220°

PlayStation 3: retail disc vs. digital delivery

What are the advantages of a PSN download over a disc copy? Do games run better from hard drive? Digital Foundry investigates.

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eurogamer.net
Sandmano4008d ago

I will always be retail disc, there's just no trusting the hardware to keep the software intact.

iGAM3R-VIII4008d ago

Agreed This actually a really great observation,this means that downloading games from the XBL Store or the PSN store the load times are faster and gameplay is much better, smart analysis

thechosenone4007d ago (Edited 4007d ago )

If the game manages to get corrupted for whatever reason there should be a way of repairing just those game files similar to the way that Steam does it or if worst comes to worst you can just re-download the entire game, either way it's not a big deal. I have 180 games in my Steam account and love just being able to click on any one game and have it start right up. The other benefits of digital only games are not having to worry about scratches/smudges or cracked/chipped discs.

kneon4007d ago

The risk of disk damage is overblown and almost entirely up to the user. Between music, movies and software I must have used 1000's of disks and I've never had one damaged if fail.

thechosenone4006d ago (Edited 4006d ago )

I guess you never owned an xbox then.

New Xbox 360 Slim Disc Scratch Test
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

GuyThatPlaysGames4007d ago

I'm with you. There's nothing like having a hard-copy of a game. I honestly haven't noticed any difference in performance or graphics from a PSN downloaded game to a hard-copy of the same game. But then again that's just me.

slapedurmomsace4007d ago

@Sandmano, completely agree, and I'll add if your ISP has data caps, digital can become a problem real quick. If you do anything else, game online, netflix, stream music etc....well you can blow those caps pretty quick. And games are only getting bigger. If people like digital more power to them, but for me, just allow me to install the game onto my hard drive and I'll enjoy the benefits of both worlds.

BattleAxe4007d ago

I've swapped over almost my entire PS3 collection to digital downloads. I've got a 500GB HDD, and it just makes things so much easier. I don't have to have game cases taking up space, and with having all of my games on my hard drive, I find that I'm more likely to play games that I otherwise would have just let sit on the shelf. Also, when you get older, it doesn't look good to have video games all over the place when you have the ladies over for the night, so having everything on my HDD works out well.

I've had my home broken into before where I had all of my PS2 games stolen, but if that ever happens with my PS3, I just buy a new console and re-download my games. I also find that I waste less money with digital downloads, since every once in a while I would get pissed off with a game and would trade it in, only to re-buy that very same game 6 months or a year later because I regretted my decision, well this fixes that problem.

Minato-Namikaze4007d ago

I suggest you find different ladies or find you a gamer girl that accepts your habits.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4006d ago
jdktech20104007d ago

It's funny because on PC I prefer digital distribution but on consoles, I prefer having the disc. That being said, I'll buy whichever is a better deal cost wise since I don't see too large of a downside to either.

peowpeow4007d ago

So if it's done well then digital is quite good and maybe preferable. I agree I love my steam collection but have not and never will download a retail game on my PS3

LOGICWINS4007d ago (Edited 4007d ago )

If you have fast Internet and a big ass hardrive(500GB or more), digital delivery is the way to go. Don't have to leave the house, nor do I have to wait for Amazon to ship the game to me.

@OVOXO_Mike- Your not seeing a difference because you might still be using the stock hardrive in your PS3. I upgraded my PS3 with a Seagate Momentus XT Solid State Hybrid hardrive. Runs much faster than the stock Seagate PS3 hardrive. In GTA4, objects in the distance load much quicker than before. The adaptive memory makes it perform better the more you use it. Think of it as muscle memory, but for a hardrive.

izumo_lee4007d ago

Mostly buy retail but when games are released that do not have a retail disc like Arcana Hearts,One Piece, or Okami than buying in digital is the way cause it is the only way to get these games.

Man-E-Faces4007d ago (Edited 4007d ago )

I have a physical disc collectors edition of Arcana Hearts 3, and regular disc copies of Wipeout XL/Fury, Ratchet & Clank Quest for Booty. I hope to import soon the upcoming One Piece 2, Kens Rage 2 which is already out from Europe. You have to keep track nowadays as some games and PSN only games like Darkstalkers HD are getting physical releases in Asia, Europe with us here in the states getting digital only. Also this is a nice perk of the PS3,Vita and hopefully PS4 is the option to import almost any game and get those physical copies when available.

young7yang4007d ago (Edited 4007d ago )

all the above mentioned games have been released in Asia and japan..

I personally own Okami HD the disc addition and yes it is in English and Japanese..

izumo_lee4007d ago

I know but the problem is that i live in Nth America that these games are only released in digital form. Can i import these yeah sure but at times shipping cost for imported games can be ridiculous.

Bought Project Diva f & Senran Kagura vs. for about $80 each after all the costs.

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100°

6 Fun Games Where You Actually Play As The Bad Guy

While the mainstream media always sees things turning in favor of the hero, here are 6 games that own being a bad guy.

Profchaos3h ago

Pretty much all of these games listed are based around a morality system you don't have to be bad and you don't have to be good.

It seems to have left out some real amazing games like red dead redemption 1/2,ass effect and true crime la/ny

Tacoboto2h ago

Armored Core VI?

Ok, I'm really missing something here. Just beat chapter 3 earlier this evening, unlocked A-rank Arena fights. I'm not seeing or sensing any branching paths or morality system and I've done every side mission and arena fight available to me up to that fight.

Is something big coming soon to branch the story?

banger882h ago

No mention of Grand Theft Auto? Saints Row (original trilogy), Manhunt? Also The Suffering (depending on the ending you get).

130°

Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Video games are no longer just a simple past time. Today's games are evolving into true works of art. Offering intriguing narratives, cinematic setpieces, and profound messages, games can entertain us for hundreds of hours.

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wealthofgeeks.com
Chard20h ago(Edited 20h ago)

I never got around to mass effect - I’m skeptical that it would hold up if I were to try it now

Furesis19h ago

I would say it does. The combat is a bit shit for todays standards but everything else is great.

anast17h ago

It's worth a play through today.

gold_drake11h ago

the first one is abit the odd one out but after u finished it, believe it it gets tremendously better and better

90°

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron - Coming Back for a New Generation

Originally launched in 2011, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is coming to Nintendo Switch, so It's time to look back at the original.

jznrpg1d 14h ago

Still have my ps3 copies. Bought it at launch and another one when I found it cheap and in perfect condition about 10 years ago. I wouldn’t buy it on Switch but if they made a PS5 version I would. I still have one of my PS3 Fats hooked up so good to go either way.

darthv721d 14h ago

Id play it again on the switch. I wished my 360 version was bc but this is still a good way to play.