Biggest Advantages Physical Games Have Over Digital Games

Key Takeaways

Purchasing a physical disc offers numerous benefits that digital versions simply cannot provide.
From lower prices to the convenience of sharing with friends, physical game copies remain popular in 2024.
Additional advantages of physical versions include faster installation times, reduced requirements for free space, and the ability to install and play games offline.

As a long-time gamer who has seen the evolution of the industry from cartridges to digital downloads, I can confidently say that physical copies still hold a special place in my heart and wallet. The ability to grab games for a fraction of their original price through sales or secondary markets is simply too enticing to ignore. And let’s not forget the joy of popping a disc into my console and instantly playing without worrying about download speeds or server issues.

It appears that the transition to a gaming world solely based on digital platforms is becoming more of a certainty. More and more, publishers and platform owners are opting for digital distribution, advocating for consoles without disc drives, subscription services, and even phasing out physical editions altogether because it’s more profitable for them. In the last few years, significant game launches like Hi-Fi Rush, Diablo 2: Resurrected (except for Switch), Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and Alan Wake 2 (which saw a partial return to physical releases) have initially bypassed physical sales.

Yet, many players still advocate for physical editions, particularly on consoles. While services like Steam have reshaped the mindset of PC gamers, there’s an ongoing debate about digital ownership. It’s been demonstrated through multiple cases that players don’t truly own their digital games — titles have been removed entirely from online stores, and Steam’s user agreement clarifies that players only purchase licenses, not the actual games. So, what are the real benefits of owning a physical game copy in 2024?

1 Collecting And Owning Purposes

For Many, Buying The Physical Disc Means Truly Owning The Game

Biggest Advantages Physical Games Have Over Digital Games

Many gamers feel a strong sense of ownership when they buy a real game disc instead of downloading it, despite understanding that the game may not function forever. This sentiment is especially important for games that require an internet connection or are live-service titles, as they can be taken offline unexpectedly. Recents cases like the sudden closure of Concord and The Crew serve as examples of this issue.

Despite the convenience of digital copies, numerous players derive comfort from the tangible aspect of actual games. Holding something you can physically see, touch, and display with pride on a shelf offers a feeling of security and contentment. To put it another way, owning a full set of a cherished game series, prominently displayed near your gaming setup, is hard to beat when it comes to life’s simple pleasures.

2 Easy To Share

Just Hand Over Your Copy For Friends To Enjoy

One delightful aspect of owning a real game copy lies in its flexibility, allowing you to pass it along to friends without any device-specific limitations during installation. Although digital sharing through account access is an option, it’s fraught with security concerns and constraints like only one activation per device at a time. Giving away the physical version, however, offers a straightforward and stress-free experience.

Using one physical game disc, several individuals can play the game in turns or simultaneously on separate accounts within the same home. Although loaning a copy might slightly impact developers’ sales, it’s an excellent approach for introducing new games to friends or allowing them to test a game before buying it. For budget-conscious gamers, this is a perfect way to share the gaming experience.

3 Getting Games Cheaper

Players Can Snag Games For A Fraction Of The Cost Through Sales Or Secondary Markets

A significant benefit of opting for physical copies instead lies in the opportunity to purchase console games at a significantly reduced cost compared to their original prices. Often, retailers reduce items drastically to sell off stock, enabling savvy shoppers to acquire fairly recent releases for much lower prices than their digital versions.

Moreover, gamers have the flexibility to acquire pre-owned physical games from other sellers at a discount of over 50%. This might not benefit game developers directly, but it’s an excellent choice for budget-conscious individuals or those eager to experiment with various genres without paying the full price. In certain situations, older games that have been removed from digital marketplaces due to licensing problems can only be obtained physically, making secondary markets all the more valuable.

4 Faster Installation

Players Can Install Their Games Up To 50% Faster

Nowadays, many gamers find themselves needing to download significant chunks of a game even when they own the physical copy. This is because of large update files, especially those released on the first day, which can become quite enormous, sparking questions about whether game discs are being manufactured prematurely, before any underlying problems have been fixed and rectified.

In various countries and regions, download speeds for games and updates can vary significantly, leading to a disparity in installation experiences. In many cases, installing a game directly from a disc can be considerably faster than downloading it online. Additionally, players will typically need to free up less space on their console’s hard drive when opting for a disc installation. This can be a significant advantage for players who frequently enjoy a diverse library of games and tend to juggle multiple titles at once, as it helps them manage their storage more efficiently.

5 Playing Without The Internet

Players Can Enjoy Their Games Offline Or Access Day-One Versions At Will

A key perk of owning a physical game copy is the freedom to play it even when your console isn’t connected to the internet. This offline mode can be extremely appealing for gamers who wish to steer clear of potential hindrances caused by server problems or update downloads. However, it should be mentioned that not all physical games will work seamlessly without an online connection; many require a constant internet connection. Yet, single-player games typically let you play them entirely offline, with no need for server connections or updates.

This offline feature holds an exclusive advantage: it lets you access the first-day releases of games that might no longer be accessible digitally. For instance, games such as Cyberpunk 2077 have gone through major changes and upgrades since their debut, making the initial version a distinctive experience. Although it’s not common for many players, there is still a dedicated fanbase who appreciate diving into the unaltered, original versions of certain titles. Consequently, having a physical disc can be a precious resource for individuals passionate about preserving gaming heritage or enjoying a game as it was originally intended.

2024-10-21 13:34