Thoughts on downloading games

[Jaggannath]

All,
Just thought I'd get an idea of what everyone thinks of an issue that has currently cropped up over here... basically, both EA and Steam (as many of you know) allow downloading of their games instead of buying the CD/DVD. This usually costs about, say, $40-60US. To buy the games in Australia, it normally would cost about $100AUS, so it's cost effective for us to do this, as not only is it cheaper (especially with the current exchange rate), but you get the game earlier than instore.
The issue is that now EA and Steam are making the the download from the US inaccessible to Australian users in an attempt to force us to buy from the Australia download server, which costs significantly more.

Is this fair?

[shadowpr]

I really don't think that is fair.

And I'm willing to bet that will lead to more people using illegal copies, and then once that happens, thy might realize that they should just let everyone download for the same price.

[Nuclear Krusader]

I still prefer my boxed copies.

[TwoRails]

Like NK, I prefer boxed games... Is it fair? Not from our stand point, but it is from theirs. Lots of industries have different pricing in different countries: what the market will bear. So they must figure our friends DownBelow must have more money!

[pam123]

Not only is it not fair, it's remarkably short sighted.
My first reaction is : Boycott !

[The_YongGrand]

I prefer boxed copies too... looks much better. At least it'll complement the shelf.

[The Village Idiot]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader I still prefer my boxed copies.

Ditto, I'm a sucker for a good box, if i could get something with a box, or as a download, I'll get the box.

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by The Village Idiot Ditto, I'm a sucker for a good box, if i could get something with a box, or as a download, I'll get the box.

If it costs the same, then I agree. But how much extra are you willing to pay for a box?

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by shadowpr If it costs the same, then I agree. But how much extra are you willing to pay for a box?

Good question. Speaking of software in general, I've run into boxed versions selling for the same price (excluding shipping) but then I've seen it for more. Most often it's pretty close, though, from what I"ve seen, like $5 - 20. Then it depends on what's in the box. A printed manual? Sure, if I feel I need it. "Goodies" CD? sure... if I want the extra stuff.

[Nuclear Krusader]

After my experience with a game download service and Thief 3, I'm all for boxes. Not only does it take quite a while to download (that game took over two hours, man I can run to the game store and be back in 30 min), but the for-download versions are not always the same as the boxed versions. With that game such was the case and I couldn't patch it, and I did run into an issue that was addressed by the patch, but the patch could not be installed by any means. The manufacturer referred me to the download service for support, the service sent me back to the manufacturer for support. I ended up asking for a refund which I fortunately got. Bought the boxed version off eBay and zero problems.

[blue60007]

The only download service I'll use is Steam. It works flawlessly for me. I could care less about a piece of round plastic, or a worthless manual and a cardboard box. If it's available through Steam I'll get it there versus a boxed copy. But then, I'm not sure I'm daring enough to try another company's service.

[Overkill-GB]

Yes, the boxed games are a nice edition to my shelf, I have had some experiences buying of Ebay with no hassle, and retail boxed sets from a store too. I rarely download games apart from Steam i downloaded some HL2 + CSS and all that lot, but the pricing wasnt that mich difference, So i will go buy from a legit store where i can get a refund if neccesary.

[Jaggannath]

Much though I also prefer boxed sets, I was more discussing the fairness of charging people in different countries different prices. Personally, I think it's going to cost them in the long run.

[pam123]

Originally Posted by Jaggannath Much though I also prefer boxed sets, I was more discussing the fairness of charging people in different countries different prices. Personally, I think it's going to cost them in the long run.

I agree.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Hardly. This has been done for years everywhere and the companies are not only still in business, but getting richer.

[keith_mahoney]

I too like the way steam does business. But on to your real question. You could use a proxy system to log onto servers in the U.S. to download your game if you want to get it cheaper. I use Anonamyzer to watch videos on netflix since I live in Belgium but the streaming movies portion of the site is only available to people with US ip addresses. The only drawback is the reduced bandwith.
I believe the program is about $40 a year but you can try it out for free for a couple weeks.

[CurtM]

I'm gradually becoming partial to downloading games from places like Steam. My biggest beef with boxed copies is the box itself. It's too bulky and takes up too much storage space. Do these plastic dvd cases really need to be twice as thick as the cases sold for console games? And if you want to throw it out, then you need to scrounge up something else to store the disk in.

My second beef with boxed versions is the ever problematic Securerom software. On many dvd readers it has problem detecting a perfectly normal purchased dvd. If the purpose of Securerom is to prevent people from playing their own purchased games, then they have succeeded. Who are the real pirates here?

Although not is all sunny with Steam. If you buy a new popular game during launch week, good luck trying to get it downloaded after you buy it. The servers aren't adequate enough to handle the traffic; a big shame for being a game download service.

[rmr]

Canadians are still getting the short end of the stick. Their dollar is now worth more than the US dollar but many things still have a higher price for Canadian money.

[Jaggannath]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Hardly. This has been done for years everywhere and the companies are not only still in business, but getting richer.

For boxed games I'd agree... but downloading games this size is relatively new, and IMO it's unjustifiable to charge more.

Keith, thanks for the tip but it was more a discussion than a need to find a work-around