View Full Version : Boxed Games vs. Digital Download
Boxed Games vs. Digital Download
Would people be more willing to buy a $60 plus game if it came in a boxed version that could be later sold/traded vs. a digital download?
Digital License System
I always though a digital licensed games should come with a two keys, one key to install,register the game and another key that allows one to just check the status to see if a specific game is already registered/installed. This would allow owners of digital downloaded only games to sell or trade them in the future. To sell or trade one would unregister/unlicense the game, and post the second key, so the buyer could check on the status of digital downloaded game before buying. I think a method like this would add more value to digital downloaded games.
Bullethead
15 Sep 07, 15:29
Would people be more willing to buy a $60 plus game if it came in a boxed version that could be later sold/traded vs. a digital download?
That's an interesting question and one I hadn't thought of. Hmmm. I could be wrong, but I don't think this would make much difference. I'm thinking there simply aren't enough wargame choices out there to really create a resale or trade market. If you're into wargames of a certain genre, odds are you've either already got the game and don't need another copy, or you didn't like it when you tried it previously.
But it's a moot point anyway. DG isn't download-only by SES's choice. The reason is that DG can't get shelf space due to the tyranny of the retailers, who won't stock anything that won't sell a gazillion copies. Thus, the ONLY way DG can be available at all is via download. It's that or nothing.
This isn't something we like. We'd love to have DG and Jutland and anything else we make on every shelf in the world. That's how you make lots of money in this business. Oh well, maybe someday...
Well, the way I look at it, I'm more likly to purchase a product that I own, and can sell or trade in, later on. A product that is download only, can't be re-sold because there is nothing to sell or no way to verify if the product is already installed/licensed on someones PC.
A good example is Matrix Games, I now buy the boxed versions from the NWS store they offer the boxed versions for the same price as the downloaded version from Matrix, this way if I buy a stinker (yea, there's been a few :OHNO:) I can trade it in for something else later on. The boxed version has more value then the digital downloaded version.
I do not think that a boxed version has more value than a download version.
Most gamers do not buy a game so it has a box. They buy it so they can play the game. And as I see it only a few keep the boxes. It sounds like you buy a game and plan on selling it later when you are through playing it.
And that is ok if that is what you like to do.
I myself like others buy the game to play and keep playing it. I do not mind the download version of games. So far it has worked out fine and this is not the first or only download game that I have. I see a game that I want and it is the middle of the night and I can buy it. And be playing the game in less than an hour that is great as I see it.
Also it makes it easer for people in areas that do not have stores that carry games to get one. And there are quite a few Nations that the mail service is not very good and that is saying a lot. Takes weeks for anything to come if at all. Been there and seen for my self.
As I see it more company's are going to this type of selling, and it is just going to get bigger as time goes on.
I do not think that a boxed version has more value than a download version.
Daedalus, did you ever tried to sell or trade a download version of a game?
Digital downloaded games have no value, because in most cases you can't sell or trade it.
Lempereur1
13 Oct 07, 13:23
Guys:
The reselling old games was the final nail in coffin for the shelf space in Electronics Botique/Game Stop/etc.
That shelf space is now almost totally devoted to used games.
A few new PC games make it to these shelves, but most dont.
Another example of shooting ones foot off is Best Buy.
Go into almost any Best Buy and look at the PC game shelf. Half of it is EMPTY! No games, nothing.
They have become so wedded to the "Velocity Number", as they call it, that it has forced all but the PC games from the biggest Publishers.
Take Two also guility. They adopted a price policy that most of thier 2nd and third tier PC games will be $29.95 and $19.95, respectively.
The size of the wargame market is finite. For every used game sold, thats one less sale for that developer/publisher. If you truely want more from that company, you are decreasing the chances of longevity by reducing thier potential income.
I would also say that a large portion of wargames released over the last two years are either schlock or the same regergetated(sp?) B.S. with a couple of new graphics added.
Norm and I have some exciting and totally new ideas coming over the next 3 or 4 years. These plans will turn the PC wargaming market on its head!
You vote with you dollars. If those dollars are cut off before they get to the ballot box, they will never be counted.....:shy:
I like many don't buy games from stores anymore (they don't stock or sell my type of games) but I still like boxed versions with a manual, even Matrix Games seems to have come around and have boxed versions with printed manuals.
Guys:
The reselling old games was the final nail in coffin for the shelf space in Electronics Botique/Game Stop/etc.
That shelf space is now almost totally devoted to used games.
A few new PC games make it to these shelves, but most dont.
Another example of shooting ones foot off is Best Buy.
Go into almost any Best Buy and look at the PC game shelf. Half of it is EMPTY! No games, nothing.
They have become so wedded to the "Velocity Number", as they call it, that it has forced all but the PC games from the biggest Publishers.
Take Two also guility. They adopted a price policy that most of thier 2nd and third tier PC games will be $29.95 and $19.95, respectively.
The size of the wargame market is finite. For every used game sold, thats one less sale for that developer/publisher. If you truely want more from that company, you are decreasing the chances of longevity by reducing thier potential income.
I would also say that a large portion of wargames released over the last two years are either schlock or the same regergetated(sp?) B.S. with a couple of new graphics added.
Norm and I have some exciting and totally new ideas coming over the next 3 or 4 years. These plans will turn the PC wargaming market on its head!
You vote with you dollars. If those dollars are cut off before they get to the ballot box, they will never be counted.....:shy:
I agree , the last time I went into one of the resale stores you are talking about all they had was old games, And I mean almost a year , just a few of ones that where 5 months old. Nothing new , not worth the trip.
All I have to say: thank goodness for Storm Eagle, Matrix, and AGEOD. :smoke:
vertical
I'm not fussed at all about boxed games these days. They take up shelf space that could be better used and they never sell for anything like what you bought them for. Plus, and I may open a can of worms with this one, it is better for the environment if we don't have a load of pointless pretty packaging lying around that has cost a huge amount to manufacture, distribute and ship. Also we really should now be moving towards pdf's rather than costly manuals. If you have to, print the manual out. And copy the downloaded game file to a CD if it makes you feel safer about your investment.
If you`re accepting € instead of $, I`ll be a happy customer....
;)
Z.
I'm not fussed at all about boxed games these days. They take up shelf space that could be better used and they never sell for anything like what you bought them for. Plus, and I may open a can of worms with this one, it is better for the environment if we don't have a load of pointless pretty packaging lying around that has cost a huge amount to manufacture, distribute and ship. Also we really should now be moving towards pdf's rather than costly manuals. If you have to, print the manual out. And copy the downloaded game file to a CD if it makes you feel safer about your investment.
That is what I do, I keep a copy on a cd or dvd so i will have the file if I need it. Just as good as a store bought. As I see it anyway.
I much prefer the boxed games. There is something much more satisfying about having a box, a manual and maybe a technology tree or something else. But I do admit that the value of the boxed game is going downhill as more and more often the box holds nothing but a CD.
Shanghai Slim
24 Oct 07, 02:50
Amen to what mbv posted (#10).
IMO, boxes, manuals, and all that are just a big waste. Why all that useless packaging for a product that is virtual? Really, how often do you dig out a game's box to look at it again? Mine go straight into the trash.
I like the download/PDF model. Makes more sense and benefits all around - the game publisher can use the money saved on producing all that junk and devote it to R&D/development/support/etc instead. It just seems a better business model all around.
The truth is you the customer aren't getting the savings!
Example: Matrix Games
You can buy the Digital Download version of a TOWIII for $39.95 or you can get the boxed version some with a printed version at the some price throught NWS. Matrix sells the boxed version for $49.96 so where is my savings?
http://yhst-12000246778232.stores.yahoo.net/modernwarfare.html
Now I can also sell/trade in my boxed copy of TOWIII, because it has value. You will have a hard time selling or trading in a Digital Download version.
Bottom Line: Boxed version of games have more value and you the customer aren't getting the savings!
I'm also more likly to buy a game I know I can later sell or trade in!
asheshouse
27 Oct 07, 12:16
Biggest disadvantage of a download version is the length of time the download takes, unless you have a really good broadband connection. Its always nice to flick through a printed manual away from the screen but I can manage without this provided the game interface is intuitive and with a pdf manual as a last resort. The security system hickups that occur are a pretty rare problem provided the software supplier has good after sales response. Most do.
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