Favorite Digital Distribution Service

[Mickeymac]

We're talking anything from Direct2Drive, Steam, Crocus, Impulse, Windows Marketplace, etc. on the PC, along with Console services such as Wii or DSi Shop Channels, PS Store, or Xbox Marketplace.
For me, it would be Steam, followed by Xbox Marketplace.

Steam is far and away the best on the PC. I've used many others, but none are as user-friendly and offer as much content as Steam does, and of course, lets not forget about the absurd amount of sales. Seriously, I honestly wonder how much money they're actually making, since they practically give stuff away on a daily basis. Top it off with friends, easy download and installation, and achievements, and you have what is easily the best distribution service on the PC.

Xbox Marketplace is my favorite on consoles. While it isn't as slick or easy to navigate as the Wii Shop channel, it does offer User ratings for every game, and demoes for every XBLA and XNA game.

[Spore]

Steam for all the reasons you said. It essentially started the digital distribution revolution by force feeding it down our throats with Half-Life 2. Everybody complained about it then, but we were young; foolish. Without a doubt I can say that Steam is the best thing to happen to gaming this millennium. Of course, Steam wouldn't be nearly as good as it is without sharp competition from great services such as Impulse, GoG, Direct2Drive, and Gamers Gate. It's no wonder there are so many sales. As far as consoles go, I've only used the Virtual Console, so that really has to default as the best. If I could choose otherwise, the incredible amount of content on XBLA, whether official or XNA really gives it an edge.

[SegaFan]

I've tried two, Wii Shop Channel and Playstation Store. Of which Playstation's store is significantly better in terms of value for money and usability. I wish I could say Nintendo's was better, but it's just not unfortunately. I haven't tried XBLA but I have to mark it down heavily for removing poorly-performing games, which discourages people from having their own opinions.

I worry about digital distribution destroying the long-term lifespan of games and the ability to enjoy retro gaming in the future. That would all change if one of them answers the question of how we're going to keep our games permanently if they close down. Until then digital distribution will always be second to owning a physical copy.

[SKTTR]

For me it's all about the game selection, quality and quantity,
so I have to say Wii Shop since I downloaded 104 games there.

[Diebythesword]

Wii VC and PSN (JPN/HK has Raiden). XBLA is pretty legit, my fav thing about 360

[Tull]

Virtual Console duh

[Mickeymac]

Originally Posted by SegaFan

I haven't tried XBLA but I have to mark it down heavily for removing poorly-performing games, which discourages people from having their own opinions..

They stopped doing that years ago, once enough people complained. I think only a couple games got taken off in the end.

[kawaiipikachu]

Well shop channel .

Loads ot great games with pre-paid cards & small download sizes meaning that Games can be quickly easily downloaded on an ADSL internet connection which basically fits in with the majority of the internet user install base .
One thing with these services is that they load there virtual shops with massive size downloads with really be proply be best with a cable connection with there are still are only too few of them .

Back when i was on ADSL i used to have trouble downloading 250MB iPhone OS updates for our Touches because not only they took forever to download ,theres also the timeout errors due to the slow download rate .
If downloading a 250MB file a pain on ADSL connecting then theres not much chance for games that are much begger .
Like i mention before the majority of the Internet install base still on ADSL meaning those games are still out of reach of potential customers meaning they performe better as retail titles .

The maximum download size i can imagine being a sutable limit are about 200MB limit probably best still to be at 100-150MB area .
While today digital distribution still quite viable for smaller games but for bigger games physical retail still going to rule for 15-20 years approx .

[Ouenben]

Originally Posted by kawaiipikachu

The maximum download size i can imagine being a sutable limit are about 200MB limit probably best still to be at 100-150MB area .
While today digital distribution still quite viable for smaller games but for bigger games physical retail still going to rule for 15-20 years approx .

Digital distribution is viable for retail games now, look at steam and Games on Demand on Xbox and PS3 Games via download (though prices are pretty bad on the last 2)

Yes there are alot of internet users with low internet speeds but there are also millions of people with perfectly acceptable broadband speeds.

YOU don't have to downlod the large multi GB games so quit *****ing already, everones sick of it.

[On] Topic [/On]
My favourite download service is by far Xbox marketplace. XBLA has many many great games available for download, more so than PSN and Wiiware and it's policy that every game must have a trial is a great idea . Also the quantity of game add ons and demos is nice. And though I don't care for it theres the Games on demand and Xbox originals.
However I'd say it has the weakest retro catalogue of the 3 with VC obviously destroying the other 2 in terms of quantity and quality games. PSN is pretty good with its select titles and PS1 classics.

And for reasons I just said VC. Do wish the releases weren't going at a snails pace.

I quite enjoy alot of games on the Itunes Games marketplace too and they usually have nice prices, most I've ever paid for a game on there was £5.99 and it was well worth it.

[Angelic Lapras King]

For me, its the Wii Shop, since it has a ton of VC stuff, some good WW stuff and I always check every week to see whats been added.

The 360 one's pretty good too, but I havent downloaded much due to money issues, but I may treat myself to something when my Debit card becomes a Visa card next month. Only really nagging issue is the online gaming isnt free like the Wii and the thing can't got Wireless Internet out the box like the Wii, which is a problem when your console are upstairs, so my 360's been offline for 8 months.

Only other one I use is the DSi Shop, which is not bad, but really needs its own VC at some point.

[Betagam7]

Despite it being nothing more than a lazy ROM factory that persistently ****es on PAL gamers its clear that the VC is my most used service with 50 titles downloaded so far.

However...alot of those titles were downloaded in the VC's infancy and in truth if it wern't for the Gaming Club I wouldn't be able to recall when I last downloaded a VC title. Nintendo is fortunate to be able to rely on such an awesome back catalogue and combine it with genuinelly interesting unknowns like the TG16.

In all other aspects Microsoft's XBLA eats the VC alive, with its lavish presentation, always 60hz titles which in many case feature a number of improvements and the bonus of achievments (something Nintendo really needs to find its own alternative to).

The main thing that's kept me from buying more XBLA games is the necessity to hook it up to the internet with a cable as opposed to the easy wireless connection of the Wii. It also helps that I generally prefer to play older retro titles these days, however Braid remains one of the games I expect to stil resonate with me 10 years from now and I'm glad I was able to play it thanks to Microsoft hosting it as I've never been a big fan of PC gaming in general.

[kawaiipikachu]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

The main thing that's kept me from buying more XBLA games is the necessity to hook it up to the internet with a cable as opposed to the easy wireless connection of the Wii.

Well theres an overpriced donglr for that .

[The shoemaker]

I've tried two, Playstation Store and the Wii Shop Channel. I prefer the shop channels organization and layout over the PS Stores. PS Store has tiny font, I can barely read it. PS Store has more to offer, with movies, DLC, games and all of that great stuff. But overall I prefer Wii Shop Channel because I prefer the games it has to offer.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

None really. Any that I've used has been pretty good overall, with good selection. They can all use some improvements in some areas, and of course it'd be nice for all of them to continue getting expanded game selections. The more the better.

[Pocketim]

Although you may not think this considering how little I purchase on Steam, Steam is by far my favorite.

One sole reason alone makes this my favorite. NO region locking bullcrap.

I mean seriously, this is stupid. It's beyond stupid. On PSN, the US PSN store has over 40 more PSone classics. Yes, FOURTY. PSP's aren't even region locked to begin with, just the shop. Why can't I buy these games in NZ? Don't they want my money? What is the point of region locking these games?

Wii Shop Channel suffers from the same problem, and in my opinion, that's unforgivable. It could almost be considered discrimination in a way (although that could be a bit of a harsh word for a marketing technique), but with Steam, anyone can buy the games on the store, no matter where they live, without any problems. Really Valve, I should buy much more from you for that alone.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Pocketim

Although you may not think this considering how little I purchase on Steam, Steam is by far my favorite.

One sole reason alone makes this my favorite. NO region locking bullcrap.

I mean seriously, this is stupid. It's beyond stupid. On PSN, the US PSN store has over 40 more PSone classics. Yes, FOURTY. PSP's aren't even region locked to begin with, just the shop. Why can't I buy these games in NZ? Don't they want my money? What is the point of region locking these games?

Then there is the problem that the PAL PSone classics are...well, the PAL versions which were notoriously bad conversions as Sony was the last to jump aboard the 60hz wagon.

[slangman]

By default the Wii Shop Channel. Mainly because of the VC. Even though some game libaries on there could be beefed up a bit, there’s still a great selection on there. If you look past all the crap on WiiWare ther’es few gems on there.

Would really like the Wii Shop Channel to allow cross purchasing in Japan & NA though. Oh and also none of the bad 50hz nonsense.

[enigmaopoeia]

I would have to say my favorite is easily the Wii Shop Channel, it's the one I mainly use and I have purchased over 50 titles.

Aside from that. The PSN is alright, though it has nothing of interest to me, I just download demos to put on my PSP. I'd imagine once I get a PS3, it may find more usage out of it. And I also use Steam, but only bought one game on it.