For The Mag: Would you go disc-less?

[Dave Shaw]

Hi all!

For the letters page of issue 101, our burning issue is simple - if the rumours that Microsoft's next console is download only come true, will you still take the plunge?

What level of reduction in software prices do you think is necessary to compensate for no longer owning a copy of each game? Do you think the convenience would be worth it? Will you internet connection hold out? Will DLC run rife? We need to know!

[Mullered Moose]

No I wouldn't be happy with download only, the competition for price would become entirely redundant and I really can't see MS passing on the benefits of reduced costs to their customers; and as I've said elsewhere there are still too many gamers who don't have tinternet at all; MS would be idiots to cut them off.

[ClownTrousers]

It won't be - Microsoft are not that stupid to lose a huge market chunk.

Gears of War 3 just released on On Demand for 70 euro - 10 euro more than RRP at launch a year ago. And that is WITH retail competition. So, if they were to be stupid and have download only, I wouldn't buy it. I'd buy a PS, or a PC, or a Valve Box, or whatever.

[Bob]

They really are clueless.

Surely iTunes has shown how to win the download market.

Make it available at the same time as the high street. Make it cheap or cheaper.. Typically CDs are about £8-£10 in HMV on release.. iTunes is nearly always £7.99.. Amazon have a weekly selection at £5 of new releases.

Anyhow.. Download only Console? Never going to happen... Well at least not next generation. It just doesn't make sense.. This gen games are increasingly more than a DVD .. next gen games are presumably going to be bigger and as such take much more downloading.. and not even everyones online.

[The-Marb]

Id rather not to be honest. Well heres why.

A) i quite like the idea of the box and a download game/film/cd never quite feels as satisfying.

B) like people have said Microsoft have repeatedly failed to understand that download should be cheaper (like CT and Bob pointed out) and i dont want to pay £60 quid for a title i cant hold in my hand.

Dont think it will happen though, like CT said they would cut so many potential customers out by doing it. It seems at odds with thier attepmts at getting everyone and thier uncle on board with Kinect, TV, Youtube, facebook, etc.

[Mullered Moose]

What am I, chopped liver?

[Dynamite Dan]

I've got lucky this by being able to own all the consoles (To some extent) but if any of them went download only I would definitely go towards a different machine. I don't have a reliable enough connection to even consider downloading a full game, XBLA games and DLC takes long enough as it is.

[The-Marb]

What am I, chopped liver?

ha...yes. Sorry Mullered...dont cry

[j2000_nr]

Honestly, I don't think that I'd mind all that much. I have no problem with only d/l games, I use Xbox Live Arcade, I buy DLC so I don't really see how this is any different. I'm lucky enough to have a semi - decent interwebs connection, which is probably colouring my view somewhat. But when it comes down to price, just check out Steam (or any other d/l site) most of their 'proper' games are releasing in the £30 - £35 region. Which I would be happy to pay for a title on NextBox, it's what I pay for a game now and I can't imagine that the production, transport etc... costs add on that much. For this to work Games on Demand need to start charging realistic prices though, I saw the GOW3 title at £49.99 and laughed, not going to happen (I would love to know how many people have actually paid that for it!).

[Dante3000]

I'm a huge renter and second hand buyer so download only would put an end to that, I don't think I'd be able to buy as many games and I definately wouldn't want to experiment with new titles. I think it's bad all round really

[Mullered Moose]

What am I, chopped liver?

ha...yes. Sorry Mullered...dont cry

It's ok mate.

[mudbone]

Yeah.....I would go download only..... Howd'ya like them apples????


I have probably downloaded about 15 games off 'games-on-demand'. Fair enough, they were all about same as retail/pre-owned prices at the time. Hitman: Blood Money, Deadly Premonition, Borderlands were about £10-15 in shops. However, this isn't the reason I purchased said games.
I work a hell of a lot, I only get to play xbox after midnight most nights, and don't really have the time to dive into town. I don't drive, so cost of transport adds up also. I check G-O-D every Tue morn. If I fancy anything new, I start download and the game is ready for when i finish work.

Don't get me wrong... The prices must be more cost effective for me in a next-gen console as well. But i put it more down to convenience than anything else.

So there !!!!!!

[Palerider_GB]

I'd be happy to go disc-less.

Assuming that the pricing is done right. Otherwise I'd just buy a gaming PC and use that instead.

[jdanddiet]

I'd have to change by broadband limit that's for sure!

[McGunslinger]

Wouldn't be happy with download only. I'm something of a hoarder and never trade games in so although I haven't counted I'm sure I have about a hundred 360 games. Without physical copies the enjoyment of buying a game would be greatly diminished for me and I'd purchase far fewer.
Also if rumours of a no disc X-Box are true, and rumours of a Steam Box are also true its a no brainer which company I would trust to provide the best service, and it isn't the one that charges more for a Game on Demand than a retail copy costs.