CD or Download For FOF2k4?

Shepp · 10-31-2003, 11:11 AM

I read on the Q&A post with Jim that he is considering the next release of FOF to be a download only product. I see the advantages of such a decision but I personally would prefer a CD product. Call me crazy but when I have a CD I know for a fact that I will have the game no matter what happens to my computer or hard drive and I would gladly pay extra for that piece of mind. I was was just curious to see what everyone else's opinion was on the subject.

Ben E Lou · 10-31-2003, 11:19 AM

Someone started a thread recently about Viatech and their customer service level, and I'd echo that. I had a hard drive re-format that cost me my OOTP5 license. I sent an e-mail, and had it back in less than 2 hours (and this was on a weekend). For me, that is less of an inconvenience than having to store more and more CD's. Combine that with the ability to play the game within a few minutes of paying for it, and I'm sold on downloading as my delivery option. Even when I have the option of either, I'll go download every time. I've never had a significant problem with a downloaded game, but I sure have had lost and/or damaged game CD's.

cthomer5000 · 10-31-2003, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SkyDog
Someone started a thread recently about Viatech and their customer service level, and I'd echo that. I had a hard drive re-format that cost me my OOTP5 license. I sent an e-mail, and had it back in less than 2 hours (and this was on a weekend). For me, that is less of an inconvenience than having to store more and more CD's. Combine that with the ability to play the game within a few minutes of paying for it, and I'm sold on downloading as my delivery option. Even when I have the option of either, I'll go download every time. I've never had a significant problem with a downloaded game, but I sure have had lost and/or damaged game CD's.

And perhaps most importantly, a download means the game costs us less.

Ben E Lou · 10-31-2003, 11:22 AM

Dola--

For example, I didn't realize it, but I lost my TCY CD. I have the box and order info, but have no clue where the CD is. I am fairly certain it is SOMEWHERE in my house, and most likely in a CD or DVD case, albeit the wrong one. I'd have to go through every case and jacket in my home (probably 200-300) to find it. Ugh.

FrogMan · 10-31-2003, 11:22 AM

no shipping fee ($10 to Canada) + ability to play right away, that makes me a fan of the downloadable version...

FM

JonInMiddleGA · 10-31-2003, 11:31 AM

Ditto the positive comments about ViaTech customer service. Their standard + instant play = d'load doesn't bother me a bit at this point.

Eaglesfan27 · 10-31-2003, 12:29 PM

I've lost the disks or CD's of so many games over the years, but when I've lost download versions of game such as OOTP and JSB (due to hard drive failure,) I've been able to retrieve them very easily. I'm definitely in preference of downloaded games versus CD games.

FBPro · 10-31-2003, 01:44 PM

It is fantastic to be playing a game within moments of the release, not having to wait on the USPS or UPS. Not to mention that the tech support is second to none.

azjoe_02 · 10-31-2003, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shepp
I read on the Q&A post with Jim that he is considering the next release of FOF to be a download only product. I see the advantages of such a decision but I personally would prefer a CD product. Call me crazy but when I have a CD I know for a fact that I will have the game no matter what happens to my computer or hard drive and I would gladly pay extra for that piece of mind. I was was just curious to see what everyone else's opinion was on the subject.

I'm with you on this. It is the piece if mind of having a product in hand.

yabanci · 11-01-2003, 12:00 AM

I'm 100% in favor of electronic distribution.

HeavyReign · 11-01-2003, 03:06 AM

Download is better so we don't have to sit around waiting for the order page to be posted in hopes of being one of the people who gets in the first day of shipments. I always tend to miss out on the first group.

sabotai · 11-01-2003, 04:09 AM

I always felt it gave me peace of mind to know that whenever I want the game, I can just download it and have it up and running in minutes. Like SkyDog has done plenty of times, it's easy to lose a CD (and much easier to lose the CD-Key/Reg Code).

the_meanstrosity · 11-01-2003, 09:15 AM

My preference is to have the CD. Unlike other posters, I trust my organizational skills more so than companies like Digital River or ViaTech.

Someone mentioned a "price decrease". I don't know if that is necessarily correct. After all, instead of paying for the physical CD and packaging, you are paying Via Tech to "hold" the copy licenses. I'm certain that Via Tech is making a healthy profit off of this.

Maybe it's because I organize my cds, but I don't see an advantage in going to electronic download for consumers. It's too easy for companies like Digital River and Via Tech to go out of business, leaving customers out to dry. Jim's usually been good about working the problems out, but it's certainly another headache that Jim hadn't planned on dealing with when he signed to work on with Digital River.

Shepp · 11-01-2003, 01:36 PM

I have never had any dealing with Viatech so I can't comment on their service. However, I do remember Digital River from FOF2 and must say I was not very impressed. I'll still buy the game if its download only, but I would prefer to have the media in my hot little hand. The tech support may be good today but who knows what it will be like down the road.

finkenst · 11-01-2003, 01:59 PM

wasn't digital river EA's monstrosity for distribution?

Ben E Lou · 11-01-2003, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shepp
I have never had any dealing with Viatech so I can't comment on their service. However, I do remember Digital River from FOF2 and must say I was not very impressed. I'll still buy the game if its download only, but I would prefer to have the media in my hot little hand. The tech support may be good today but who knows what it will be like down the road.

I'd say at this point, Viatech has moved to being a "proven" company, in a field that is not going away, but will only expand. They'd have to have a pretty major screw-up to totally go under any time soon.

the_meanstrosity · 11-01-2003, 10:57 PM

Skydog,

Better companies have gone under. Digital River was at one time (and may still be) the largest online software distributor. And we know that their service went to hell.

And you make a good point. The field isn't going away. It's going to continue to evolve. And that's what scares me. It's easy for companies like Digital River and ViaTech to evolve in the wrong direction and lead to poor customer service. Support is always one of the first areas to go when a company has troubles.

Pumpy Tudors · 11-01-2003, 11:23 PM

So how many times a week does this type of thread come up? I'm not saying not to talk about it (I don't mind, and it's not my place to complain about it anyway), but how many times have we seen this discussion before? Any guesses?

the_meanstrosity · 11-02-2003, 12:56 AM

7 times?

10-31-2003, 11:19 AM	#2
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	Someone started a thread recently about Viatech and their customer service level, and I'd echo that. I had a hard drive re-format that cost me my OOTP5 license. I sent an e-mail, and had it back in less than 2 hours (and this was on a weekend). For me, that is less of an inconvenience than having to store more and more CD's. Combine that with the ability to play the game within a few minutes of paying for it, and I'm sold on downloading as my delivery option. Even when I have the option of either, I'll go download every time. I've never had a significant problem with a downloaded game, but I sure have had lost and/or damaged game CD's. __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

10-31-2003, 11:22 AM	#4
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	Dola-- For example, I didn't realize it, but I lost my TCY CD. I have the box and order info, but have no clue where the CD is. I am fairly certain it is SOMEWHERE in my house, and most likely in a CD or DVD case, albeit the wrong one. I'd have to go through every case and jacket in my home (probably 200-300) to find it. Ugh. __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

10-31-2003, 11:22 AM	#5
FrogMan Hattrick Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pintendre, Qc, Canada	no shipping fee ($10 to Canada) + ability to play right away, that makes me a fan of the downloadable version... FM __________________ A Black Belt is a White Belt who refused to give up... follow my story: The real life story of a running frog...

10-31-2003, 11:31 AM	#6
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Ditto the positive comments about ViaTech customer service. Their standard + instant play = d'load doesn't bother me a bit at this point. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

10-31-2003, 12:29 PM	#7
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	I've lost the disks or CD's of so many games over the years, but when I've lost download versions of game such as OOTP and JSB (due to hard drive failure,) I've been able to retrieve them very easily. I'm definitely in preference of downloaded games versus CD games. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

10-31-2003, 01:44 PM	#8
FBPro College Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SE	It is fantastic to be playing a game within moments of the release, not having to wait on the USPS or UPS. Not to mention that the tech support is second to none. __________________ GM RayCo Raiders-est. 2004-2012 Charter member of the IHOF-RayCo GM GM Tennessee Titans PFL 2011-2014 GM Tennessee Titans FOWL 2020-2025

11-01-2003, 12:00 AM	#10
yabanci College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jun 2003	I'm 100% in favor of electronic distribution.

11-01-2003, 03:06 AM	#11
HeavyReign Fast Break Basketball Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Spokane, WA	Download is better so we don't have to sit around waiting for the order page to be posted in hopes of being one of the people who gets in the first day of shipments. I always tend to miss out on the first group. __________________ Brian Nichols [email protected] Fast Break Basketball / Fast Break Basketball: SE / Season Ticket Basketball 2003 / Fast Break College Basketball / Fast Break College Basketball 2010 / Fast Break Pro Basketball 3 http://www.fbbgames.com/forum/

11-01-2003, 04:09 AM	#12
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I always felt it gave me peace of mind to know that whenever I want the game, I can just download it and have it up and running in minutes. Like SkyDog has done plenty of times, it's easy to lose a CD (and much easier to lose the CD-Key/Reg Code).

11-01-2003, 09:15 AM	#13
the_meanstrosity College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002	My preference is to have the CD. Unlike other posters, I trust my organizational skills more so than companies like Digital River or ViaTech. Someone mentioned a "price decrease". I don't know if that is necessarily correct. After all, instead of paying for the physical CD and packaging, you are paying Via Tech to "hold" the copy licenses. I'm certain that Via Tech is making a healthy profit off of this. Maybe it's because I organize my cds, but I don't see an advantage in going to electronic download for consumers. It's too easy for companies like Digital River and Via Tech to go out of business, leaving customers out to dry. Jim's usually been good about working the problems out, but it's certainly another headache that Jim hadn't planned on dealing with when he signed to work on with Digital River.

11-01-2003, 01:36 PM	#14
Shepp High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA	I have never had any dealing with Viatech so I can't comment on their service. However, I do remember Digital River from FOF2 and must say I was not very impressed. I'll still buy the game if its download only, but I would prefer to have the media in my hot little hand. The tech support may be good today but who knows what it will be like down the road.

11-01-2003, 10:57 PM	#17
the_meanstrosity College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002	Skydog, Better companies have gone under. Digital River was at one time (and may still be) the largest online software distributor. And we know that their service went to hell. And you make a good point. The field isn't going away. It's going to continue to evolve. And that's what scares me. It's easy for companies like Digital River and ViaTech to evolve in the wrong direction and lead to poor customer service. Support is always one of the first areas to go when a company has troubles.

11-01-2003, 11:23 PM	#18
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	So how many times a week does this type of thread come up? I'm not saying not to talk about it (I don't mind, and it's not my place to complain about it anyway), but how many times have we seen this discussion before? Any guesses? __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

11-02-2003, 12:56 AM	#19
the_meanstrosity College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002	7 times?

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