A growing number of physical game releases require significant additional downloads to become fully playable, raising concerns about the value of purchasing physical copies. The website DoesItPlay tracks games that necessitate an internet connection even after disc installation.
The trend sees many “physical” games not working right out of the box, despite being purchased as a tangible product. According to Ars Technica, this is due to developers increasingly relying on digital distribution methods for game content, even when offering physical editions. This means that players often need to download large files – sometimes equaling or exceeding the size of the disc itself – before they can begin playing.
The website DoesItPlay has been created to document these instances. It highlights how frequently consumers are finding themselves needing an internet connection and additional downloads, even after purchasing what they believe is a complete game on physical media. The site serves as a resource for gamers to check if a particular title requires a download before purchase.
The article points out that this practice diminishes the appeal of physical releases, which were traditionally favored by collectors and those who preferred not relying on digital distribution platforms. While the reasons behind this shift aren't explicitly stated in the source, it implies developers are prioritizing cost savings or streamlined development processes by utilizing downloadable content even for retail copies.
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