Buy Downloadable online games VS CD

This is a very noobish question but what are the benefits of buying a downloadable game (L4D 2) online such as steam versus buying the actual disk at a game store (EB Games) in terms of speed of the game.

What I always worry is that if I buy a game from a local store, will I always have to have the CD in the computer when I am playing? Because sometimes I feel as though that slows down loading (accounts for a spinning disk) compared to if the game was digitally downloaded.
Also having a CD eats battery - not that I game off battery.


But yeah, in terms of performance, should I buy a digital copy of a game or a hard copy? Or will it matter at all.

Thanks guys!

 

There will be no difference in terms of performance with digital versus physical.

Most all pc games install to your hdd, and the dvd requirement is usually only a DRM disc check.

Each have their own advantages though,

Digital
1. Skip the stores, almost instant access.
2. Limited DRM, disc checks etc. (Most of the time)
3. Unbeatable prices occasionally.

Physical
1. Box, manual, disc
2. No downloading huge files.
3. Ability to resale.

Personally, I usually only buy digital copies during sales. If it is full price, I'd rather have a box copy. As far as L4D2 goes, even if you buy a box copy, it will be a digital copy. All valve games are tied into Steam, so you will have both formats.

 

What games are you buying on CD's? Classics?

In any case hard copy has some value, digital download does not. Simple as that.

 

Depends on the game too, some hard copy games are tied to your STEAM account which means no reselling. An example of a game like this is Modern Warfare 2.

 

Digital Version: No disc(s) to lose or scratch beyond recognition
Digital Version: No DRM (Valve games only, unless you consider Steam to be DRM)
Physical Version: You get to hold it in your hand

There aren't any real performance boosts, other than skipping the 10 seconds (at most) for a DRM DVD check on the physical version before it launches.

 

I pledge to go digital exclusively whenever possible.

 

I <3 Steam. I actually re-purchased CoD4 last year on my Steam account because my retail copy kept getting lost, and I hated having to keep the disk in the drive. Ended up selling the retail copy to a friend.

 

I prefer Cds, Hard copy nver gets lost...

 

I prefer digital copies. Tied to an account, just don't forget the acct credentials!

Performance there is no difference for reasons already stated above. If I know a retail game will be tied digitally I usually go retail b/c I can always get good deals, reward points, etc. It's a matter of preference and as many retail games have disc checks, I do not like having my disc in my drive 24/7 so steam/D2D are popular choices..

 

This is really informative thing you guys provide here. Really appreciate it.

 

i forgot i even bought l4d retail untill i found the box in my room the other day. i prefer downloading my games unless retail price is lower.

 

I prefer getting the retail version since my internet speed at home is freakishly slow. However, here I'm using my uni internet and it's very fast so I tend to just buy digital copies through steam since I really hate games that requires discs to play >.>

 

Biggest thing is just waiting for the download as it takes forever to download some of these newer games depending on your connection.

 

Since good Internet bandwidth is so freakishly expensive, I prefer buying CDs, unless it's some ridiculous STEAM sale.

 

There's no difference whatsoever in performance -- it's been years since a game has actually had to read anything other than DRM data from a DVD.

When buying digital content, be sure to read the license. Quite often, you do not truly own anything you "buy", you are merely licensing the usage and this can be terminated at the seller's discretion. Steam is notorious for this: if they believe that you're cheating or you buy a game from the wrong place or anything of the sort, they can terminate your access to all games on your account and there's nothing you can do about it short of taking them to court (see this thread for an example) and arguing that you did not violate the terms of the agreement. Physical licenses are often equally draconian, but to enforce them in most games, the publishers are the ones who would have to go to take you to court and this is very rare. With digital ones, they need only push a button -- they're effectively judge, jury and executioner.

 

as everyone has said there is no difference in performance. however, i like to store my video game collections on my book shelf. mainly cause, i dont have many books and they look empty. but thing is they will always be there. a hard copy you can use as many times as you want from now to eternity. with digital there is always a possiblity that the source will fail, or that they wont let you download the game anymore. also you dont get pretty boxes.

 

I buy digital when Steam, Impulse, D2D or gog.com have their crazy sales...and gog.com is good for some older, hard to find games...

But if there's no sale, I buy the boxed DVD...usually from eBay...it saves me the download time...and sometimes, I shuffle installations from internal to external HDDs and vice versa...much quicker with an optical disc...and less importantly, I'm a luddite and I've loved carrying a box around since I began buying games in the 80's...before even the advent of bulletin boards and digital distribution couldn't be imagined...

By the way, I have lots and lots of games installed on my laptop that came in boxes or that I downloaded, and NONE require an optical disc in the tray...in fact, they all launch with a double-click of their shortcut...(and for the ones on the external HDD, you obviously have to connect the external HDD)...laptop gaming easier than a console...

 

I accept with information igital
1. Skip the stores, almost instant access.
2. Limited DRM, disc checks etc. (Most of the time)
3. Unbeatable prices occasionally.
Physical
1. Box, manual, disc
2. No downloading huge files.
3. Ability to resale.