GamerNode: News - "Digital distribution won't replace retail games"

"Digital distribution won't replace retail games"

Category: Industry, Posted: 10/07/2008 at 05:03PM EDT by Frank Ling, Content Contributor

matrix guys There are a good number of gamers who believe that digital distribution is the wave of the future. But will it ever replace retail boxed games?

Not according to Nintendo of America president, Reggie Fils-Aime. He believes that while digital distribution has its place, it won't surpass the traditional method of selling games to customers.

"[Digital distribution is] a nice added business model, but it's not something that's going to take over retail game sales."

Fils-Aime believes that the convienience of having a game disc is another reason why retail sales of games will continue to be the prefered choice for consumers.

"We'll be able to see the sales growth and plan for [the digital download market], but I guess similar to home consoles, the consumer will want an experience that's best delivered through physical goods, simply because of the memory size required. There will always be those opportunities for big, in-depth games on retail products."

Another factor has to do with what the consumer expects when purchasing a game; many are used to the idea of getting a real physical item. Ted Price, the creative director for the PS3 game Resistance 2 said:

"I think that digital distribution is here to stay. But at the same time, I think that there are enough people who appreciate the fondle factor, having a physical copy of the game in their hands, that [means] retail will stick around for a long time too."

The prospect of downloading a large game that is 8GB in file size, (the equivalent of a dual-layered DVD), is also a big deterrent to downloading content. For individuals who have normal DSL/cable Internet connection speeds, this can mean hours of download time before they can play the game.

Until super hi-speed Internet service is more affordable and available, the prospects of widespread digital distribution for games are probably unlikely.

[via venturebeat]

(14)

Posted by on 10/07/2008 at 05:11PM

i agree

Posted by intooblivion on 10/07/2008 at 05:13PM

lol fondle factor

Also not really. Digital distribution sux.

lol I meant normal retail distribution.

Posted by -=BINGO-BANGO=- on 10/07/2008 at 05:20PM

agree

Posted by Mercer on 10/07/2008 at 07:58PM

An alright observation FOR NOW, but it likely won't take long for digital distribution to be the primary way we get our digital goods. I don't think they are putting down digital distribution though, they are making the point that the infrastructure just hasn't been improved enough yet.

And I don't care for the "fondle factor" if i can just start a game from a device with out fumbling with the storage media of choice, I'm all for it. Anecdotally, I think many people share my view.

Posted by SpaceMonkee12 on 10/08/2008 at 07:11AM

Right.... This is coming from the company who thought game cartridges and mini cds were the wave of the future.

Posted by zius070 on 10/08/2008 at 08:12AM

I have to agree I would hate to have all my games as digital copies I much prefer having a hard copy of the game so I know it's mine and not much can go wrong with it other than damage. Alot can go wrong if it's all digitaly downloaded

Posted by vincian on 10/08/2008 at 11:34AM

not if the service is a good one... look at Steam... once you have it, it's yours... no need to worry about loosing the disk or CD key if you want to reinstall the game for whatever reason.

Posted by vincian on 10/08/2008 at 06:01PM

that is true for the pc but video games still like my blu ray still breaking it in

Posted by noobman on 10/09/2008 at 11:49AM

There will always be people who want their game on a physical medium. I personally prefer digital distribution.

Posted by intooblivion on 10/09/2008 at 12:55PM

"Alot can go wrong if it's all digitaly downloaded"

Oh noes, mah packet was corrupted! Guess I'll have to redownload that packet!

instead of

Oh noes, mah cd is teh scratched! No more game forever!

Posted by Cobra951 on 10/10/2008 at 02:40PM

What if Steam goes out of business. Now what do you do? They hold the rights to everything you think you own. Fannie Mae and Washington Mutual were never supposed to go under either. It can happen.

This has nothing to do with fondling. If I own something, I want to have it with no strings attached. Renting's fine. I have nothing against renting a game or a movie. Rentals are perfect for digital distribution. But if I own them, they better be somewhere on my shelf, and I better be able to use them anyplace I choose, with or without the internet. If I'm allowed to make a fully functional (unlocked) disc copy of downloaded games, that could work. I'll be happy to supply the disc and the time.

Posted by ninjalegend on 10/11/2008 at 02:02AM

"This has nothing to do with fondling. If I own something, I want to have it with no strings attached. Renting's fine. I have nothing against renting a game or a movie. Rentals are perfect for digital distribution. But if I own them, they better be somewhere on my shelf, and I better be able to use them anyplace I choose, with or without the internet. If I'm allowed to make a fully functional (unlocked) disc copy of downloaded games, that could work. I'll be happy to supply the disc and the time."

Amen.

Posted by DKR1138 on 10/13/2008 at 05:46AM

I like digital distribution so much for PC that I haven't bought a physical disc version since June 2002. At least I can say I was ahead of the pack when they just digitally distribute everything.. it is going to happen.