Disc Vs. Streaming Content

As the time goes on, the less need there is for disc based gaming. Each system already allows for direct downloads of full length games bringing up the question: Is disc-based gaming already on the way out the door? The Playstation Now is a system that is revolutionizing video games by streaming previous generation Playstation games at a price, but never do you own the game at any time. Once the time purchased runs out, some of which are near full price for the actual game, then you must re-purchase the game in order to play it again. Sure it’s an advantageous price model for the companies, but all of us fans are really going to bite the bullet on it. Microsoft already flirts with digital ownership with their aggressive online ownership check but will this become the norm?

Similarly, there is a growing trend of pushing digital movie downloads. Currently many films are released digitally 2 or more weeks before the disc version comes out. The difference here is that these digital releases often times cannot deliver the best in quality in terms of picture or sound as they are compressed to keep file sizes down. Also the digital releases do not contain any of the extras we’ve become accustomed to getting with our disc purchases. However services like Netflix are aggressively bringing you great entertainment options in the form of original content such as Orange Is The New Black, Marvel’s Daredevil. Also, in an impressive and ambitious move, Netflix has secured the rights to the sequel Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Green Legend which will be released simultaneously on Netflix as well as in theatres next year on August 28th, 2015. This begs the question, is streaming content preferred over disc-based content? Big Pimpin’ J leads the debate with The Great Daitokuji and MegaShaun.

Chime in with your thoughts in the comments below! Do you still buy discs for movies and games? Or are you switching to a more on-the-go streaming model?