Its possible some games don't install, run entirely off the disc, but take advantages of updates that are downloaded and installed. My goal was to save hdd space. When a disc is played, the system is reading the information off the disc, and the partial download is so the system can run it a little easier. Otherwise initial loading times are still going to be very long even loading from the hdd. To me, physical discs' advantages outweigh digital games a lot, in terms of convenience and accessibility. When I went to start Fallout 4 last week I had to literally watch a whole movie while I waited 2+ hours for the whole game to install itself onto my system. By this, I mean that the system reads the digital version as a different game entirely compared to the physical version and, therefore, won't read the physical save file when playing the digital version. I normally liked buying physical copies for games outside of small 5gb anime games to try and save space but if the physical copies all fully download anyway I don't know if it's worth going full digital and save myself the bother of disk swapping. Some games will just copy the entire disc unto the hard drive; this is the easiest way of handling it. level 2. They are so lazy about keeping files sizes down, they really don't seem to be putting any effort into that aspect at all. I'm not sure, you'd have to compare the space taken up by both versions of the same game.. The Complete Edition will … The World: The Game — Complete Edition would go up for pre-order on Jan. 15, 2021. I'm not sure, you'd have to compare the space taken up by both versions of the same game. © 2021 GAMESPOT, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Limited Run Games announced that pre-orders for three boxed versions of Scott Pilgrim vs. An increasingly vital accessory, one of the best PS4 external hard drives will immediately boost your PS4's storage and give your data and games some extra breathing space Physical Games Vs Digital GamesThese days its hard to decide which is better, physical or digital media. To determine which route is right for you, you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of both physical and digital games against each other while considering how you plan on playing your games. Digital Copy. On PS4, I have FIFA 14, 15, BF4, and Killzone on disc. It used to be you stick the disc in and the install was just a few seconds. I need power over the people! Yes, you should compare statistics and come back with results. @thegamingjunkie: well if it’s a disc it should hold the data on the disc unlike digital where it stores it on the hard drive right?? It's finally 2021, but the PS5 isn't any easier to find in stock. Hitman 3 Adds More Wild Assassinations, Including One With A Full Murder Mystery, Lost Tomb Raider Game Now Available To Play, Sort Of, Destiny 2: Where Is Xur This Week? 4 years ago. Or is that a misconception? Digital copies of video games are downloaded onto your video game system or associated storage device. I'm actually a bit peeved about that since I'd already bought a couple physical games. You're browsing the GameFAQs Message Boards as a guest. Can anyone, perhaps, approve of any one of the statements? Because I am thoroughly confused. They don't have to go out to a store to hunt down a game that they really want to try, and neither do they have to wait for a disc that they ordered online to arrive in the mail. If … And both Sony and Microsoft are willing to subsidize the move to digital. Limited Run Games has announced three boxed versions of Scott Pilgrim Vs. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. my game had to download for a few hours, and B.) Its up to the developer's discretion to decide how much to install vs how much to remain on disc. A few others say that physical discs takes significantly less space; and I'm talking about consoles. Check online inventory and the latest PS5 restock news here. The disc is just a verification for the licence you hold for the game. ... First time he ever did that. Games just seem to be getting bigger and bigger to download. I missed the part where the disc having a functional copy of the game instead of just a downloader somehow prevents the rest. I have game files that are nearly 100 gigs and I have the discs. My ps4 gives me a checking storage status and says the ps4 didn't shutdown properly even though it did. We can compare the space used under "applications". So not only did I not get the instant gratification of playing the game immediately, but now I have to wait 4+ days for another copy of it to arrive (GameFly is sloooooooow). PS4 Buying Digital Download vs Physical Disc -The Complete Breakdown. Possibly using less storage space per game; Access to more of your PS4 library means clearly that if you’ve already accumulated a collection of PS4 physical games… Whereas this may be true in theory I've yet to see this happen in practice in this generation. Need to switch from child to adult without deleting my account how? Digital vs Physical Switch games. New PS4 Games of 2021: All The Release Dates. Current gen games (digital or physical) run entirely off the HDD (full installs are mandatory). Do you think digital games eat up more space than physical copies of games do? Sorry but what's the appeal again? But i doubt any game does this as its a programmatic pain for very little benefit. Cyberpunk delisting foreshadows what to expect once Sony goes digital. I just want to know if the size was any difference. the actual size of the games would be the same. Instead, they can hop over the online store anytime, select a game, and own it within minutes. Very little consideration is given to this aspect of game dev's by the AAA studios it seems. i am not sure about this, but i think they take more space than physical. Ultimately, the PS5 Digital Edition will likely be the cheapest PS5 you can get, and is a good fit for gamers who mainly buy digital and don't have a stack of physical PS4 games lying around. From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do. This post is older than 2 weeks, mods... On PS4 the full game installs itself similar to digital before you can even play it. do they install the entire game now? From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do on the HDD. Well, on PC Watch Dogs is 20 GB and on Xbox 360 it's 7.5 GB. Or It says so here: http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/watch-dogs/10809. Any tips? Have you ever lost a digital game to delisting? In contrast, living on a farm with satellite, or otherwise wireless, Internet access makes staying always online difficult and regular updates could become very expensive. As a recent owner of the PS4, I've decided that for this generation I will either buy all my games in digital or in physical discs. @jimmy_russell: nah I'll stick with consoles. So, there you have it: the pros and cons for physical and digital game … Also be forewarned, TC. That's backed up by a GPU that can manage 10.28 TFLOPS across 36 CUs, a whole bunch more than even the PS4 Pro could manage. I did swap the disk. Is it enough to contain more than 10 games? A tranche of people will continue to find pleasure in the simple act of carefully pulling the plastic off a new game, catching a whiff of the factory-sealed PlayStation 4 box, and inserting a disc into a console. Physical Disks vs Digital size PlayStation 4 PlayStation 4. I currently assume that both types take up space somewhat equally, but then again, that's just an assumption. Anyone have them as downloads? In other words the only difference between a physical/digital game for the PS4/X1 is the delivery method of install data. The message is clear: physical games are now a high-end, optional part of the console gaming experience. They don't have to store physical copies of the games. We have been playing games together on ps4 for years, or helping eachother with games like God of War, but I never realized how much it made us bond. It takes longer and more skill to cut loading times and HDD space used and as such games are poking above the size they really should be for current HDD spaces. Digital: - Pro: not having to switch discs. @Jacanuk: Yes, exactly, in terms of of the space used on the HDD. Both physical and digital versions of Nintendo Switch games have their perks as well as their shortcomings. How do you mean physical space or space in terms of the space used on the hdd? Good/Bad is a subjective perspective. 99 $32.99 $32.99 Physical versus Digital has been a topic for debate for a little while no and I have been thinking about making a video about it and I finally did! Because digital the entire game is stored on the ps4 but physical version the disc must be in the ps4 for the game to work which obviously makes it seem that the game or most of it should be on the disc. if i buy the game diigitally then everything the game needs to run has to be on the HDD. Teenage angst has paid off well, now I'm bored and old. Its up to the developer's discretion to decide how much to install vs how much to remain on disc. A few others say that physical discs takes significantly less space; and I'm talking about consoles. Privacy PolicyCookie SettingsDo Not Sell My InformationReport Ad. Saving $50 or $100 on the disc-less PlayStation 5 is not worth it, and we need only look at previous failures to understand why. PlayStation Now PS4 Games: The Complete List. Currently Playing: | Witcher 3: Blood and Wine (PS4) | Hollow Knight (PS4) |. The World: The Game for PS4 and Switch. Whats your current install size for Ghost of Tsushima? #DigitalVsPhysical #Gaming #PS4Please Subscribe to my New Game Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8tfgYBgKpdKYX50ATCnbag In terms of digital games costing the same as physical versions, it seems that there are a few main drivers to why digital games are at least the same price or more expensive than physical copies. ... For the first time more people downloaded Sony games on PS4 than bought them according to Sony's latest earnings report. No half/half, it's one or the other for me. but on the PS3 say, physical games would generally take up less HDD space than digital ones on the HDD because only part of the game is installed to the HDD. Some gamers like to buy all their PS4 games online. I thought a good chunk the appeal of a console is inserting the disc and calling it good, "plug and play" as they say. No spoilers, was the Ghost of Tsushima Digital Upgrade DLC worth it? RDR2 has two disc by the way and you need to install both so you might only be half way done. How do i fix My ps4 games which got locked after connecting to the internet? I buy all my digital games on sale in ps4 store. PS. The disc drive whirs into action to confirm the correct disc is in upon boot-up, but after that the drive becomes inactive. Some games may only benefit from having a few assets on the hard drive and can run mostly off the disc. Digital and physical copies both use the same amount of HDD space. Become a Patron, so we can produce more of the content you enjoy! I woul love to support them more, but they have to meet me halfway with the price. Well you can cut down the size of the physical copies to just the disc themselves. Another strike against physical copies. You can tell because outside of the moments just after booting the game up both the X1/PS4 disc is completely silent (stops moving). Firmware 6 something or maybe 5.5 something changed it so that the entire disc is copied. Thanks, that explains everything. Why is my left analog stick make my movement slow in game. Even Uncharted shouldn't be 40gigs but devs take the p*ss these days. You almost make it sound like this "new, cutting-edge technology" is a good thing. Xbox yes, ps4 sometimes KH 2.8 installs a bit but a fair amount is still on the disc. its just that when using a disc not everything needs to be transferred to the HDD. You have to physically store the discs somewhere, which is one more thing to carry around if you ever move your PS4 (-) Except for ex-post-facto patches, you can't remotely install them (-) If your physical disc is lost or stolen, you're screwed (-) Digital: You can remotely download and install them (+) No physical storage space required (+) @jameboycolor: I am the same - I went almost full digital with my new PS4, but now I am at 90% physical becasue it's cheaper, faster to re-install and I can always lend those to friends or even sell.And yes, a good portion of games is used, so no money for developers, but I have to go with my wallet on this one. I'm not sure of the X1, but if you're talking about PS4, even the physical disc installs the entire game to the HD. I think it’s mostly the game saves that are being saved to the ps4. Might not be … - con: cannot trade in Physical: - pro: no need to download 50gb game data. A luxury. If you mean that games are bigger in size when they come on DD then physical, then no i haven't noticed that. If you pre-order a digital copy of a video game you will either be able to download a copy immediately (being able to play it once the game is officially released) or download the game at the moment it is officially released. You get to "own" your copy? I was thinking about this was thinking about going digital from now on but need a new 1tb hard drive. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I've been experimenting with PS4 and I was a little shocked that games need to be installed on the hard drive. Physically bought games takes the same amount of space in HDD as in digital. @Jacanuk: @XaosII: Ah, I see. I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I still don't get it. so if im using a disc then the textures, sounds and so on may be transferred to the HDD but the FMVs and music may stay on the disc. im not sure what its like for the PS4 and X1. Sony digital sales overtake physical sales for first time on PS4. The opinion of Good/Bad, in this particular situation, is blurred by the biases and technological hindrances of their respective owners. From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do. Generally speaking, in this day and age, games on a physical storage medium are installers that will require you to connect online to get the latest updates regardless of other circumstances. I don't suppose I can use them without the disks then if the whole thing has been downloaded? Like our content? With digital copies, it's the entire game written into the hard drive, so naturally that's more space right there. The stupid, stupid people! That is actually something that happens more often but it is always up to the developer, with dual-layer Blu-ray and BDXL´s its not because they have to be installed. Fortunately, increasing your storage can be as simple as plugging an external hard drive into one of the PS4’s USB 3.0 ports. because then yes of course it feels like digital copies take up more space because space on a hdd is more limited. Do you have external storage to store additional games, and do you have good Internet speed to download the digital games fast enough? Exotic Items / Location Guide (January 8-12). Some games also can't transfer saves between the digital and physical copies. And some games will copy themselves entirely unto the hard drive, download updates, and apply them which could notably increase in size as some of those updates could add free content. I mean, that's one game. Its entirely possible that a digital version can actually take up more space than whats on the entire disc. But what about your PS4's HDD? Not disc ejection issues. The Digital-Only PS5 Is Still a Bad Idea. Digital content won’t ever completely kill off physical media but will warp it into a niche product reserved for enthusiasts very much in the same way vinyl records are a collector’s item. It should install the base game files but load textures etc in advance during gameplay. Depends on the hard drive size and the game. One answered given to what if the DD site stop is to have a disc backup. my disc from GameFly was apparently damaged and I can't play it. Digital takes up more space. Buying a game on a physical format only to find out that it only contans an installer is not a good thing, never was, never will be. Was a little disappointed to find out that A.) Only difference is its quicker to install games from the disc rather than through PSN servers. Especially as consoles so often are sold with comparatively small HDD's with bigger one's costing more than the market value. @mastermetal777: I heard from somewhere that the disc is only a key for activating the game whilst the game's data and content are on the HDD? :S. I wouldn't take RDR2 as an indication of how long it usually takes, RDR2s download was especially long, I think the longest I have seen on the PS4. If I have unlimited bandwidth and I want the game to be up-to-date (maybe I enjoy upgrading my computer and the new hardware requires updated drivers,) then being always-online and receiving regular updates downloaded asynchronously is incredibly advantageous. - con: can be more expensive. Call Of Duty: Warzone And Black Ops Cold War Patch. BUBM Portable Carrying Case Compatible with PS4/ PS4 PRO, Fit Xbox One Game Disc Storage Bag Travel Case(Hold Up to 20 Discs)-Black 4.7 out of 5 stars 442 $18.99 $ 18 . Generally, physical media is more flexible but a slightly more tedious. They take up the same space. This topic is locked from further discussion. Kinda dumb for them to force the full game to be downloaded but still need the disk then. But no, games like Uncharted 4 and Horizon: Zero Dawn require upwards of 40 GB of hard drive space. @Articuno76: Wait, so in general, they're pretty much same in size on the HDD regardless of being in disc or digital format? All the files goes to your PS4 storage, which makes no difference whether you use physical or digital. © 2021 GAMESPOT, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Thanks to the system software update 4.5, you can store downloaded games and game data on an external hard drive and play them as you normally would, even if they’re not on the PS4’s internal hard drive. Correction: Physical games generally take up less HDD space than digital ones on the HDD because only part of the game is installed to the HDD.