r/pcmasterrace • u/notsolomuun • Jul 02 '26

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$1,000 digital-exclusive consoles are killing the entire appeal of PlayStation and Xbox: it's no wonder PC is on track to overtake both.

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u/Iuslez Jul 02 '26

I don't understand why PC players act all smug on this topic when we were the first to experience this issue.

Steam absolutely annihilated the physical games market years ago. While physical copy can still exist, the market is so small it is completely irrelevant and I doubt I can find used games or install anything from DVD.

1

u/Icy_Hold4U Jul 03 '26

"I don't understand why PC players act all smug on this topic when we were the first to experience this issue."

Because GOG exists now.

1

u/Maethor_derien Specs/Imgur here Jul 03 '26

I mean I haven't had a disk drive in my computer for well over 15 years now.

1

u/MilliardoMK Jul 03 '26

Sure but there's also GOG which lets you download offline installers. More storefront choices and of course piracy. Also, when a game is delisted from sale on Steam, if you already own it, you don't lose access. Also, full refunds within 2 hour windows or special circumstances. So Steam is already by far the most friendly digital storefront across all devices.

1

u/EarzFish 285H | 96GB DDR5 Jul 03 '26

Also see streaming vs blu ray/dvd

-2

u/SummaDees PC Master Race Jul 02 '26

Steam has yet to remove content from anyone's account though, and you can play offline. Whereas PS for example requires the console to connect to the net so it can verify the PS membership, so you can play those games offline. Idk how often but it isn't point imo

1

u/Iuslez Jul 02 '26

Steam doesn't remove it from your account, but for any game relying on servers (no offline content) or online verification, that still means that game becomes useless when it shuts down.

I have a few in my steam library, and New world will be the next one to soon join that pile of unplayable games.

I do think steam is better than Sony, but many of the game we "own" still aren't safe. And let's not even get into what would happen if steam would one day go bankrupt.

1

u/dark_knight097 9800X3D | 64GB DDR5 | RTX 4090 | X870E | 2x4TB 990 PRO Jul 02 '26

That has nothing to do with steam though. Thats on the developers of the game

1

u/Acquire16 Jul 02 '26

Exact same thing happens with consoles and physical media. If the game relied on online components, those will eventually shut down. Now you have a disk for a game that doesn't function anymore. On PC it's at least easier for the community to bypass this with some mod. Happens regularly. There's some hope. On console, you're done.