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Posted: Jan 31 2008 07:42 pm

I've gotten the inside scoop from within the system. Pretty much, there's a lot of talk about digital distribution. The people I've talked to honestly believe that in five years digital distribution will replace DVDs and become the #1 source of distribution. The Kojima report has Ryan Payton talking about it and the game industry for multiple episodes. There's all kinds of blogs about it online. Comcast on Demand is doing extremely well... Gossip Girl sucks in ratings but is making a killing on iTunes!?

The point is, I'm surrounded by digital distribution talk, as I'm sure all of you are too. My question isn't what do we do about it, or what your opinions are, it's: DO YOU EVEN CARE?

The fact is none of us really have a voice to say in the matter. The only voice we have is our lifestyles and whether or not we're buying media through direct downloads already. We can't really change that (well, individually, but it wouldn't matter at this point).

Do you pay attention to the gossip, or just kick back and wait for the good times to roll?

Posted: Jan 31 2008 07:54 pm

Well digital distribution is already happening to me. It just seems like HW is trying to get in on the action. Personally i think anything downloaded is never as good as buying a physical copy. Soundwise and just for the ownership issues. I dont wanna drag my hard drives whenever i wanna bring some form of entertainment to someone elses house to share. It just seems like now the entertainment indurtsy is trying to take advantage of it.

The thing about TV shows is a bit diff for me though. Because TV episodes are shown at such a set time i actualy go and buy episodes of shows i know ill be at school or work for. So i totally understand why a show would be more popular from the digital side. But Gossip Girl is surprising.

Posted: Jan 31 2008 07:59 pm

I'm all for DD.

1. Instant purchasing -

I have used both Steam and Direct2Drive in the past to buy games. And, I have to say that I really like the setup. I see a game I want, I buy it, download it, and play it. I don't need to drive to the store to try to find it. Nor, do I even need to put on pants first.

2. (The Theory of) cheaper pricing-

By distributing games digitally you can save money, as there is no packaging costs nor shipping costs. (Though, I haven't seen much difference in pricing yet.)

3. Product Safety & Use-

I never have to worry about scratching or misplacing my DVD of the game. If I uninstall it, and then decide 6 months later I want to play it again, I don't have to dig through case after case of disc trying to find where I put it.

*

I think it is a very promising new way to sell media, I rather enjoy it, and hope it takes off even further.

For example, I would really love for some company to start selling DD copies out-of-print and hard to find games for budget prices. Want to play somethign old, like say Arcanium? You wouldn't have to search through e-bay anymore and take your chances on what you are buying. Just click, buy, download, and play.

Joined: Feb 24 2006 Posts: 2578

No. I want to own it, I want it to have shiny box art, and I want to display it on a shelf.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

As do I. Downloading stuff is good if I'm trying something out before I buy, but not a substitution for the actual product.

Posted: Feb 01 2008 06:47 am

I used iTunes a couple of times when I missed episodes of Battlestar Galatica and that I'm fine with. A couple bucks to watch an episode of a TV show so I can stay up to date is no big deal

But in general, I'm with DarkMaze and Cattivo. I want an actual physical DVD, video game, or album and I want tons of extras. Guitar Hero III and Aqua Teens Volume 5 come with stickers. Digitially distribute THOSE, motherfuckers.

Posted: Feb 01 2008 12:23 pm

DVDs. I want a shelf, where others may peruse my items and notice my good taste.

Posted: Feb 01 2008 01:52 pm

I agree, I'd rather have the actual DVD or game than just the data on the computer. What will happen if the the file gets messed up or something. You know, computers do like to fuck up every now and then.

Posted: Feb 01 2008 04:46 pm

DarkMaze wrote:

No. I want to own it, I want it to have shiny box art, and I want to display it on a shelf.

Agreed.

Posted: Feb 01 2008 05:09 pm

DarknessDeku wrote:

I agree, I'd rather have the actual DVD or game than just the data on the computer. What will happen if the the file gets messed up or something. You know, computers do like to fuck up every now and then.

Everything is on record, so if you lose the file, you can just re-download it again for no charge.

I love displaying my DVDs and games on shelves, but if everything went to DD, then I would have to custom make all my own cases, which would be time consuming, but might still be fun.

Also, it would be great if the FBI came to your door and saw burned DVDs of movies and games everywhere. They would think you were a pirate and try to arrest you. So, you just whip out your download receipts and then sue them for false arrest without basis, and deflamation of character. And, then you buy a boat.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

but I don't want a boat.

Posted: Feb 01 2008 05:17 pm

You can have the boat, or you can have the mystery box. It could be anything!

Posted: Feb 01 2008 05:20 pm

You can keep the boat...or you can go for what's in the box that Hiro-San is bringing down the aisle right now! What's it gonna be?

Joined: Feb 24 2006 Posts: 2578

Knyte wrote:

You can keep the boat...or you can go for what's in the box that Hiro-San is bringing down the aisle right now! What's it gonna be?

Posted: Feb 01 2008 06:20 pm

SOOOOO STUPID!!!!

Posted: Feb 01 2008 06:32 pm

Char Aznable wrote:

You can have the boat, or you can have the mystery box. It could be anything!

It could be anything, even a boat.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 12:02 am

Yeah, I definitely prefer to have physical copies of my movies games and music. I mean, your hard drive gets corrupted or something there goes all the files you paid money for.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 01:46 am

Both Steam and D2D keep records online, on your account, so you can just re-download them for no charge.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 02:50 am

As long as I can re-download in event of a mishap, I don't mind DD at all. It IS nice to be able to take DVDs with me someplace or whatever, but once I had a job where I can't watch old WWF PPVs while I'm working, it won't matter.

I liked having shelves full of stuff because it looked neat, but it was just more shit to dust.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 03:08 am

I love how this thread managed to segue into a UHF reference.

Yeah, I have OCD, so to me, there is nothing more satisfying than organizing my albums in alphabetical/chronological order. I have to have physical copies, especially of albums, because I feel more connected to the product and the people that made it.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 10:32 am

Well, im waiting this one out. That was my vote.

The extras everyone talks about, those are whatev to me. I have so many ultimate edition DVD's w/extras I havent even seen yet. But I do like the fact that I can borrow DVD's + lend out DVD's and also its cool when someone sees your collection and gives you props for it.

I like th ease digital distribution provides you and the fact that if your HDD gets messed up you can re-download your collection again. Whereas w/DVD's if your copy gets scratched, you have to buy a new one, unless you back them up to your PC but even then, its still a copy of it and the copies are never as good as the original.

Only thing is running out of room on your HDD.

but whatev, you guys know more than me about this.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 01:04 pm

username wrote:

Well, im waiting this one out. That was my vote.

The extras everyone talks about, those are whatev to me. I have so many ultimate edition DVD's w/extras I havent even seen yet. But I do like the fact that I can borrow DVD's + lend out DVD's and also its cool when someone sees your collection and gives you props for it.

I like th ease digital distribution provides you and the fact that if your HDD gets messed up you can re-download your collection again. Whereas w/DVD's if your copy gets scratched, you have to buy a new one, unless you back them up to your PC but even then, its still a copy of it and the copies are never as good as the original.

Only thing is running out of room on your HDD.

but whatev, you guys know more than me about this.

OK, this sums me up. No need to say anything else.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 01:47 pm

So everyone does in fact care about Digital Distribution. Okay, good for you guys to stay on top of the industry. Smile

Now, I don't think it'll completely take over, but I do think it'll increase significantly in the five year projections.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 02:03 pm

For some stuff digital download seems more optimal. If you just want to buy a single episode and don't wanna spend the hundreds for complete series or seasons (like MST3K for instance) Digital is going to help you get what you want.

Posted: Feb 02 2008 04:29 pm

erock462 wrote:

For some stuff digital download seems more optimal. If you jus want to buy a single episode and don't wanna spend the hundreds for complete series or seasons (like MST3K for instance) Digital is going to help you get what you want.

I agree w/this. I would rather buy one song from iTunes that I want to have, than buy an album w/only one song I like and get stuck w/a bunch of crap I dont like. I hate that.