And some games will copy themselves entirely unto the hard drive, download updates, and apply them which could notably increase in size as some of those updates could add free content. Thanks to the system software update 4.5, you can store downloaded games and game data on an external hard drive and play them as you normally would, even if they’re not on the PS4’s internal hard drive. - con: can be more expensive. I woul love to support them more, but they have to meet me halfway with the price. I have game files that are nearly 100 gigs and I have the discs. Some games also can't transfer saves between the digital and physical copies. We have been playing games together on ps4 for years, or helping eachother with games like God of War, but I never realized how much it made us bond. In other words the only difference between a physical/digital game for the PS4/X1 is the delivery method of install data. I think it’s mostly the game saves that are being saved to the ps4. @mastermetal777: I heard from somewhere that the disc is only a key for activating the game whilst the game's data and content are on the HDD? The World: The Game for PS4 and Switch. Whats your current install size for Ghost of Tsushima? Cyberpunk delisting foreshadows what to expect once Sony goes digital. Physical versus Digital has been a topic for debate for a little while no and I have been thinking about making a video about it and I finally did! im not sure what its like for the PS4 and X1. From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do on the HDD. Was a little disappointed to find out that A.) Call Of Duty: Warzone And Black Ops Cold War Patch. Physical Disks vs Digital size PlayStation 4 PlayStation 4. I thought a good chunk the appeal of a console is inserting the disc and calling it good, "plug and play" as they say. A luxury. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. - con: cannot trade in Physical: - pro: no need to download 50gb game data. Very little consideration is given to this aspect of game dev's by the AAA studios it seems. 99 $32.99 $32.99 Or is that a misconception? Might not be … That is actually something that happens more often but it is always up to the developer, with dual-layer Blu-ray and BDXL´s its not because they have to be installed. Yes, you should compare statistics and come back with results. I'm not sure, you'd have to compare the space taken up by both versions of the same game. It used to be you stick the disc in and the install was just a few seconds. But what about your PS4's HDD? Because digital the entire game is stored on the ps4 but physical version the disc must be in the ps4 for the game to work which obviously makes it seem that the game or most of it should be on the disc. The message is clear: physical games are now a high-end, optional part of the console gaming experience. Buying a game on a physical format only to find out that it only contans an installer is not a good thing, never was, never will be. Digital: - Pro: not having to switch discs. Physical Games Vs Digital GamesThese days its hard to decide which is better, physical or digital media. @Articuno76: Wait, so in general, they're pretty much same in size on the HDD regardless of being in disc or digital format? Become a Patron, so we can produce more of the content you enjoy! In terms of digital games costing the same as physical versions, it seems that there are a few main drivers to why digital games are at least the same price or more expensive than physical copies. Firmware 6 something or maybe 5.5 something changed it so that the entire disc is copied. @jameboycolor: I am the same - I went almost full digital with my new PS4, but now I am at 90% physical becasue it's cheaper, faster to re-install and I can always lend those to friends or even sell.And yes, a good portion of games is used, so no money for developers, but I have to go with my wallet on this one. I did swap the disk. so if im using a disc then the textures, sounds and so on may be transferred to the HDD but the FMVs and music may stay on the disc. Instead, they can hop over the online store anytime, select a game, and own it within minutes. I just want to know if the size was any difference. If you mean that games are bigger in size when they come on DD then physical, then no i haven't noticed that. Its possible some games don't install, run entirely off the disc, but take advantages of updates that are downloaded and installed. Saving $50 or $100 on the disc-less PlayStation 5 is not worth it, and we need only look at previous failures to understand why. Sony digital sales overtake physical sales for first time on PS4. They don't have to go out to a store to hunt down a game that they really want to try, and neither do they have to wait for a disc that they ordered online to arrive in the mail. Otherwise initial loading times are still going to be very long even loading from the hdd. You get to "own" your copy? To determine which route is right for you, you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of both physical and digital games against each other while considering how you plan on playing your games. but on the PS3 say, physical games would generally take up less HDD space than digital ones on the HDD because only part of the game is installed to the HDD. I was thinking about this was thinking about going digital from now on but need a new 1tb hard drive. Anyone have them as downloads? They are so lazy about keeping files sizes down, they really don't seem to be putting any effort into that aspect at all. It should install the base game files but load textures etc in advance during gameplay. On PS4, I have FIFA 14, 15, BF4, and Killzone on disc. Digital content won’t ever completely kill off physical media but will warp it into a niche product reserved for enthusiasts very much in the same way vinyl records are a collector’s item. Some games may only benefit from having a few assets on the hard drive and can run mostly off the disc. My goal was to save hdd space. @Jacanuk: Yes, exactly, in terms of of the space used on the HDD. You have to physically store the discs somewhere, which is one more thing to carry around if you ever move your PS4 (-) Except for ex-post-facto patches, you can't remotely install them (-) If your physical disc is lost or stolen, you're screwed (-) Digital: You can remotely download and install them (+) No physical storage space required (+) How do i fix My ps4 games which got locked after connecting to the internet? my disc from GameFly was apparently damaged and I can't play it. It's finally 2021, but the PS5 isn't any easier to find in stock. @jimmy_russell: nah I'll stick with consoles. When a disc is played, the system is reading the information off the disc, and the partial download is so the system can run it a little easier. i am not sure about this, but i think they take more space than physical. Check online inventory and the latest PS5 restock news here. Also be forewarned, TC. The disc is just a verification for the licence you hold for the game. Generally speaking, in this day and age, games on a physical storage medium are installers that will require you to connect online to get the latest updates regardless of other circumstances. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Some games will just copy the entire disc unto the hard drive; this is the easiest way of handling it. Need to switch from child to adult without deleting my account how? level 2. Current gen games (digital or physical) run entirely off the HDD (full installs are mandatory). Thanks, that explains everything. You almost make it sound like this "new, cutting-edge technology" is a good thing. RDR2 has two disc by the way and you need to install both so you might only be half way done. Correction: Physical games generally take up less HDD space than digital ones on the HDD because only part of the game is installed to the HDD. From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do. Exotic Items / Location Guide (January 8-12). my game had to download for a few hours, and B.) #DigitalVsPhysical #Gaming #PS4Please Subscribe to my New Game Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8tfgYBgKpdKYX50ATCnbag Well you can cut down the size of the physical copies to just the disc themselves. Especially as consoles so often are sold with comparatively small HDD's with bigger one's costing more than the market value. Games just seem to be getting bigger and bigger to download. Like our content? Its up to the developer's discretion to decide how much to install vs how much to remain on disc. An increasingly vital accessory, one of the best PS4 external hard drives will immediately boost your PS4's storage and give your data and games some extra breathing space Digital copies of video games are downloaded onto your video game system or associated storage device. 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