Digital Download Version?

TheBigBlueBox · #1 October 2nd, 2006, 12:11 AM

I also wonder why there is no offer for a digital download version.

With most people having broadband now, and the greater amount of sales you can get, especially for small independent developers like illwinter..

The major reason for the success of Stardock's Galciv II was the availability of a digital download... having to wait for a shipping of a physical box is agonizing and some would be more likely to buy if there was a download version....

Ygorl · #2 October 2nd, 2006, 12:30 AM

There was a whole other thread about this somewhere, complete with the Official Word - seek it out if you're interested.

Gandalf Parker · #3 October 2nd, 2006, 12:54 AM

Everything has its pros and cons. The possible impact of messing it up is tremendous. Possibly balancing the benefits, at least for now.

And not everyone is all that happy with StarDocks way of managing things. If every game site had their own stardock then I dont think people would be all that happy.

Rogue · #4 October 2nd, 2006, 02:12 AM

Bah, if I might add some thoughts here--D2D is horrid (imho). I snagged Temple of Elemental Evil with "hit points" from D2D and it's un-playable (can't loot bodies with DirectX 9.0c). Seems it won't work unless you patch with the most current patch....

....which Atari has on their site but is NOT compatible with D2D games (security thing with the way D2D is set up). I opened a D2D ticket on this to request support (and patch)--they sent an automated response back telling me to patch the game....

I pressed the issue and they closed the ticket saying to please down the patch when it's available. Well...the patch isn't out there on the D2D site and you can't get ToEE from D2D anymore either now....

I also saw some posts stating "Sword of the Stars" had this issue too--the D2D patch lagged badly behind the retail "boxed" versions out on the net. Give me a boxed set with printed manual any day!!!!

Ahem, sorry...I'll drop off my soap box and back to lurking--just saw D2D and starting having an eye twitch!

TheBigBlueBox · #5 October 2nd, 2006, 03:17 AM

Well I guess there's one thing that you wouldn't get if dominions 3 had a digital download version... the whopping 300 page tome of a manual that I'm looking forward to almost as much as the game

I miss the days when nearly all PC games came with thick manuals!!

Theonlystd · #6 October 2nd, 2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Rogue said:
Bah, if I might add some thoughts here--D2D is horrid (imho). I snagged Temple of Elemental Evil with "hit points" from D2D and it's un-playable (can't loot bodies with DirectX 9.0c). Seems it won't work unless you patch with the most current patch....

....which Atari has on their site but is NOT compatible with D2D games (security thing with the way D2D is set up). I opened a D2D ticket on this to request support (and patch)--they sent an automated response back telling me to patch the game....

I pressed the issue and they closed the ticket saying to please down the patch when it's available. Well...the patch isn't out there on the D2D site and you can't get ToEE from D2D anymore either now....

I also saw some posts stating "Sword of the Stars" had this issue too--the D2D patch lagged badly behind the retail "boxed" versions out on the net. Give me a boxed set with printed manual any day!!!!

Ahem, sorry...I'll drop off my soap box and back to lurking--just saw D2D and starting having an eye twitch!

Aye D2D is pretty crappy.. But that was mostly just an example..

Steam is pretty solid i've gotten 6 or so games threw there with no problem, And i've gotten a couple threw GamersGate..

Caduceus · #7 October 2nd, 2006, 05:22 PM

D2D seems to not support updates and patches, from what I have seen - Oblivion is another example.

Gandalf Parker · #8 October 2nd, 2006, 05:35 PM

There are some great examples out there. Its like the early days of BLOGs. Many great ones. But until there was a "download and install this to provide your customers with blogs" it wasnt able to take off.

Ive helped design some services for internet providors. Digital Download is one of the scariest Ive seen. Real potential there for a bad headlines type of disaster. It seems simple but the details kill you.

Terl · #9 October 4th, 2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Caduceus said:
D2D seems to not support updates and patches, from what I have seen - Oblivion is another example.

They do but it takes a while. I have purchased a few games from D2D and have been pleased. I do not purchase new games from them though because of the delay in patches.

Of course, Matrix games offers digital downloads of their games (I have a few of their titles too) and it works quite well. I like digital downloading. I also have bought through GamersGate (Paradox and others) and it works well.

I know Shrapnel has a couple on digital downloads. I am surprised they do not have more. As someone else noted in this thread, the process opens up more potential for problems but I think it would be worth it especially with so many other outlets available.