PC Game Downloads

 Over the years the computer gaming industry has adapted and changed with the times. From the earliest days of cassette based games, and games that came on a 'rom', the market has transitioned through games on CD to the modern day game which resides on a DVD.

However, the latest move is to remove a physical copy of the game and have the user download the game directly to their hard drive. This currently is only a small part of the gaming market, but is sure to be one that grows over time.

There are many advantages of being able to download games directly to your hard-drive:

• Cost savings - as more and more of games are sold as downloads, the production costs relating to printing manuals, producing cases and burning DVDs will be reduced - whether the manuafacturer passes this on to the consumer remains to be seen though.
• Environment - a top selling game can sell several million copies - for the more expansive games there is usually a 20 (or more) page manual - multiply this by the number of copies and you have a lot of paper - downloadable games come with an electronic copy of the manual - while you can print if you wish, the environment will benefit with a lot less paper and ink being used.
• Copy - over time I've lost or broken many DVDs, lost the case and therefore the registration number - therefore I have had to buy the game again if I wanted to replay it. In many cases, with downloadable games, you have a copy of the game stored online which can be re-downloaded whenever you want.

 There are also some disadvantages of being able to download games directly to your hard-drive:

• Resell- many gamers will play a game, complete it and then either sell it on ebay, or take it to a computer store and get a rebate on a new game. While it is possible to sell digital copies of games online, it is much harder - firstly a lot of people will not trust that the game is a legal copy; secondly the actual process of transferring the game is more complex as you will have to unregister yourself as owner and pass on the new registration information.
• Tangible - some people like having something tangible to show they own the game - whether it's the manual, the case or the maps that often come with the game. Whatever it is, you do not get the same ownership feel with a digital download.

Direct2Drive

This is my company of choice. Their website is well designed and easy to navigate, the choice and variety of games is excellent and occasionally they have some excellent sales – I recently downloaded Civilization IV for $5.

The download process is very simple; Direct 2 Drive has its own download ‘system’ that is very easy to use. The registration process is simple, and they always send the download details to your chosen email  - Direct 2 Drive seem to be the only company to allow you to re-download.

Direct2Drive also have most of the modern PC games; I recently also downloaded Dragon Age and Divinty II.

Amazon

Amazon have a good variety of games to download but don’t have too many of the recent blockbusters  - they seem to be more aimed at the casual gamer than the hardcore gamer. Their interface is easy to use and they probably have the smoothest download method available. I do not think they allow you to keep on downloading the game you bought though – so always make a backup copy.

Gamespot

Gamestop are one of the best known retailers online and offline of retail games. Like Direct2Drive they offer all the top games for download and the process is relatively easy. This is my second favorite online download store!

Microsoft

Microsoft only sell their own games online – but WOW what games they are! With the likes of Halo 3 they certainly have some of the best games to download.