TGS 08: Level-5 set to launch digital distribution service ROID

I think you're too pessimistic towards it. The problem with digital distribution at the moment is that there isn't much competition...and companies are just doing it wrong. Look at Steam, which is by far the best way to release things digitally I have ever seen. It's not that expensive, it's not that troublesome, and it actually gives freedom and rewards the consumer.

Plus, digital distribution will never take over the entire industry. Everyone enjoys holding a physical copy of a game they really love. It's just something that really needs to be worked on. And the more companies that do get behind it, the better it will end up being.

Obviously, though, you will never be able to trade in digital games like you used to be. (but if I'm remembering correctly, when the Orange Box came out you were able to give away your old copy to Half Life 2 to a friend) But the thing with digital distribution (when it is done correctly) is that it will eventually just make games cheaper in general, which makes there to be no reason to trade in games since they'd be cheap to begin with.

I don't know, I'm not the biggest fan of digital distribution(although I do love Steam)...I don't think it's ever going to fully take over the game industry, just like it hasn't fully taken over the music industry. It's just something that when done right is a big reward to consumers, and convenient.

You know what, I'm tired, I'm not even sure if what I said makes any sense, but I said it anyways.

I second, third, and fourth that notion.

Digital distribution just gives the company control after the product leaves their hands. If I want to re-sell my game, give it or lend it to a friend, install it 36 times on the same machine for some reason, or just use the disc itself as a frisbee, that's my fucking business.

I'm a little torn.

I really regret losing the ability to resell old games.

But, i think digital distribution is awesome. Both Steam and GOG.COM are so convenient. I love having almost instant access to any game i've bought.. and having instant access to upgrades, patches, etc. Personally I think the old way to combat bitorrent is to make legitimate games as convenient as torrented ones.. and that needs digital distribuion.

Plus, digital distribution opens up several cool things.
It makes it possible for independent developers to get noticed.
It makes it possible for us to get older games that we can never find in stores. (Ikagura, Rez, Psychonauts, etc..)
It gives games a chance to gain word of mouth success, rather than failing at retail in the first week and never being seen again. (Psychonauts again..)

If you don't like the no-resale factor then I guess something like gametap might be the answer. (rental rather than purchase). Or something like GOG where the games are SO cheap that it doesn't matter.

Maybe systems like Steam should allow us to "trade back" our titles to the system for 10% of their value in points or something...

I got Orange Box second-hand. I play it all the time. I've go no problems at all with it, and it cost me nothing (traded on Goozex).

Of course, that's because it's for the PS3, and there's no "key" or "code" I need to play it. This is why consoles are ahead of the game right now. You won't see an issue like with Spore (limited installs, only one player per copy, etc.) on a gaming console. Eventually, draconian policies on PC games will drive the legitimate buyers to consoles.

All it will take is for a console to allow gaming with mouse/keyboard on everything, and PC games will be history.

people said the same thing about the wii.

Yes, but people want to BE with Wii. It's a feeling of togetherness!

ROID?
Ugh..who wants to be with those awful, miserable little painful things in your ass?

It took me a few seconds to realize that WASN'T a 3rd party classic controller

Actually reminds me of a VAIO.

http://www.slipperybrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/sony-vaio-tp3.jpg

I was thinking of Steroids... but thanks for that image...

@t_m: I do what I can. I hear "roid" used for steroids just as often, too. :S

i inject roids into my roids...so there's that

I don't think hemrhoids is a disease...

@Shag: *sigh*

Whoa and I am going on Saturday. :)

...'cause right now us Yanks can't even afford the box?

now just have them make it funny, and they'll be all set.