Digital Download vs PC DVD

is it better to buy the PC DVD version?
i ask this because the digital downloads i purchased from direct2drive
u can only reinstall 3 times
after which u have to email their customer support to get a new license key
which usually takes about 2 days or more
a real pain in the ###

if u purchase a DVD version, how many times can u reinstall the game before u have to contact customer support for new license?

 

as many times as you like...

One great option is Steam, games are attached to your account forever, so if you ever reformat or buy a new PC, you can re download and reinstall the game.

 

I still buy game dvds and buy that odd game or two off of steam. I don't think digital download has quite taken over yet but it will eventually. When it does I think it will be kickass. I think both options are as good as the other right now.

Steam > Direct2Drive

 

since I opened an account on Steam I had no more reason to buy a game phisically. Years ago we had manuals that were reason enough to buy the games, but today... pfeh.

The real problem is that Steam make buying a game too easy. I have to control myself to not charge too much my credit card

 

I've made purchases from D2D, and you an install as many times as you want. I always burn the files to a DVD anyway.

 

I prefer buying the DVD because I like having a physical copy of my games. However, I think the way Steam does things is great and I have no problem with that method. Still, there's something nice about having the discs...

 

i thought so too... i was really suprised... in fact this was why D2D was my first choice - but no more now

r u sure cause i tried reinstalling splinter cell double agent and tomb raider anniversary on vista with NIS08 active (although i didnt try disabling the antivirus and firewall) and it said my license had expired or something like that...
i contacted their support but i still havent been able to activate the game
although i have taken the shortcut since they are wasting my time...

try reinstalling a game three times and see for ur self...

 

Steam over everything.. Disks get scratched, require the CD to play (most of the time), they can shatter... Steam is much better, you download the game, you can download it to unlimited number of PC's, and they all can play the game at the same time, just not online..
You never have to worry about updates since steam auto updates whenever there's one available, (unless you turn the feature off).

But with ISP's now running out of bandwidth, and attempting to charge overages on download usage, I'm not quite shure if it will be the new medium any time soon..

 

In most cases I prefer DVD because then I can always resell it once I finish the game. Except when I know its a classic (i.e. Half-Life 2), then I don't mind downloading it from places like Steam because I know I'll play it again at some point, and chances are there'll be mods down the road to make it fun to replay again anyhow.

I also backup my downloaded games to an external HDD anyhow, so I can always reinstall without need to redownload (or at least bulk of the files).

Usually with the DVD you can reinstall as many times as you want. At least in the past it didn't matter. But these days who knows? Games like Bioshock monitor it. Don't get me started on all this copy protection crap either. I have spent tens of thousands of dollars on games over the years (literally) and it pisses me off that I have to jump through hoops half the time these days to make them run.

 

At this moment I prefer both, in that I am running out of room on my laptop. I like DD of Steam because it is easy to get what you want when you want it. The good this about the actually DVD is that I buy most of my games use and it is hella cheap for me that way. So they have their pro and cons...

 

I agree with unknown555525. I only wish there were more games i wanted to play that were available on steam.

Of course, the major drawback means no borrowing/lending games.

 

That, and a weekend LAN party gets difficult when you want to play a steam game, and one or two people don't own it. CD's used to remedy that easily!

Otherwise, Steam all the way! No scratches, no license issues, forever available!

 

if i had a choice and costs were the same then i'll get the dvd version instead. there's special feeling you get when opening fresh new box of goodies

 

That is so true...if the prices are about the same then i would usually buy the disc version.

 

Guys,

Keep the discussion legal or the thread will be closed.

Thx
Kdawgca

 

Steam games don't blow up in your drive...

 

r u for real?!

when did anyone mention anything illegal?!

we are simply comparing "digital download" to "pc dvd"


is this guy for real?!

 

The offending posts were deleted.

 

Hello Surefire,

I deleted a post where someone was telling people to violate copyright law/commit software piracy(it had to do with steam). After I deleted that message, I though I would give a warning to remind future posters about the rules.

As for the question if am I real? That for me to know and you to find out

Have a nice day/night.

-Kdawgca
NBR Mod

 

I buy the physical format. The problem I have with digital distribution sites is that when patches are released for games the patches do not work for the digital versions. The digital vendor has to make their own version of the patch and distribute it and as you can imagine that doesnt happen very often. I remember some were having trouble with CoD 4 and their patch releases and also Bioshock and its patch.

 

I have to agree with you there, bought moh airborne, beat it in one night and put it on ebay, sold it for like $40..