Why are digital download games the same price as physical disc games?

[3DPiper]

Why are digital download games the same price as physical disc games?
It seems like they would be cheaper, there is no hard or delivery cost involved.

 

[vayanui8]

Because people will pay the same amount

 

[Jack Daniels]

and you can't sell a digital download

 

[DinohScene]

Cause people get lazy and they take advantage of that.

In all seriousness tho, it's the software that you really pay for.
And well, why not make a bit extra by pricing it equally to retail versions (if not, sometimes more expensive)

 

[Ryccardo]

To avoid pissing off physical retailers, which have relatively low per-unit % profits on new games, yet are the most important outlet for hardware

Plus, physical and digital versions have both pros and cons (for example, can't sell game but -at least until the app store closes!- free insurance against loss or damage; shelf full of cool boxart vs changing games directly from the controller)

So the best option where possible is always the unofficial one: buy physical, create and install your legal* backups

* assuming you're not from a major country known for freedom

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Part of the cost is eaten up by servers, which a lot of people seem to forget. You have to remember that Sony/Microsoft have to supply millions of people around the world with the ability to download and install digital games, as well as storing the thousands and thousands of them at the same time. Keeping those servers running can get extremely expensive at the scale at which they're running.

Though that's just part of the cost, Dinoh is also correct in that it's also just a software license you're buying, so publishers can charge whatever they want regardless of what kind of media it's on.

 

[RedRedWine]

I think it is for convenience. Ultimately you do not need to go drive/walk/bus to a store, then walk around in the store/ask the employee where the game is, and then wait in line to make the purchase, and then wait to either swipe your credit card or get your change back.

You save a lot of time purchasing it directly online, and you do not have a physical product taking up space in your house. I personally don't like when it have 50 games, and it takes up a huge shelf, but to each their own. Its art to some people.

 

[eriol33]

just because they can. so yeah, don't buy digital full price unless it's discounted. if you buy retail discs, at least you can sell it later. better remember the value of your money.

 

[Byokugen]

I prefer physical copies because of two reasons:
1. I collect games

2. I am always afraid servers will die or some type of Fallout scenario will happen, and I will stay in my little shelter and Paper Mario on GC