Really digging downloadable games lately

[nacthenud]

Despite the wealth of big-name blockbuster games coming out lately, many of which are sitting in my backlog on the shelf, I really find myself frequently turning to downloaded games more and more and spending probably more on the online marketplaces than on retail.

Maybe it's the lower price points that drives me to justify a small purchase here and there. Maybe it's the anonymity of the purchase because my wife won't see another game case sitting on the shelves. Maybe it's the convenience of having it just sitting there ready to go whenever I am. Maybe it's the lack of time for gaming these days that drives me towards the quick fixes. Maybe it's the purity of the gameplay without all the filler and chore-work.

In reality it's likely a combination of all of the above. All I know is that along with L.A. Noire and Portal 2, my wishlist is chalk full of games like Gattling Gears and Outland.

The fact that there are games like Borderlands available to download on Games on Demand for $19.99 also doesn't bode well for my self-control.

A couple of years ago, I was really shy of digital downloads. The reality is though, that I never trade my games in, maybe one in twenty gets borrowed by a friend and I really like the convenience of having the games on the hard drive.

I think I'm ready for a digital distribution gaming world so long as DRM doesn't become too ridiculous (like with a handful of PSN titles like Final Fight).

[Setharion]

I think for me what i love are the quick hit games that are out via XBLA. Braid, Limbo, Outland which looks to be incredible since i tried the trial the other day, and other XBLA games...these little games are really really enjoyable and perfect pricepoints, im with you on that.

I dont know how ready i am for console gaming to be 100% DD, i do use steam and i do like it but i do feel a part of me missing the whole package aspect.

I guess for me id love and hope there will always be some sort of non DD purchases, but im definitly liking it for smaller gaming purchases on XBLA in a huge way.

If they can make a more elaborate way of showing off your DD games, i think they could sucker me into it even more. Like if they can jazz up the whole process so you can browse digital games like youre browsing them at your house maybe, where you can see them nicely. That would really pull me in even further.

[nacthenud]

I like the PS3's method of sorting your digital games. With a click of a button I can toggle between sorting alphabetically, download date or by order played with the most recent games first. Nice little background scene and music that play while a game is highlighted. What more could you want in terms of displaying the games, Seth?

[Setharion]

Well the thing i like is how gog.com does theirs, they have like a wooden shelf type thing that displays your game boxes. Its kinda cool, simple but cool have they changed the PSN method Nac? I actually havent fired my PS3 up in awhile since starting Rift, and then with PSN being down i hadnt made an attempt either. But its been a bit since my PS3 has been on so if theres a change to their display method ill be curious to see it.

[nacthenud]

No changes - just the XMB. But the XMB does it's thing well.

[Sondiame]

Downloadable games been getting me too. What they should do is release more old gen games like Matrix: Path of Neo And the Oddworld series.

[Tomtin]

I have a love/hate relationship with Steam due to it's awesome downloadable games and sales.

[potterscrow]

Unless I can get a game cheaply there is no way I want to or will go the digital route. I am not a big fan of digital distribution at all. I do like the convenience but it never really feels like it is mine. At least with my music there is portable devices that I can use to take my music wherever I want. I can't do that with these games. I can also burn the music on cds but a game is on my hard drive and that is it. I really have no control of MY game that I bought.

[Tomtin]

^You can make backup discs of games.

[potterscrow]

How would I do that with let's say Alan Wake which is the only 360 game I have digitally besides arcade games.

[Phaseknox]

I'm old school and still like to buy physical copies of games and own them in physical form. The same is true with music CDs. While downloadable games can be fun every so often, I still spend the majority of my time playing big retail releases. When I want to play smaller scale games, I usually play them on my DS. My HD consoles are for more big scale epic experiences.