Sections of this topic
There is no denying that the world we currently live in is very different to what it once was. Almost everything that was ever possible has almost been changed in a way that would have been deemed unimaginable at one point in time. Now, it would be impossible to think of any other way of living.
Indeed, technology has played a huge role in how things have changed, with a number of developments and innovations having been made available and incredibly accessible for everyone to use.
The role of tech has changed so much ranging from the way consumers shop as they do not have to go to the physical store anymore with online shopping and delivery options available, whilst even industries such as the gambling sector have been impacted positive, with some casino operators able to provide over 1500 online slots to choose from all in one place!
The video game market is another that has been impacted in regard to technology, as well, as the way people are buying the games is completely different to how they would have once done so. However, are online stores the future for the industry?
Physical copies used to be everything
In years gone by, gamers would be required to go to a store to find their favourite video games and would have to purchase a physical copy of the game to play it. Whether it was a disc or a game cartridge, these pieces of hardware were the only way that a game console would be able to play the desired game.
Indeed, it could be argued that one of the best things about getting a new video game was being able to go to a store to pick up the copy, bring it home, rip off the cellophane and then enter the disc/cartridge into the games console. Additionally, collections could be proudly shown off with the cases that these games came in, as well. Whilst that is still possible, it is becoming a thing of the past.
Online stores changed everything
As mentioned, technology has continued to develop and evolve over the years and the gaming industry is perhaps one of the sectors that were always going to benefit from the changes that modernised tech would provide.
Sure, graphics and gameplay experiences were always going to change, however the way people are able to get ahold of the games that they wanted did, as well.
Individuals would now be able to access online gaming platforms such as Steam to access all of the best titles possible, where they would be able to download the game onto their system and play it immediately and fully after it had been downloaded.
Convenience made sure that these online stores would prevail, as well as the fact people no longer have the same amount of patience that they would have had in the past as consumers want things as quickly as possible.
Is physical media obsolete now?
Whilst there are collectors and traditionalists around in the world, it would be incredibly difficult to see the complete collapse of traditional physical copies in the world, however it would be silly not to suggest that there will be further declines in the future.
Game consoles are now equipped with the ability for titles to be downloaded from their online stores, whilst the element of the game being damaged is reduced as physical copies could be scratched, which would then see them stop being fully functional.
