Most of us are by now familiar with "Digital Downloads" ( henceforth DD for the purposes of this blog) For those uninitiated in the art its very simple. Rather than go to a shop you now have the option to buy the product ( for this purpose Game and or Music Album) and DD it to your PC . The idea being that you save on some costs and ( depending on the size of the file and speed of the Internet in your area) have instant access to your purchased product . Sounds great doesn't it . My problem is however that I am not seeing any savings at all when purchasing the DD version versus the retail package version.
Case in point.. A new album was released by a band I like to listen to.
I went to a specific site to DD said album. Now before I make my purchase, I decide to check out the retail price which includes free shipping. I am shocked at what I see.. The retail version ( including a DVD of the band ) is the same price as the DD version. Ok .. so I lie .. its actually 4p more expensive . My point however stands that for 4p more, I get the CD/DVD edition with all the covers and bumpf etc .. and free delivery. My DD version which has the same tracks as the CD part of the retail is only 4p cheaper .
Can anyone else see the problem with this ???!?!??! I thought the whole point of DD was to save some monies, but I feel like I am being ripped off here. While its true I might NOT watch the DVD and read through the CD Inlay, the fact is I can choose to if I buy the retail ( FOR 4pence extra) The DD version however, gives me the Songs and that's it . True that's the meat and potatoes of what I want, but I just don't see the benefit of embracing DD's if I don't see some decent savings. I am not asking for half price here, but a quarter or third off would be nice to see and justify the DD reasons. As it stands, I will probably now go and buy the retail, rip the CD so I can listen to it on my "Jesus" Phone and know that if I can be arsed, watch the DVD and read the inlay.
I could continue my argument by going down the same road for DD's of games, but I think you get the point. I would really like to see the pricing model for DD's with certain sites.. see exactly where my monies are going.. You can be damn sure the artists or games designers dont see any of those extra monies saved from DD's over retail.
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