|
 On 12/03/2013 at 05:46 PM by Daniel Iverson See More From This User » |
While the industry welcomes a new generation of consoles, I'm finally embracing the PC as a gaming platform.
This is significant because it means not only accepting digital distribution but prioritizing it. I've purchased my share of DLC and digital-only games, certainly, but only whenever there was no alternative. That's because I've always enjoyed collecting games at least as much as actually playing them. I've enjoyed being able to hold them, appreciate their packaging, arrange them for display, and sell them back should I so choose to buy something else. I always figured I'd sooner stop playing games than go digital.
That said, I've also always resented how Steam sales would offer games I wanted to play for a fraction of the cost. I've resented my stubborn refusal to buy them because I wanted a physical copy, which I further would require to be complete with a manual I'd literally never touch and a black label to preserve consistency on my shelf. I've resented seeing how PC versions so often look and run better while my higher priced console versions struggle to maintain 30 FPS.
It seems inevitable that, eventually, digital distribution will become the only way to buy games. Microsoft's original vision for the Xbox One was close to making this future immediate and tangible, which prompted me to embrace it now while I still have a choice rather than wait and have a harder time adjusting down the road.
So, I finally committed. I've begun to sell a big chunk of my collection to fund a few new PC components until I've got the cash to buy a whole new system.
I won't abandon console gaming altogether. I'll still buy exclusives, reasonably priced collector's editions, and games for which the PC version doesn't support a controller. But it's going to be a while before I pick up a next-gen console.
I know this is kind of a hot debate. I don't intend to preach or suggest it's the right choice for you, but since last week, I've spent less than the MSRP for one new console game ($48.21) and added 8 Steam games including a newish release (Saints Row IV) to my library. I think I could get used to this.
I feel the same way. I'm going to buy a new PC before I go next gen too, probably purchasing a new gaming laptop of desktop in February, and then a PS4 in April. The cheap games, all the indies which I really prioritize these days... I just love it.
I hear ya loud and clear on this one. 
Before the entry cost of getting a gaming PC was what kept me out of it. When I get out of college though and get a stable career though, I might end up the same way as you.
I've been looking into PC gaming as well. Being able to control how a game looks graphically, being able to connect the PC to my TV, and of course having outlets like an Amazon/Steam/Humble Bundle where a lot of games are sold at deep discounts in comparison to their console counterparts.
I think what's holding me back is the fact that I still want a physical copy in my hands. I tried going digital only with music, but eventually came back to physical media...if something ever happens with the Steam Box, I might be checking it out.
I'm getting pretty close to this point too. Steam has played a large role, but so has my slowly depleting storage space. I have never sold a single game I've owned, and even though I don't have a "collection," I have a lot of games in boxes up in the closet and stashed around the house. It's getting ridiculous. Having things digital on the PC, 3DS, and consoles has become more and more convenient, and I will probably go that route more and more.
I just bought Fire Emblem on the 3DS this morning because it was cheaper than it would ever be digitally... I was a little bummed I had to buy it on cartridge.
I am not quite ready to dive completely into PC gaming. That being said, I do have an absolutely massive collection of steam games and I should probably start playing those at some point.
As far as digital distribution is concerned. I have gotten to the point where I no longer want to buy physical copies of handheld games. It is just so nice not having to deal with losing or swapping out catridges.
I love Steam and will buy games on there that are strictly digitally distributed. But for anything else, I still prefer grabbing the physical copy. Of course, I basically have a gaming shrine in my basement where all of my stuff is on display on huge shelves that line the walls.
But for anything I do buy on Steam, it needs to be extremely cheap, because I don't place much value on the digital version of these products. Maybe it's a bad mantra to have, but I guess I don't really perceive digital goods to be true products.
In the case of physical releases, I very rarely shell out the cash for just released games. Thanks to Cheap Ass Gamer I manage to get in on some ridiculous deals when games are long past their release for pennies on the dollar. At that point it's probably equivalent to the price on Steam, but like I said, I'd rather have the physical artifact, so at least in my mind, it's a superior deal.
I do expect that physical games will be largely phased out toward the end of the new generation, but I'm hoping that an option to buy at retail is always available for dinosaurs like me, even if it means paying a premium.
I'm with Nick-- I've found that I really don't buy too many new games when they first come out. The only exceptions are stuff that I reeeeaaally want, like a new Zelda or Mario game if I think it fun enough. Otherwise, I have no problem waiting unitl price drops come on.
But you raise a good point though-- Steam has some killer deals for games that you'd pay more for on consoles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments