Question of the Week #2

[DJ-Daz]

Thanks to InfiniteStates for posting this question:

Is digital content the future, or simply a way to monopolise the way we buy things?

[DJ-Daz]

I believe it was an attempt to monopolise the market and do away with retail. Retailers do have large margins on items: £45.00 for a game might have £20.00 profit for the retailer. It might sound like a lot, but they have wages, electricity, council tax, water rates, rent, and advertising.

But the flagrant rip-off that is PSN will have to change:
http://mess-hall.co.uk/2012/07/digital- ... s-re-sold/

All digital retailers will now have to provide a mechanism for us to resell digital titles. How do you like them apples?

What I can't understand is why digital is more expensive than bricks and mortar.

[DJ-Daz]

Reply from InfiniteStates:

It was Sy's question I think

I also think it's an attempt to cut the retailer out of the loop and for publishers to increase their profit margin. I think you're overstating the cut retailers take - they don't make a lot of new game sales. That's why they're so keen on the second hand market, because they get loads more from that.

On the one hand, the digital market place is a good thing because it allows indie developers a route to market which can bring some great innovation (and also a lot of shit) to us consumers.

But on the other hand it eliminates pricing competition for publishers and allows their greed to run unchecked, which is a bad thing.

So, I think digital content is a good thing over all, in that it gives consumers more options in terms of indie content and not being arsed to mail order/go to the shops. But it's also a market where the stupid are open to exploitation from publishers.

I think there's a long way to go before digital can be the only avenue to market though.

[DJ-Daz]

reply from Symonator:

well we have discussed this before and i stand by my statement, in the end (whenever 5-10 years) most things will be digital.. in terms of media/games - i think the industry is in a way, trying to control what it sells and at what price.

Like Charlie said, second hand is how retailers make most of their cash in games.

I do support digital content but only if you have an option to buy the physical copies aswell, it would be unfair to not sell it physically.

Not everyone wants to go digital there are still some hardcore guys that like to own what they paid for.

p.s

slightly off topic why is I before E except after C, yet we spell "their" like that.

[DJ-Daz]

Reply from YorshirePud:

you all pretty much mirror my thoughts as well, so i reckon it will end in tears.

"daddy what are these"

"game cartridges son, when i was a lad you actually physically owned the game"

[DJ-Daz]

reply from InfiniteStates:

p.s

slightly off topic why is I before E except after C, yet we spell "their" like that.

Should really submit that as a QoW candidate

The only consistent rule in English seems to be that no other rule is allowed to apply without exception

We gotta make it tough for Jonny Foreigner somehow...