Downloading game vs. buying disc on PS3 ??

[stargate]

Just wondering if there are any advantages to buying the actual disc versus downloading. For example, I am thinking about buying RE5 on the PS3. I can download it, but started wondering if there was an advantage to buying the actual disc. Aside from having the actual disc should I have any problems with my system and lose games, are the grafics, resolution, or gameplay better with the actual disc or is it exactly the same program?

[kupomogli]

On PSN you can game share with up to five other PS3s. On disc, you obviously can't. Both versions are the exact same. So if you have family members that have your PSN account on their PS3, the PSN version will also get them the game.

[stargate]

On PSN you can game share with up to five other PS3s. On disc, you obviously can't. Both versions are the exact same. So if you have family members that have your PSN account on their PS3, the PSN version will also get them the game.

oh cool, good to know. Thanks!

[8-bitNesMan]

It's exactly the same program. If anything the advantage is probably on having the game on your PS3's hard drive. There are some exceptions but most games run better and load faster when the system is reading them directly from the hard drive as opposed to reading from a disc.

[portnoyd]

Don't forget you are giving up the option of reselling or trading in the game in the future.

[Cornelius]

For my situation and internet connection, I could buy the game from Amazon and have it shipped to me faster than I could download it. And I don't have a data cap on my internet, but if I did that would be something to consider.

[stargate]

All good points. I guess another advantage of downloading is the extra content that you can get on some games with a PSN gold account.

[kupomogli]

Well Resident Evil 5 Gold comes with all DLC. It is also the only version to come with Move capability. So with that you're getting nothing extra you can't get by just getting the disc version. Though the PSN Plus had some amazing bonus' the last few weeks. I'm contemplating upgrading. Too bad I didn't decide to do it last week as I missed all the Uncharted 2 DLC , but it was my choice for not doing it, because now I'm kind of regretting it.

But if you have a family member or friend that you both share accounts with, then maybe you pay half, family/friend pays half, and you both get the game. Some games it doesn't work with as you're required to be online in order to play them, but very few. Capcom is a pretty big offender on this, so check online and see if Resident Evil 5 Gold follows the same restrictions before getting it as a PSN download. If you're going to use it for yourself and not going to gameshare with anyone, then I'd suggest getting the game on Amazon. It's $21.45 on Amazon right now. Cheaper than you can get it on PSN which is(I think) $23 with PSN Plus $29 without.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

All good points. I guess another advantage of downloading is the extra content that you can get on some games with a PSN gold account.

You mean Playstation Plus.

But anything downloaded via Plus in terms of add-on content (free or at a discount) is also functional with disc based versions of the games.

It doesn't have to be a DLC version of a game in order for the DLC content to work.

[skaar]

Thank god they keep all these options and programs simple and uncomplicated so we don't need to ask questions like this.

*whew*

[Ryudo]

A game I bought I can put on my shelf.
A game I bought I can play in 20-30 years. Download is a service so creating a memory today on a downloaded game you won't be able to play down the road really sucks.

[kupomogli]

A game I bought I can play in 20-30 years. Download is a service so creating a memory today on a downloaded game you won't be able to play down the road really sucks.

I use this as an excuse not to buy digital or DLC, but in reality, if you take the time to back up your games and DLC on another hard drive, you would very well be able to play the game in the future as long as it doesn't require a constant connection to XBL or PSN which may be down in the future.

[eskobar]

I still prefer to buy a game at retail and start my ritual of carefully opening the game, carefully read the manual and put the disk on my console ...

But I love DLC, its great that you can expand the original game experience for more hours ... and it is very practical to just download a game when you know you won't be playing it on 2 or 10 years

[stargate]

You mean Playstation Plus.

But anything downloaded via Plus in terms of add-on content (free or at a discount) is also functional with disc based versions of the games.

It doesn't have to be a DLC version of a game in order for the DLC content to work.

Sorry, Plus, got it. I actually just signed up. The discounts seem to be pretty decent.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Sorry, Plus, got it. I actually just signed up. The discounts seem to be pretty decent.

The discounts are very good, but it's the free game content that makes it worth every single penny.

[thegamezmaster]

I prefer a hard copy but have downloaded some. At least with Sony, if you buy a different console you can still download bought games onto the new one. Nintendo won't let you. They say when you but a download, it's only for that serial numbered Wii. BS in my book.

[moggles]

I prefer a hard copy because it's a physical product rather than a computer file. It's nice to be able to hold something I've paid for.

[Scott45]

A game I bought I can put on my shelf.
A game I bought I can play in 20-30 years. Download is a service so creating a memory today on a downloaded game you won't be able to play down the road really sucks.



This is exactly the reason I just bought Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year
It includes all of the DLC currently available. So if I have a hard drive failure, I'm good.

[Nebagram]

I prefer a physical copy, largely because of the Victorian broadband connection I have where I live and also because of the fact my 60GB PS3 has filled up so fast with patches I simply can't afford to give space to a 5GB game (or larger, which I believe the aforementioned RE5 is).

[Bojay1997]

This is exactly the reason I just bought Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year
It includes all of the DLC currently available. So if I have a hard drive failure, I'm good.

I agree and I always get the disc version, even if it means importing the European version, but ultimately, even recorded disc media will fail, so the idea that any of these things are permanent is foolish.

[Emperor Megas]

I agree and I always get the disc version, even if it means importing the European version, but ultimately, even recorded disc media will fail, so the idea that any of these things are permanent is foolish.When will this start happening, exactly?

[Kitsune Sniper]

When will this start happening, exactly?

I have a few CD-Rs and DVD-Rs from a few years back that have already rotted away.

I go through all my backup discs every couple of years because of that.

[Emperor Megas]

I have a few CD-Rs and DVD-Rs from a few years back that have already rotted away.

I go through all my backup discs every couple of years because of that.That can't be the norm for all optical media though, or most discs were already be corrupted. I have audio CD's from the 80's (the ones that were thick and heavy) that still work fine, and several CD-roms that are over 20 years old, and I've never lost anything yet that I'm aware of. I'm wondering when I can expect disc rot to do it's thing.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

That can't be the norm for all optical media though, or most discs were already be corrupted. I have audio CD's from the 80's (the ones that were thick and heavy) that still work fine, and several CD-roms that are over 20 years old, and I've never lost anything yet that I'm aware of. I'm wondering when I can expect disc rot to do it's thing.

I suspect that burned optical media has a different (likely shorter) lifespan than pressed optical media when both are maintained in ideal conditions, no?

[RP2A03]

When will this start happening, exactly?

No one really knows for sure, but it's a safe bet that playing games that were bought on physical media (not typically laden with DRM) thirty years from now will be easier than playing downloaded games (often laden with DRM) fifteen years from now.



I have a few CD-Rs and DVD-Rs from a few years back that have already rotted away.

I go through all my backup discs every couple of years because of that.

Pressed discs are far more robust then recordable discs. With that said, quality, fresh CD-R and DVD-R media should hold their contents for more then a few years.

More information on the lifespan of optical media can be found here http://www.clir.org/pubs/abstract/pub121abst.html

Parts 4 and 5 are the relevant sections.

[Kitsune Sniper]

That can't be the norm for all optical media though, or most discs were already be corrupted. I have audio CD's from the 80's (the ones that were thick and heavy) that still work fine, and several CD-roms that are over 20 years old, and I've never lost anything yet that I'm aware of. I'm wondering when I can expect disc rot to do it's thing.

Like Frankie said, recordable media has a much shorter lifespan than pressed media. The disc manufacturing quality also plays a hand in how long the media will last.

Also, I've bought several CDs from the 1980's and 1990's that already show signs of bitrot / degradation. You can see pinprick holes if you hold them up to a light. A -lot- of MCA CDs seem to have that problem. One of my favorite albums, which only had a throwaway CD pressing, has rot, and I've never found a replacement copy anywhere. :( That's why I always copy my music to FLAC after I buy it.

[substantial_snake]

Thank god they keep all these options and programs simple and uncomplicated so we don't need to ask questions like this.

*whew*

It'a all pretty simple actually.

Physical Game
-Disc Addon

Download Game
-Download Addon

Playstation Plus is basically a discount and loyalty program, you don't need it to get online or use any of the services currently available on PSN. It does not function like an Xbox Live Gold Account therefore calling it PSN Gold only serves to confuse people. (not directed at quoted text)


I prefer a physical copy, largely because of the Victorian broadband connection I have where I live and also because of the fact my 60GB PS3 has filled up so fast with patches I simply can't afford to give space to a 5GB game (or larger, which I believe the aforementioned RE5 is).

Unless you are just completely attached to that hard drive get rid of it and install a larger drive. I've been using a 500 gig drive in my PS3 for years now. It takes less then 5 minutes to actually install, does not void your warranty, and their is a transfer system for transferring your saved games, downloads, movies, etc. I'm not sure about the slims but the fat PS3 even had instructions on how to do this in the manual.

[duffmanth]

I always prefer buying more modern games on disc cuz they take too long to download and they take up too much room on your drive. Also if you're drive craps out, you have to redownload it again. I only buy cheap, older retro games to download.

[The 1 2 P]

I think everyone already covered the advantages of each but for me I always prefer having a physical copy. That way if the game sucks(like MAG does) I can sell it to get rid of.