Digital vs Physical Game Copies: Which is Better?

Introduction

Gamers today face a choice when purchasing new video games - whether to get a physical copy on disc or download a digital version. With both options come certain pros and cons that must be weighed based on personal preferences and needs. Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of digital vs physical games in order to determine which format might be the best fit.

Part 1: The Benefits of Owning Physical Games Discs

Resell or Lend Games after Completing Them

One distinct advantage of owning physical game discs is the ability to resell or trade-in used games. Once finished with a title, gamers can choose to sell their disc back to a retailer like GameStop to earn some store credit, or lend it to a friend who may want to try the game. This allows the investment in a game to potentially have some continued value even after playing.

Store Games without Using Internal Storage Space

Many modern consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation have limited internal storage, as high as a terabyte, for game installations and saves. Physical discs avoid having to choose between installed games due to storage constraints. The disc itself provides the installation files as needed, leaving more room on the device’s hard drive for other games and apps.

Option to Play Games without an Internet Connection

Being able to access and install games from discs also means gameplay does not require an internet connection for verification purposes. If a user’s broadband goes down, they can still pop in a disc to play their favorite titles offline. This provides a reliable backup plan for enjoying games, even in remote areas with spotty or no connectivity.

Collect Physical Games on Display

For some gamers, owning physical copies feeds a collector mentality where each box holds value as part of a curated game collection. Having the boxes lined up on a shelf can bring enjoyment simply from seeing the library grow over time, similar to collecting movies, music or books.

Part 2: Drawbacks of Physical Games Discs

Swapping Discs Increases Inconvenience

While having the installation files on disc provides storage benefits, it does mean changing discs every time a player wants to jump between titles. Switching games becomes more of a multi-step process than just selecting from a download library. This extra effort can cause some annoyance and delay getting right into gameplay.

Risk of Damage, Loss or Theft of Discs

Unfortunately, plastic discs are not built to last forever. Owners run the risk over time of things like scratches developing which could cause the game to freeze or not load at all. Discs must also be properly stored and cared for to avoid being misplaced or going missing entirely. If stolen, once again the entire game is lost.

Patches and Updates Still Require Downloading

Even with the game installed from a disc, patches with bug fixes and additional content are usually available online through updates. To keep playing the latest verified version, any updates still need to be downloaded over the internet. This means physical copies are not entirely independent from online connectivity needs.

If a player wanted to access the same physical game library on multiple Xbox or PlayStations, the discs must be continually swapped between the machines. Downloading once digitally allows multiple devices simultaneous access, while physical copies are only usable on one at a time.

Part 3: Digital Game Libraries are Always Accessible

Instantly Switch between Installed Games

With a digital library stored on the hard drive, gamers enjoy instant access to their full collection. Rather than getting up to change discs, the home screen provides a launch point for every installed title with just a click or tap of the controller. Loading is near-instant and frictionless compared to swapping media.

Purchasing a digital game allows a player’s Xbox Live or PSN account to install that title on multiple consoles owned by the same person. So one digital copy can effectively be enjoyed by an entire household simultaneously rather than being restricted to a single disc.

Auto-Updating Saves Time and Ensures Latest Versions

As software continues improving, updates bring new features, balance changes and bug fixes. Digitally purchased games are capable of seamlessly downloading updates in the background without requiring any user initiation or disc swapping. This makes the whole process of staying on top of patches largely hands-off.

Access Library Anywhere by Signing into Account

Since a digital library exists virtually in the cloud rather than physically, as long as a player logs into their account they can install and launch any owned games from any Xbox, PlayStation or other supported system. Versatile accessibility provides much greater flexibility than being limited to specific discs at home.

Part 4: Drawbacks to Digital Game Ownership

Games Remain Tied to a Single Account

While convenient, relying on digital downloads means relinquishing ownership of the actual software. Games sit licensed to a single account indefinitely rather than being a tangible owned asset. This precludes re-selling, loaning or transferring digital titles between users like physical media allows.

Large Downloads and Updates Use Data

It can take hours to download some of the latest blockbuster titles, which for those on data caps or metered broadband plans, could eat into a monthly usage allowance very quickly. Maintaining a large library digitally requires sizeable and ongoing bandwidth consumption for updates as well.

Requires Reliable Online Services and Authentication

As with any digital product, access depends on the online storefront continuing to authorize and facilitate downloads. If services change or are discontinued, libraries could potentially be rendered unusable. Gamers lose control over their purchased content compared to physical media ownership.

Storage Space Concerns with Huge File Sizes

Current generation games are installing at 50GB+, and with 4K textures that trend will only continue upwards. Limited internal storage on consoles quickly fills whether using a hard drive or SSD. Deleting installed games to make way for new ones disrupts fluid library access.

No Secondary Market Lowers Competition and Value

Without the option to trade-in digitally, publishers face reduced pressure to offer competitive prices, bundles or sales knowing games can’t be later sold on. Consumers arguably get less for their money up-front versus a used physical market driving values down over time.

Part 5: Weighing Preferences and Home Internet Status

Dependence on a High-Speed Internet Connection

Whether digital game downloads are preferable highly rests on access to stable, high-bandwidth home internet. For those in rural areas or with data caps, physical formats provide a functional offline option that downloads cannot match. Reliable broadband is key for digital convenience.

In a family living arrangement where multiple people play on separate consoles, having one digital license allows all machines simultaneous easy access. Physical discs require swapping or buying duplicate copies for each system to enjoy the same games concurrently.

Budged and Reselling Older Titles

For value-seekers on a tight budget, buying used discs from retailers provides reduced upfront costs. It also means the ability down the line to re-coup at least partial funds by selling titles no longer being played. Digital locks in the full purchase price.

Collecting Box Art and Manuals

Some enjoy assembling a collection not just to play, but also to display. Physical editions facilitate preserving box covers, manuals, maps and extras as part of the gaming memorabilia. Downloads lack these physical elements appealing to completionists.

Multiplayer gaming is a big reason many purchase titles, whether sharing the couch co-op experience locally or teaming up online. Both digital and physical formats provide options, but each comes with multiplayer merits and challenges worth considering:

Nothing beats popping in a disc for an afternoon of split-screen or same-screen fun without setup hassles. Downloads often require configuring game sharing or guest profiles across devices.

Distant Co-Op Flexibility: Digital Wins for Remote Friends

From playing online worldwide with your regular squad to forming pick-up-groups, digital licenses streamline joining friends across consoles without worrying about physical disc ownership matching up.

In a household of gamers on multiple Xbox’s, the ability to share one digital purchase beats buying duplicates or swapping discs constantly between rooms and users. For families, digital sharing value can’t be beat.

LAN Party Considerations; Both Have Upsides

Offline discs work great temporarily without networks, while downloads allow easily carrying whole libraries anywhere via external drives for true LAN gatherings of friends.

Part 7: Balancing storage, connectivity, and libraries

Weighing all factors in the digital vs physical debate comes down to individual priorities and circumstances:

Storage Woes are Real but Can be Managed

External USB drives provide affordable off-console storage that helps digital libraries remain fluidly accessible despite installation size concerns. Organization is key.

Internet Dependence Remains a Digital Weakness

Disc-based games still prove the more reliable option without stable broadband. Mobile hotspots can fill gaps but add costs and speeds may lag. Offline remains king.

Amassed Virtual Collections are Valuable

Once a sizable digital library accumulates over multiple consoles, the accessibility and versatility become quite compelling on their own terms regardless of other pros and cons.