One is that steam frequently has actually cheap games more readily than the console digital stores.
Another is that if I’m buying a digital entitlement anyway, I’ll go with the ecosystem with the greatest track record for long term compatibility. A game purchased 20 years ago on steam is still generally playable in brand new system. A PlayStation game purchased then is not playable on a new Sony system. It is in fact only playable on PC through emulation, so PCs have been covering for console incompatibly.
Once upon a time, consoles brought some unique values. Easy to plug into TVs, consistent gamepad experience, and just turn on and play.
Nowadays PC operating systems and console operating systems act the same, tv output is just HDMI, gaming controllers are well supported on PCs… The last reason to bother with the console gaming was the physical media. So while sure, they can go digital only, but then why bother with a console at all? They’ve already lost every other advantage.
I only just removed (and saved) by bluray drive because I moved HW into a new case w/o a 5.25” bay. Still have a USB disc drive when needed and can always run a sata out the side temporarily.
I applaud you, and I do mean that. I have a BR player attached to the family room TV at home and so many movoes, but absolutely no way to read any type of data disk.
I do have a LOT of software DVDs from yesteryear stored somewhere (not all of them ‘legally obtained’), so maybe I should get one of those external BD-ROM USB devices.
A few things.
One is that steam frequently has actually cheap games more readily than the console digital stores.
Another is that if I’m buying a digital entitlement anyway, I’ll go with the ecosystem with the greatest track record for long term compatibility. A game purchased 20 years ago on steam is still generally playable in brand new system. A PlayStation game purchased then is not playable on a new Sony system. It is in fact only playable on PC through emulation, so PCs have been covering for console incompatibly.
Once upon a time, consoles brought some unique values. Easy to plug into TVs, consistent gamepad experience, and just turn on and play.
Nowadays PC operating systems and console operating systems act the same, tv output is just HDMI, gaming controllers are well supported on PCs… The last reason to bother with the console gaming was the physical media. So while sure, they can go digital only, but then why bother with a console at all? They’ve already lost every other advantage.
Then there’s the fact that there may be 2 computers left out there with any type of disc ROM device.
Great points you make, I hope more people understand.
I only just removed (and saved) by bluray drive because I moved HW into a new case w/o a 5.25” bay. Still have a USB disc drive when needed and can always run a sata out the side temporarily.
I applaud you, and I do mean that. I have a BR player attached to the family room TV at home and so many movoes, but absolutely no way to read any type of data disk.
I do have a LOT of software DVDs from yesteryear stored somewhere (not all of them ‘legally obtained’), so maybe I should get one of those external BD-ROM USB devices.