Digital Download VS. Physical Disks?

[Phyrie]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any advice about digital downloading the new EP, as opposed to buying the physical disks?  I can buy the digital download from the EA store right now for $39.95US, as opposed to $59.99CAN from Amazon.ca for the hard copy.  I will also need to install it on two computers (my laptop for travel and my desktop for home use).  I don't know if I can do that with the digital download.  I am anxious to play!  LOL!

Thanks, Phyrie 

[Pam]

Great topic, Phyrie!

I prefer disks because it's comforting for me to have the disk, booklet, access code, etc. in my hot little hands for the times I have to reinstall the game.  I'm also old fashioned (translated: old) and I'm not usually first in line for the new fangled ways of doing things. There's just something about having to rely in the internet for downloading my game that makes me a tiny bit nervous. I'm not convinced that the internet isn't still going to crash and burn someday, and if it does, I'll still have my Sims! 

p.s. I moved the topic to Technical Help.

[KySue]

For a cheaper, faster delivery of the game, I recommend a digital download.  I have a physical copy of Sims 2 and bought Sims 3 via digital download.  I chose digital download for Ambitions because it is hands-down a better choice for me.  For one, I'm unorganized and lost my Sims 2 discs (except for 1 expansion pack) so I'm not able to re-install it after my recent computer crash.  With the digital download, it's easy to  download to a new (or recently reformatted) computer - just log into the download manager and your digital copies are available for download.  I believe you can authorize up to 5 computers, so you only have to buy it once to be able to install it on your laptop and desktop.   The one minor concern I have about it is the need to install two programs (EADM and Adobe Air) to run in the background while you play for copyright verification. 

[jmz95]

Like Pam, I like the physical copies of games. The only thing I'm concerned about, is can you install the game on two computers? I've heard from my friend that some games only let you install them on one computer. With a digital download, you wouldn't have to worry about that, at least I don't think you would. I just feel more secure with physical copies of things.

[Phyrie]

Pam, I thoroughly understand the desire to feel it solid in your hands.  There is something lovely about opening new stuff.  I never buy used books as I wouldn't get that "new book smell"!  But in this case, I think I will sacrifice the holding for the having.  Well, having much cheaper anyway!

BTW, you and I are the same age, according to your profile, so I understand that too!  LOL!

Alsotoo, I worried when I couldn't see my post, because you had moved it.  I thought I had stepped in it again somehow! 
I just discussed this with my husband.  He says I should wait for the hard copy, even though it costs so much more.  So, I'm going to download it tonight!  *grin*

[Pam]

Alsotoo, I worried when I couldn't see my post, because you had moved it.  I thought I had stepped in it again somehow! 

No, no, you're fine!  I thought it was a good topic and should have it's own spot, and Technical Help seemed the best place. 

[Swede1992]

The only thing I'm concerned about, is can you install the game on two computers? I've heard from my friend that some games only let you install them on one computer.

It is like this with many games, but most often with games (as with the Sims) they only require you to have the disk while starting up the game from the desktop. Therefore, you can play on several computers in the same house at the same time without an illegal crack software, but you can't give your disk away to someone else. Personally, I think that is the best solution.

Games that require online certification usually works differently, but there is often a solution for a household of gamers.

[Phyrie]

Well, I bit the bullet and did it!  First off though, I uninstalled everything, from the core game, to HELS, and WA, including a couple of third party programs that tweak the framerate.  I went so far as to edit the registry just to be sure everything was gone (Thanks for instructions, Pam!).  I wanted to be sure it went smoothly, and I thought a clean install would be a good way to start.  I've never bought a big game this way (digital download) before, so I didn't want to take any chances.

It was a big download, and even with my pretty fast connection, it took about 3.5 hours.  I went to bed and let it do it's thing.  I continued the install today, and have just finished now (I had other stuff to do today too!).  It went smooth as silk and the new game looks great!  It also incorporated my saved games very well, and asked me if I wanted to add the new public buildings before continuing a saved game.  Neat! 

Well, I'm off to play.  See ya in a few weeks!  LOL!

[Pam]

Outstanding, Phyrie!  Great that it's all working nicely! 

[Archer0]

I've been a lurker at this site for a few months since buying Sims3, but figured I would break in my 1st post and throw in my 2 cents on this topic.    I recently went through the decision process of buying Ambitions from EA's online store.  Cut to the chase, I didn't buy from them.  And no, I am not a rep or fanboy for the site I mention below.

Unless I find a really good deal on the physical copies, or a digital download is simply not available, I buy all my games digitally(many times digital is cheaper, but not always).  I do not like having to have the CD/DVD in the drive to run the game, although more and more game companies are no longer requiring this, it just depends.  Like others mentioned, I also tend to lose the discs amongst all my computer junk.

I use a website called direct2drive.com.  I've had a very positive experience buying from them over the years.  They do not require active software connected to the internet to run the actual game after buying, unlike other digital download services.  I think I read EA requires something like this as well for games you buy digitally from them.  This may not be an issue for some, but it is for me.

Also, you want to find out how long the company you buy from keeps the game for you to re-download at a later time.  Many charge extra for this service, but D2D currently gives 2 years worth of extended download time for free.  Although, it really doesn't matter, since you can backup the single file download to DVD in case you need to re-install at a later time.

When I went to buy from EA, because they had Ambitions available first, I found out that EA only allows you to download for 6 months or maybe it was 1 year, unless you buy their extended service(which they try to add to the cart by default).  The other gotcha is that there is apparently no way to backup the downloads from EA's digital download service.  I found a couple random forum posts about people doing it, but it seemed cumbersome and unclear, and no official instructions from EA on how to backup.  They just say to re-download.  All that combined was enough to make me wait for D2D to have Ambitions available.

Hope this helps for future digital purchases.

[jmz95]

Well, I wasn't going to quote your post Archer, but that is some really interesting insight on this issue. The only problem I would have with buying a digital copy is, like you mentioned, many sites require you to pay again after a couple years or even months if you need to re-download the game. With the disk, I pay once and it's done. Also, I'm fairly organized with my games, so I won't have the problem of losing my games in the piles of my other computer stuff, but that's just me. I do have a question for you about the digital copy, can you download the game on multiple computers while just paying once?

[Archer0]

I do have a question for you about the digital copy, can you download the game on multiple computers while just paying once?

Sorry, I actually meant to comment on this issue in my post, but work distracted me. 

It will depend on the site's policy.  With D2D I have not had a problem installing the games on multiple computers or even re-installing on the same computer.  I have 2 desktops, and 1 laptop.  I just download once and move the downloaded install file across the network or use a USB pen drive, but there is also no limitation on number of downloads, except for the time frame.  There is no activation check with D2D when you install the game,  just whatever activation the game does with the game maker.  So, the game maker could be the stopping point of running some games on multiple computers.

One time I bought a digital game from Gamestop's digital service, and after 3 activations/re-installs, I could no longer play that game.  Made me quite frustrated at the waste of money.  I do not know if that is still their policy.

One other thing to watch, that I forgot to mention, is that many digital downloads cannot be refunded.  They will typically only give store credit.  Of course, many regular stores do this as well.

[KySue]

Yes, you can download the game from EA on multiple computers while just paying once.  You can have up to five computers authorized to run the game at any time.  Unlike the physical copy that requires the disc to start the game, you can have the computers in different locations and play at the same time - a college student living in the dorm could play at the same time that her little sister was playing at home using a single purchase of the digital download.  

I have not experienced any issues with games being unavailable from EA for re-download at a later time, and that includes games I purchased online more than a year ago.  

[jmz95]

Yes, you can download the game from EA on multiple computers while just paying once.  You can have up to five computers authorized to run the game at any time.  Unlike the physical copy that requires the disc to start the game, you can have the computers in different locations and play at the same time - a college student living in the dorm could play at the same time that her little sister was playing at home using a single purchase of the digital download.  

I have not experienced any issues with games being unavailable from EA for re-download at a later time, and that includes games I purchased online more than a year ago.  

Cool! This will probably come in use to me in 3-4 years when I'm at college and my brother is still at home, and by then Sims 4 might have come out (if they still follow the 4-5 years between games).

[Pam]

I use a website called direct2drive.com. 

That's what Carl uses.