download games, but I’ve always liked to showcase and browse through my collection. Admittedly, I once had a flash cart, and browsing through that library, albeit small, was not nearly as enjoyable as browsing though my physical library was. I know that dowloadable games are the future, but myself I like to have the option of having the choice of getting either a physical or digital copy of the game.
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I also like how we have the option – with some games – of buying either a physical or digital copy. But I wonder: how long will we have both of these options?
If the future is digital, I can think of lots of reasons to love digital games, but they aren’t perfect now. That’s for sure.
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I think everything goes towards Digital to be honest, though there still are a lot of people who love owning their products in physical form.
Hell, I bought Ice Age 4 and got a DVD disc, Bluray disc AND a digital copy in the same case. That’s insane 😀
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Haha that’s a lot of copies.
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