Buying/Downloading from Company Homepage?

[The Court Jester]

What do you guys (and gals) think about the idea of downloading/buying games right from the companies site?

I noticed this with Empire Earth II ... you can pay for the game from their website and download it from there ... no c.d. required :eek: to play. I think it could be a great idea, under the condition that when you "pay" for it, you get a code so that you can download it onto more than one computer in your house. If you had to pay (eg.) $50 per computer, that would really suck :(

(I say this, 'cause I have 3 computers that 'should' play the game, and I'm working on networking them - by the end of the year or sooner)

[maucat]

I think it's a brilliant idea. We wouldn't have to wait for months longer in the UK to get the game like we did with COTN and it would also ensure that there was common pricing as opposed to being able to buy it cheaper as certain outlets. There shouldn't be any problem either with networked computers or with separate computers if there was a code supplied with the download.

[ladyphoenix]

Maybe I'm just horribly elitist and old-fashioned, but I like having a game box and a CD (or DVD) case in my hands. Gives me a warm, happy "I own you" feeling that downloading a game never does.

And yes, I have purchased and downloaded games from company websites before, so I have experience with which to compare. :)

[CaitGrey]

I like having a game box and a CD (or DVD) case in my hands.
And a manual to read, please! Printed, on paper.

[Keith]

I'd rather have the box, disc, and any other material the game comes with as it would when you purchase it in a store.

I'll order something online, but I won't buy a game via download.

[maucat]

I'd rather have the box, disc, and any other material the game comes with as it would when you purchase it in a store.

I'll order something online, but I won't buy a game via download.

I suppose Keith that I have to concede you have a point there. If I buy the game it's always mine. If I download it I am subject to the whims of my computer which has been known to dare to disobey me.

[King Faticus]

besides if you do it that way isn't the game going to be more suceptible of being pirated by illigal hackers who illegaly transfer the game via the internet
and they live in their illegal evil dark tower of illegalness:mad:

although I guess the same risk applies if a hacker get's their hands on a disk but atleast they will have to PAY for it....:D

[maucat]

I take great joy and pleasure in actually possessing things. I suppose I feel that if something only exists on my computer and I can't touch or feel it I feel it's not 'real'. It's like borrrowing a book from the library, it's not the same as having your own copy.

[homegrown]

Save the Trees!

I love the download idea, couldn't care less about the box unless you get something else in it, and the manual, seriously, what a waste. They are never current to the release version because the deadline on print is before feature lock. The included PDF manuals however generally *are* current to the final version. If you want a printed manual, print it yourself. That's what PDF are for. :P Seriously, RTFM is an acronym because no one does.

:D

[Thucydides]

Save the Trees!

Keep the sustainable foresty industry in business...

I have had several bad, bad experiences with downloads, most recently with McAftee, and the aftersales service is generally poor. In addition and perhaps more seriously, not everyone pays for a permament and unlimited amount of download time. So if you donload a large game you pay extra for the download time.

I will now only buy the full quid.

[Nero Would]

I love the download idea, couldn't care less about the box unless you get something else in it, and the manual, seriously, what a waste. They are never current to the release version because the deadline on print is before feature lock. The included PDF manuals however generally *are* current to the final version. If you want a printed manual, print it yourself. That's what PDF are for. :D
As I wrote in the thread on manuals, I like a printed manual for the first couple of weeks while I'm learning the game. But as several people pointed out, the time of full printed manuals is pretty much over, so I don't think the manual is a reason to choose the physical copy of the game over a paid-for download.

The problem with some downloaded software is the antipiracy measures that the publisher includes. Usually it is possible to reinstall the downloaded software after a reformat of the hard drive, or when moving to a new PC, but that process can sometimes be a hassle. My real worry is what happens if by the time I want to reinstall the software, the publisher has gone out of business, or just can't be bothered to support the activation process for an old product that isn't generating revenue.

I realise that CD based antipiracy measures also cause problems (although I've never had one) and that CDs can be lost or become unreadable (also hasn't happened to me). So I might be worrying about the wrong thing. Still, I feel safer with a real CD.

[homegrown]

As I wrote in the thread on manuals, I like a printed manual for the first couple of weeks while I'm learning the game. But as several people pointed out, the time of full printed manuals is pretty much over, so I don't think the manual is a reason to choose the physical copy of the game over a paid-for download.

The problem with some downloaded software is the antipiracy measures that the publisher includes. Usually it is possible to reinstall the downloaded software after a reformat of the hard drive, or when moving to a new PC, but that process can sometimes be a hassle. My real worry is what happens if by the time I want to reinstall the software, the publisher has gone out of business, or just can't be bothered to support the activation process for an old product that isn't generating revenue.

I realise that CD based antipiracy measures also cause problems (although I've never had one) and that CDs can be lost or become unreadable (also hasn't happened to me). So I might be worrying about the wrong thing. Still, I feel safer with a real CD.

These are some really good points. I try to look at it as a technology in progress. As more and more people are connected with broadband and even wireless, the act of downloading a gigabyte of game will be less painful. In addition, I do like having the option of having a CD mailed to me for a small additional charge becuz stuff does happen and you have to reinstall windows. :eek:

[ladyphoenix]

There's also the problem I have had in the past with downloading applications from a company website. It's mostly due to my own disorganization and boneheadedness, but if you don't make real sure to put that serial number or code somewhere you cn find it, you can end up having to purchase the program AGAIN, which SUCKS. I like having a CD case with the number conveniently on it already, so I can't lose it.

[The Court Jester]

Good posts ...

I am leary for the same reason as you guys ... that NOT having a c.d. could be hazardous after the game has lost its shine (shall we say) and isn't generating the huge bucks, and becomes the "back burner" item. Being able to go back and re-download it could prove impossible if the company no longer supports its game and/or the company has closed/gone under or been bought out ... all very real possibilities in todays market.

I like having my c.d., which I can carry from machine to machine and play on whichever one is not "occupied" ... always an issue when you have 6 people living in one house ALL wanting time on a machine :S C.d.'s however just love to get scratched or chipped/cracked so easily, and having to have the c.d. in the machine to play the game is also a big pain in the butt. It helps speed up the wearing process on the rom-drive as well as the other problems (I just wrote about).

Here's a "what if" scenario ...

- You purchase your game at a local store (like we do now)
- You are required to connect to the/an on-line company for
- a "game code" that is good for one address only
- a "game code" that is good for one user only
- a "game code" that is good for one computer only

Something like that ... where the original code comes with the game, but additional codes for other computers or other addresses would cost the user (say) an additional $10 or something ... the safeguards would be so that my code for my game in my city would NOT be useable for a game in your city 30 miles away, or across the ocean ... could use the postal/zip code for identification ... as well as your e-mail address and a login code like we have for accessing a forum like this one !!!

As for the problem with download times and costs ... I can see this being annoying. Somehow I had forgotten that some people are still using old/slow modems ... it's been so long I just assumed everyone would be more up to date, and I appologyse (sp?). With todays games requiring such up-to-date machines, I guess I was assuming all playing would have one, which would probably have a DSL modem and have atleast a highspeed connection ... how people can get by with old machines and slow modems is almost mindboggling, but it seems it still happens. Hey, money is ALWAYS an issue, even with me (who just works part time :( )

In general, I think some hybrid idea could be addopted to cut into the piracy issue and yet still allow legitimate users more freedom and access with their game (like the beginning concept above). I wouldn't mind having to have my computer do a 'handshake' to a company website in order for me to have the priviledge to play without the c.d. in the machine ... or after the initial start up would not need the c.d. to continue. As long as the program "awknowledges" that you have the c.d., you have identified yourself to the website, and are a legitimate user, then the game plays and you can take your c.d. out and save on wear and tear on your machine.

Anyway ... great posts all ... thanks for taking the time :)

[The Court Jester]

Oh, I like having a manual too ... so I can go back and read it while lying in bed 10 years later and my interest in the game has either come back or is still there. Heck, I'm reading the manual for the original "Mech Commander" game, and it has to be close to 10 years old. I still play the game, but not as often as before. It's always nice to go back and read something that you have missed before and/or finding out something new about the game. I can see that happening with new games too, but I spend so much time on this machine already, who wants to be sitting here another 20 hours a week reading the online manual? Not me :(

[The Court Jester]

Oh, I like having a manual too ... so I can go back and read it while lying in bed 10 years later and my interest in the game has either come back or is still there. Heck, I'm reading the manual for the original "Mech Commander" game, and it has to be close to 10 years old. I still play the game, but not as often as before.
It's always nice to go back and read something that you have missed before and/or finding out something new about the game. I can see that happening with new games too, but I spend so much time on this machine already, who wants to be sitting here another 20 hours a week reading the online manual? Not me :( Besides, it also gives me something interesting to read when I'm stuck in the john for more than 2 minutes ... :D

[Schmophit]

but if you don't make real sure to put that serial number or code somewhere you cn find it, you can end up having to purchase the program AGAIN, which SUCKS. I like having a CD case with the number conveniently on it already, so I can't lose it.LOL, been there, done that, many times :( It is possible to get new codes sent to your e-mail, but they'll only usually do that for free once or twice.

And it is definitely, so much nicer to have a game physically there in your hand, a certain satisfaction of "THAT'S MINE" :D

And a good manual is a must :)