Almost two thirds of us prefer to buy our games boxed up and on a disc over downloading them online.  Research by Ipsos Media CT – which appeared on MCV – revealed that 64% of gamers preferred to buy titles on disc over downloading a digital copy.

This is compared to only 45% of music consumers preferring discs, and perhaps surprisingly, just 51% of film buyers preferring physical copies of their purchases. Who knew that downloadable films were so popular?

So why are we still so keen on buying our games in a box? Well, Ipsos Media CT Director Ian Bramley says it’s down to trade-ins and second hand sales.

“I believe the preference for physical discs amongst next gen gamers reflects the potential value they derive from the pre-owned market, which is holding up the preference for physical – this is unlike the music and film markets,”

“Physical games discs have a long and well-established history, which is a deep mindset to change – particularly when gamers build a physical collection as they fear losing digital versions. And in-store browsing is also important to buyers.”

So, Train2Game students, as the Games Designers, Games Developers and Games Artists & Animators of the future, what form of distribution would you prefer to release your games with? Or is the format not important, with it being more a matter of getting your games out there.

As usual, feel free to leave your comments either here or on the Train2Game forum.

You can also check out blogs about both Round 1 and Round 2 of the Discs vs. Digital debate for more information and other thoughts on the issue.