Download a game or buy it in the store?

[xpertje]

Hi, i have a question.

Is it wise to buy a game in the store? of download it on steam or on xbox live or on ps store for a lower price?

[Pob255]

depends what you mean by "wise"

[Smudger]

PC games - download or from store, mostly from Steam lately.

PS3: Disc from store/online. Don't like the idea of filling up the HD on the PS3 with games.

[weta]

The bulk of my games are purchased through Steam.

The service is quick and convenient.

[KeyboardDemon]

If you can trade the game after playing it, then it might be better to buy it on physical media, if you intend to keep it then buy it as a download, the download will usually be linked to your account so if you delete it you can download it in the future and play it again.

[roorooroo]

I prefer boxed games though they're becoming a bit of a rarity..end up using steam these days.

[Hicks12]

prefer buying from online retailers, dont think ive bought a pc game instore for about 5 or so years!. Very very rarely buy off steam as its WAY overpriced, things like £25 for the new shogun 2 expansion yet most(amazon etc) have it for £15... id rather wait a bit (one to two days) than pay £10 extra for it! Of course its hindered by the fact my 10Mb/s connection takes years to download big games so i try and avoid that .

[Andy3536]

Buying the disc online tends to be cheaper than buying digital or from the shops. With the exception of sales anyway.
For example, last game i bought was Fall of the Samurai. On Steam and in the shops £24.99.
Currently £15.23 on Amazon, £19.99 on play.com (£17.99 pre order price before release)

Steam does have excellent sales, but new games i nearly always buy a physical copy from online shops.

[Hicks12]

same as me andy, i only ever buy from steam on their sales as they do give out solid deals most of the time but without their good sales (im talking their terrible 10% off preorder now type things) its stupidly expensive compared to getting the retail disc online, its silly how they can never compete like that or else id be more inclined to drop money to them.

[DeeBrad]

I dont think anything beats receiving (or going to a store and buying) a physical Limited/Collectors Edition of a game you have looked forward to for months/years!!!

That said, if theres a game that im not a huge fan of, i just go for the cheapest option

[fourpixel]

I prefer to buy on the store because my internet connection is very slow..I only have 1mbps connection speed..

[GeorgeStorm]

I prefer having a physical copy of a game no doubts about it, something very satisfying about both having the box, especially if you put them all on a shelf and look up and see an epic collection (not that mine is )

However while I'm at uni, downloading is far more sensible, since I don't have a lot of room where I'm currently staying, and the internet connection is really good, so is far easier to download.
However at home, if the prices are the same (or near enough) I'll almost always go for a physical copy unless there are other advantages to going for a downloaded version.

[Saracen]

Hi, i have a question.

Is it wise to buy a game in the store? of download it on steam or on xbox live or on ps store for a lower price?

It depends on what you want, and your preferences and situation. I have no interest at all in Steam (etc) but your mileage may vary. Your money, your call.

[OilSheikh]

Buy = resaleable
Download = No chance!

[uannaka]

I prefer buying instore. I like the smell of a new game box. .
Otherwise if I could save like £10 or above then I have no problem with downloading the game.

[davesom555]

I think it's a matter of preference (and price). I preorder some games from online retailers (like amazon) for physical delivery, especially if i want a collectors edition etc... I buy some stuff of steam (mostly at sale time) and use some other online distribution companies (gog, origin, impulse). Best to shop around really. The good thing with online retailers is that you can download and install whenever you want (most dont have any number of install DRM requirements). Obviously if you get the physical copy then you have the drawback of losing, damaging media.

But my biggest shopping point is definitely price.