I think it'll be interesting to see how things actually weigh up with regards to retail versus digital! Indication from valve would make it seem that digital should be definitely in the lead, but nevertheless it'll be fun to see how it all matches up.

This would also be interesting as a whole to judge the state of how prevalent digital is.

For example, based off the 14% sales of UK retail of crysis 2, if 60% of all sales were actually digital that would correspond to the PC having around a 29% share of the market and an actual PROFIT share (since digital is a minimum of 3x more profit than retail, the minimum of which is used in the calculation which obviously accounts for the 60% digital of the 29% only) of a whopping 43% meaning it would be a matter of a few % off total profits of two entire platforms.

Based on the retail sales/player numbers of bad company 2 this sounds perfectly reasonable and it'll be interesting to see how this poll pans out.

It's also interesting to note that although the PC does so ridiculously well based on the 60% assumption (which, based on the data, seems a good one), it is still most definitely worth the time to work on console versions too (although PC should be the priority, always). However with regards to tailoring to an individual platform, the ps3 shouldn't be getting much time at all as it only comes in at a measly 23% profit share compared to the PC's 43% and the xbox's 34%.

EDIT: Seems to be pretty much as expected really, maybe even higher with regards to digital.

Quick comparisons of relative share and profit share for PC based on % digital:

50% digital: sales: 25% profit share: 39%
60% digital: sales: 29% profit share: 43%
70% digital: sales: 35% profit share: 56%

Note how much the profit share inflates due to digitals influence at it's minimum value. If digital accounts for 4x more profit instead (which, i think for steam it does and it definitely will for EADM since all the money goes straight to EA/crytek) the profit share at 60% launches to a 53% instead!

bump to front page, the higher the sample the number, the better

EA direct digi download

Retail

Steam. I buy every PC game on Steam. I am a Steam addict and I need help. I know that I am not alone.

Steam. I buy every PC game on Steam. I am a Steam addict and I need help. I know that I am not alone.

^^ Me too

And another bump to front page some nice sample data coming in so far. Pretty much seems to prove that retail figures mean nothing for PC gamers.

I bought mine on steam or I'd sure as hell be trying to get a refund from my local retailer.

EADM.

Most people who actually buy games go with Digital now.

Most people who actually buy games go with Digital now.

exactly, which is why it is so interesting to see just how well PC gaming is doing when extrapolating retail to include digital sales

First, I want to buy a Steam-version, but retail-case cost just $20 in my region (versus $60 on Steam), so my choice is retail. But if only the costs can be the same, I'd bought a Steam-version.

Digitals more expensive so I bought my from game (retail copy) and used my reward card...final price ￡17

Retail, I like looking at my shelves and see the games I bought, it feels like you get more for what you pay.

STEAM!!!

Retail. Digital feels to me as not actually "owning the game". I like it's box, it's nice box art, instruction manual which I sometimes read out of boredom, and of course, the fact that it sits on my PC games shelf as proof of PC being the supreme platform when compared to my 360 or ps3 shelf.

Retail. Digital feels to me as not actually "owning the game". I like it's box, it's nice box art, instruction manual which I sometimes read out of boredom, and of course, the fact that it sits on my PC games shelf as proof of PC being the supreme platform when compared to my 360 or ps3 shelf.
and dont forget the new game smell

EA store.

i bought in saturn germany fpr 39€

but its better to buy a very very cheap version in the internet cause you dont need a valid key to play it online....

stupid....

i payed for the game and many others can play online without having payed any money-now we dont need any no key servers....

I'm not statistician but I don't think you can draw any conclusions from n=40

STEAM for the win!

digital, got it for about 50% of the price of a retail version

I still prefer a boxed version personally and that's how I got mine - pre-order from Zavvi. Seems a bit daft that digital sales are not accounted for in sales figures.

especially since they account for more than half of all PC sales, this small poll seems to reflect the expected values.

bump