I’ve been having this debate with a friend about the differences between owning digital games through platforms like Game Pass versus having physical copies. He believes that with digital games, you really don’t own anything and could lose access anytime, which makes paying for Game Pass a bad idea. His argument is that physical copies provide you with a true sense of ownership since you can always play them as long as you have the disc. On the other hand, I think that regardless of whether the game is digital or physical, what we really buy is just a license to use the game, which companies can revoke at any time. I mentioned that even physical copies could be rendered unplayable if a hardware ban occurs. So, I wanted to ask: Does it really matter if a game is digital or physical in terms of ownership? Can developers block access to physical copies without requiring a new console? And should we genuinely worry about losing our games, whether they’re digital or physical?
4 Answers
It’s frustrating to think that despite buying a physical game, you might still need the internet for patches or even access. Like you said about banning hardware, that’s a justifiable concern. But it’s also not like you actually own anything, since the EULA almost always states that. Just seems like a slippery slope ahead for both digital and physical copies.
Ultimately, it’s a good mix of both worlds for me. Some games I buy physical; some, like indie titles, are easier as digital.
I think your friend’s concerns about digital ownership are somewhat valid, but a lot of fear about it is explained away. No major platform has really pulled games without notice so far. However, I’m not a fan of subscription models like Game Pass. They change how people consume games and could affect overall game quality. I feel like traditional methods had more value in ownership, and every subscription just feels like renting.
That’s true; places like GOG let you download games you own, which is reassuring. But it’s still a gamble if services shut down. We need to be cautious about how much we invest in subscriptions.
Exactly! We could see a future where digital ownership fades and it’s all about subscriptions. Kind of tiring, really.
Honestly, it seems like digital gaming is here to stay, especially on PC where it’s pretty much all digital now. Most games on consoles are also moving that way, and soon, we might not even see disk drives on new consoles. I’ve switched to mostly digital myself because it’s just easier, but I totally get the concern about not actually ‘owning’ your games. Still, I think game prices and the ability to resell physical copies are the real issues.
Yeah, physical copies used to feel like true ownership, but these days, even discs often require downloads and patches. Ultimately, as long as you have the game installed, the original disk kinda just becomes a fancy key.
Plus, with digital games, you don’t have to worry about scratches or losing the disk. It’s a trade-off for sure, but convenience is hard to ignore.
In modern gaming, physical vs. digital really doesn’t change much. Often if you buy a physical game, you still have to download content. And even if you ‘own’ a disc, they can still revoke your access if they choose to. We’ve seen it happen with titles going offline, like with The Crew. Definitely, think ahead about how you want to buy games in this evolving landscape.
True, and it’s getting harder to just rely on physical. Like, a lot of games are practically unplayable offline now.
Right, it’s like we’re just borrowing the rights to play at this point. Even older games are losing that touch when it comes to playability.
Exactly! It feels like as we move forward, the concept of ownership in gaming is becoming more diluted. Best to ensure what you’re buying aligns with your values!