3 ms·

There's due a lot of technical discussion on this (and it's very warranted) but what does this say about the future of software ownership? There used to be a ti

There's due a lot of technical discussion on this (and it's very warranted) but what does this say about the future of software ownership? There used to be a time where you could buy a big-box copy of Elite and just own it. Maybe there was a layer of goofy DRM, but the software was on a physical medium and licensed to you in perpetuity. Flash-forward to 2022. Now when you buy the latest physical copy of a triple-A video game, you're purchasing a disc with an authorization key baked onto it. None of the game files are yours, your agency over the software is entirely at Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo's discretion. They take down their software store? It's gone. Game gets slammed online for releasing unfinished? It's gone. Ratings board decide to change their mind later? You already know what happens. The philosophy of software ownership today sucks, and I feel like it's going to hurt even more in the coming decades. Hoard data while you still can, winter is coming...

Ancalagon 4y ago
Not sure why you're lumping Nintendo with the other two in this instance, that is very much not true.
- smoldesu 4y ago
  Nintendo ships (and encourages developers to ship) Cloud-only versions of their titles. On top of that, Nintendo recently spearheaded an initiative to add Denuvo DRM to Switch games. This makes it a lot harder for preservationists to ensure Switch games outlast the console's support lifespan. Nintendo does a good job of preserving physical novelty, but they're equally as bad as Apple, Google, Sony and Microsoft when it comes to running a sustainable digital storefront.
- Larrikin 4y ago
  Nintendo charges more for physical copies of the game and highly encourages their users to buy digital copies with digital coins on top of the cheaper price. Nintendo has also shown they have no problem shutting down the servers for the Wii and now the DS. If you want your digital stuff you bought, you better buy it again if you can. They also have a trend of constantly making their older games easier when they rerelease them so you will probably get less enjoyment out of it. Their Switch is the only gaming platform lately I find with multiple games I'm interested, but you're a complete sucker if you trust them not to screw you over by downloading the game instead of buying a physical copy.
xg15 4y ago
I guess we can just call the retail purchase a "one-time fee, one-time delivery subscription" and all is well again... /s

Ancalagon 4y ago

Not sure why you're lumping Nintendo with the other two in this instance, that is very much not true.

smoldesu 4y ago
Nintendo ships (and encourages developers to ship) Cloud-only versions of their titles. On top of that, Nintendo recently spearheaded an initiative to add Denuvo DRM to Switch games. This makes it a lot harder for preservationists to ensure Switch games outlast the console's support lifespan. Nintendo does a good job of preserving physical novelty, but they're equally as bad as Apple, Google, Sony and Microsoft when it comes to running a sustainable digital storefront.
Larrikin 4y ago
Nintendo charges more for physical copies of the game and highly encourages their users to buy digital copies with digital coins on top of the cheaper price. Nintendo has also shown they have no problem shutting down the servers for the Wii and now the DS. If you want your digital stuff you bought, you better buy it again if you can. They also have a trend of constantly making their older games easier when they rerelease them so you will probably get less enjoyment out of it. Their Switch is the only gaming platform lately I find with multiple games I'm interested, but you're a complete sucker if you trust them not to screw you over by downloading the game instead of buying a physical copy.

xg15 4y ago

I guess we can just call the retail purchase a "one-time fee, one-time delivery subscription" and all is well again... /s