Should games come on USBs?

[Toon324]

I am here to talk about an interesting idea:

Should all our new games come on USB drives instead of DVDS?
Rather than typing out a whole article on my thoughts, I'll just list the pro's and con's and see what you guys think.

Pros
-----------------------
+No more scratched discs
+Faster loading times, as it is already "downloaded"
+Works even if your disc drive is broken

Cons
-----------------------
-Higher cost (8gb USB is about 5$ for big companies, DVD is mere cents)
-Xbox only supports up to 3 USB devices at a time (stupid fact.)
-Costs of retooling the plants to produce USB games instead of DVD

An USB would only have to have the exact amount needed for the game and no extra (a common DVD tactic) and would have high levels of security to prevent copy. The difference between difficulty of ripping a DVD and copying a USB w/a run key isn't that big.

So, thoughts?

[Soren515]

In my experience DVDs are faster than USBs for me. My only problem with DVDs is the disc scratching but I try to keep my discs clean.

[GodlyPerfection]

The won't go to USBs to prevent disc scratching... everyone switched away from cartridges because you can make tons of money off of people scratching their disks and having to buy a new one. Cartridges are practically impenetrable. I've seen one still play with a whole drilled in it.

[xFear The Herox]

The won't go to USBs to prevent disc scratching... everyone switched away from cartridges because you can make tons of money off of people scratching their disks and having to buy a new one. Cartridges are practically impenetrable. I've seen one still play with a whole drilled in it.

i miss my cartridge games, but i need a power cord for my sega :(

[Toon324]

everyone switched away from cartridges because you can make tons of money off of people scratching their disks and having to buy a new one.

The discs of those days were also much faster than cartridges. And, as everyone remembers, the slightest amount of dust on the game or the reader would mess it up, leading to the 'blow' trick.

[MNM1245]

I think the next gen consoles will all have Blu Ray, except for the Wii U because they're kinda playing catch up with it, and after Blu Ray I think everything will be digital.

I sure hope the next Xbox has Blu Ray for the huge disc size then we won't need 3 discs.

[GOG TOXIC]

I think the next gen consoles will all have Blu Ray, except for the Wii U because they're kinda playing catch up with it, and after Blu Ray I think everything will be digital.

I sure hope the next Xbox has Blu Ray for the huge disc size then we won't need 3 discs.

They better not go to only digital releases. The only things I download are things that cannot be obtained any other way. I still my music CD's and I refuse to use games on demand.

[Toon324]

I sure hope the next Xbox has Blu Ray for the huge disc size then we won't need 3 discs.

The only Xbox game I recall needing more than one disc (let alone 3) was FF: XIII.

The only things I download are things that cannot be obtained any other way. I still my music CD's and I refuse to use games on demand.

Why? What's the matter with having it on a USB versus a DVD/CD? It's still digital, it's just on a different carrier.

[GOG TOXIC]

The only Xbox game I recall needing more than one disc (let alone 3) was FF: XIII.



Why? What's the matter with having it on a USB versus a DVD/CD? It's still digital, it's just on a different carrier.

I thought MNM was saying something about how all games should just be bought through downloads. I still prefer discs over USB's though.

[wiggums]

They better not go to only digital releases. The only things I download are things that cannot be obtained any other way. I still my music CD's and I refuse to use games on demand.

That's where things are headed bud, better get ready.

I'd rather just skip right from dvd's to all downloadable content. It's the future, man.

[MNM1245]

That's where things are headed bud, better get ready.

I'd rather just skip right from dvd's to all downloadable content. It's the future, man.

I would love to skip to downloads only but Microsoft and Sony gotta take a lesson from Steam/Valve. Valve has these crazy prices that make you buy the game even if you don't really want it. "Oh <Insert game here> is $2.50 this weekend? It's usually $15. SWEET!" XBL Games on Demand on the other chance has that same 4 year old game for $30, no sales ever. If MS and Sony started giving us prices that make sense instead of scamming us like this I would buy Games on Demand all the time.

Other than that though, you have to think about countries outside the US. Right now in Canada our internet blows so going all download in Canada would be freaking torture. I'm sure in other countries it's even worse. Like you said "it's the future" but we aren't ready for it just yet.

Toon324 GOG TOXIC

Multi disc games are becoming increasingly popular for some reason. I guess people are just tired of being restrained by the Xbox's small disc size, in comparison to PS3. LA Noire was 3 discs, RAGE will be 3 discs, and they're are a few other 2 disc games. Mass Effect 3 will probably end up being 3 discs as well as some other big games. I think Microsoft will see this trend and adopt Blu Ray, like I'm hoping.

I don't picture USB as a mass distribution device. I'm sure it could happen but in my mind I just don't see it. A disc needs a case, and a case gives you room to be flashy, takes up shelf space, and it's nice to just have your games on a shelf where you can see all the labels in a nice orderly fashion. You can't have a big case for a USB without environmentalists tearing you a new asshole. You may try use the Nintendo DS cases for an example but those are such a waste. The game is 1/4 of those cases and they just made the case big to fit the manual, which most games are ditching in favor of an in game manual. I just feel like USB's don't fit in.

[GOG TOXIC]

That's where things are headed bud, better get ready.

I'd rather just skip right from dvd's to all downloadable content. It's the future, man.

I will never conform!!!!!!!!!

[Dark Halcyon]

Why haven't we developed a way to make vinyl records play our next-gen games? We have the technology! :derp: