Harsin
01-06-2006, 21:13
Having had Steam throw a hissy fit earlier, and sat here watching Half-Life 2: Episode 1 download at a whopping 12kbps because the servers are getting hammered like Jenna Jameson, I started thinking about the whole deal of digital distribution.
Obviously it's going to happen, all the big companies are keen on it, Sony in particular is starting to bang the drum and MS already have their toes in the water.
Personally I quite like Microsoft's current approach of downloadables but nothing too big. If your Xbox 360 explodes then when you get a replacement it's not going to take you too long to recollect your collection of arcade games. Not so sure I'd like the idea or having to re-download a batch of 'full-size' games though. On the PC this isn't so bad you can backup to CD/DVD but I can;t see anyone releasing a console with this option anytime soon. On the upside if full games did start selling digitally then we likely wouldn't have to put up with rubbish like waiting 6 months for a PAL release (yes I'm looking at you Nintendo).
Let's not also forget online infrastructure, the UK is getting better but I still think we're miles from where we need to be. Also doesn't help that ISPs are shouting about faster broadband on the one hand and then imposing stricter and stricter download caps on the other, oops no more net for you this month because you downloaded the full cutscene version of Final Fantasy 9461. Likewise stress on the sellers end is still a factor, I'm sure those of you who tried to download the Halo 3 trailer on release all remember getting speeds that would have made a 56k-er cry, now imagine if that had been the actual Halo 3 game being released.
The thing that puts me off most about online distribution though is the fact that you're essentially stuck with the product. Even with the best will in the world, reading all the reviews, I bet you've bought a few duffers. At least at the moment you have the option of flogging it on to recoup some of your investment.
Obviously it's going to happen, all the big companies are keen on it, Sony in particular is starting to bang the drum and MS already have their toes in the water.
Personally I quite like Microsoft's current approach of downloadables but nothing too big. If your Xbox 360 explodes then when you get a replacement it's not going to take you too long to recollect your collection of arcade games. Not so sure I'd like the idea or having to re-download a batch of 'full-size' games though. On the PC this isn't so bad you can backup to CD/DVD but I can;t see anyone releasing a console with this option anytime soon. On the upside if full games did start selling digitally then we likely wouldn't have to put up with rubbish like waiting 6 months for a PAL release (yes I'm looking at you Nintendo).
Let's not also forget online infrastructure, the UK is getting better but I still think we're miles from where we need to be. Also doesn't help that ISPs are shouting about faster broadband on the one hand and then imposing stricter and stricter download caps on the other, oops no more net for you this month because you downloaded the full cutscene version of Final Fantasy 9461. Likewise stress on the sellers end is still a factor, I'm sure those of you who tried to download the Halo 3 trailer on release all remember getting speeds that would have made a 56k-er cry, now imagine if that had been the actual Halo 3 game being released.
The thing that puts me off most about online distribution though is the fact that you're essentially stuck with the product. Even with the best will in the world, reading all the reviews, I bet you've bought a few duffers. At least at the moment you have the option of flogging it on to recoup some of your investment.