The death of physical media 😢

In this video I talk briefly about my memories with physical media and the changes happening within the entertainment industry and retail, contributing to the death of physical and rise of an all digital future.

[@SepticFalcon]

I still look at my cases for games and movies haha - I miss the old days, kids don't realise how good they have it, but not everything is as good as it once was. I don't see them doing what we did, being hyped for the latest games and all crowding around whoever's house that had that console/game and all being in awe! Kids today have everything at their fingertips and don't appreciate it like we did. I love my physical collection and often get told by my wife "why", what if someone decides to take away your Disney + or Netflix, whether through your doing or theirs it will happen at one point or another, just like it happened to the shops we miss from our younger days. I really don't like the idea of physical media dying all together, to a certain degree I don't think it will happen fully. As a life long PC gamer I am used to digital games, but for consoles it just seems wrong! If people like that Ubisoft CEO get their way of "You will not own your games in the future" it will be a dark day! I know the technicality of our games can be removed at any time from digital stores, luckily most so far I have still kept, the latest being Spec Ops: The Line on Steam... it was removed but I can still download and play it... for how long, I don't know. 😔

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I think what happened on PSN with the Warner bros content woke a few to their lack of ownership of the things they actually purchase digitally. I’m seeing more and more videos of people going back to physical media because atm it’s cheap and lasts. As for the kids growing up now I just feel sorry for them for the lack of experiences with midnight launches and couch coop ect.

[@SepticFalcon]

@An_idiot_onthe_net yeah I dont think midnight launches are even a thing now, i do however play multiplayer or couch coop with my kids. Gotta teach them the way 😉

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

@@SepticFalcon I don’t think so either not since ps3/360 era I think poss the ps4 console launch but don’t remember

[@markluney9857]

Physical media is not dying, it's just being sold online instead of in stores

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I do hope this at least ends up being the case.

[@sirducksworthythe3rd842]

Wich is killing ir

[@markluney9857]

Physical media is not dying

[@johncasey5594]

I have fond memories of going to the movies with my son, literally every weekend from 2000 to 2005. There was always some new movie to watch. If not, we would just see something we really enjoyed again. Similarly, I loved Blockbuster. The sales people at Blockbuster would laugh that I wasn't just a VIP, but I was a VVIP because of how much I rented. I have put 10's of thousands into the entertainment industry, that is why I don't feel bad about being a pirate. I don't have nostalgia for physical media. I have 6,500 movies and over 1,600 complete/up to date TV series on my media server and backed up onto 2.5" portable drives. I can literally hold my entire collection in the palm of my hands, no dust, no lost or damaged media, no need to inventory. If I am comfy watching something in bed and I change my mind, no need to get out of bed, take the old disc out, search for the new desired one, put it in, etc. I just hit stop, scroll to the new one and press play.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I see that as being the future, being able to watch what you want and where ever you want. Just being behind a pay wall of sorts and never owning anything. I can barely put a video together on here so def behind the times with tech and that’s my fault. I’m just not ready to move on to that future yet.

[@CalebSmith-do9jd]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net You also gotta remember that when the PS3 and Xbox was released in 2005, 2006, back then that was the new generation of graphics, game play capabilities, obviously the file sizes would be much larger in contrast to earlier generation. Both Sony and Microsoft respectively saw this as an opportunity to grow annual revenue by profiting from convenience using the law of compounding interest. When they released the first edition of the PS3 and the Xbox 360 both consoles had a range of like 20 to 60gb hdd sizes as an entry point, later would release newer versions of consoles with increased hdd space and increased RRP to match the improved specs of the consoles. This is where compounding interest became profitable for Sony, Microsoft. Back then a lot of shovelware games were far more accessible in store as they were smaller file sizes, didn't require extra space however, consumers started to get bored of those games, demanded more playable games such as GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Forza, Mass Effect, Halo, Bioshock, Fable etc, become more readily available, as they realised having a digital key means you can reinstall the game any time, this is where compounding interest starts to become profitable. Control the supply of what consumers see and be the demand of what they want. Evaluate the demand and what price you can set for that demand. Both Microsoft, Sony don't have any debt as they own the license to the product, which means they profit from the final amount, can charge what they like as they are the supply and demand. Multioly that by how many games they have set for digital release and that is how it keeps on recycling from convenience

[@theliteraryabyss]

There is a wave of gen z doing a stream ditching challenge, they are going out to thrift stores and online and buying dvds and cancelling their streaming services. It warms this old millennial's heart when I heard about that.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I have seen a fair few videos of people cancelling subscriptions and going back to dvd, I know it’s not always ideal for space but I’m seeing so many examples of digital or streaming limiting people’s options 😔

[@TheRetroBear]

I have yet to be convinced that digital media is the way forward. I am surrounded by physical media and to me you will never beat it. I like to see stuff I own, I like to handle stuff I own and I like to take care of stuff I own. You can't get that joy from a Cloud or a hard drive. Sadly I may be one of the dying breed but I am as happy as I am 😊👍

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I’m right there with you! I have and can buy something now and still have it and play it* in 20 yrs time with physical. They’ve already shown in the 360/ps3 era that rights and licenses expire and games just disappear. Physical forever!

[@TheRetroBear]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net One of my great regrets was not getting Afterburner Climax on PS3 because it was digital only. Now its gone, you wouldn't get that if it came in a box like it's meant to 🤣🤣

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

@@TheRetroBear look at what’s happening to spec ops the line crazy 🤷‍♂️

[@findlay1arches]

Interesting topic. Haven't seen any videos about this online

[@thatstuffofficial]

Game had its best years in the PS2 era. I remember going in and getting 4 games for £20. The PSN store has good sells time to time but it's still crazy like you said they can take it away. The many problems with media is it's cost in store compared to online. That's hurting sell as well. I have seen some collectors editions have no disc just online code which is mental. Very good video very detailed.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

Oh don’t even get me started on collectors editions that DONT come with the game! But will come with a steelbook?? 🤷‍♂️🙄

[@thatstuffofficial]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net it's just so stupid

[@CalebSmith-do9jd]

This happened because companies like; Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft etc, are losing huge profit margins by manufacturing physical media now. One of the leading causes behind this is that people are no longer going into the store to buy a game for RRP when it comes out. The subsequent impact of KZbinrs who make content around video game hunting, reselling etc, showing how you can get games cheap, or free has been encouraging consumers to save money by waiting a couple of months for sale, or to find it at a pawn shop etc. Video game companies do not see the profit from those sales, this impacts their ability to continue manufacturing when they don't have the financial allocation to back it long-term. By going digital they control the market themselves, esentially you are just renting the game when you spend money on a digital key, since they can remove it from the library at any given time. These companies have affliate partnerships with a lot of KZbinrs, so they would be very aware of what is going on, so this doesn't at all surprise me that physical media is now dead.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I just always found it odd that during the ps3/360 era digital versions of games would be the same if not more than physical and how that caught on. We live in an era of connivence now, the easiest option usually trumps all. Which is a shame.

[@CalebSmith-do9jd]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net You also gotta remember that when the PS3 and Xbox 360 was released in 2005, 2006, back then that was the new generation of graphics, game play capabilities, obviously the file sizes would be much larger in contrast to earlier generation. Both Sony and Microsoft respectively saw this as an opportunity to grow annual revenue by profiting from convenience using the law of compounding interest. When they released the first edition of the PS3 and the Xbox 360 both consoles had a range of like 20 to 60gb hdd sizes as an entry point, later would release newer versions of consoles with increased hdd space and increased RRP to match the improved specs of the consoles. Back then a lot of shovelware games were far more accessible in store as they were smaller file sizes, didn't require extra space however, consumers started to get bored of those games, demanded more playable games such as GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Forza, Mass Effect, Halo, Bioshock, Fable etc, become more readily available, consumers started to warm up to the idea of digital keys, since they could reinstall the game at any time. This is where compounding interest starts to become profitable. Control the supply of what consumers see and be the demand of what they want. Evaluate the demand and what price you can set for that demand. Both Microsoft, Sony don't have any debt as they own the license to the product, which means they profit from the final amount, can charge what they like as they are the supply and demand. Multioly that by how many games they have set for digital release and that is how it keeps on recycling from convenience

[@Snestastic]

With Blu Ray I still have a lot of old films to pick up. It does frustrate me that films on streaming don't always get a physical release. I'd love a blu ray for The Old Guard and The Tomorrow War. Physical is becoming more and more important. Streamers don't always have what I want. And Amazon like to charge for everything on top of the prime sub.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I haven’t gone in on any streaming service atm, I’m quite behind on my film collection too as I’m always spinning plates on everything else too 😅

[@Snestastic]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net Same here lol. I'm trying my best to gain some focus. I stopped buying Vinyls 2 years ago. And I went back to CDs. A lot more manageable and cost effective lol. But yeah I'm balancing blu rays,CDs and old games. I've stopped myself collecting a thing else 😕

[@pietroscarpa2384]

Don't worry. Movies made by streaming services are mostly garbage.

[@Snestastic]

@@pietroscarpa2384 😂 they do put out some average movies for sure. But me personally I loved the old guard and the tomorrow war.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

Isn’t old guard getting a sequel? And tomorrow war? I didn’t think much of the show citadel. I watched it with an ex and well it was silly.

[@VeiledInDreams]

I still collect physical media and am saddened to hear that it will likely cease to exist in the future what with spotify and other forms of digital media, yet vinyls have made a comeback, so who knows?I do though, have started to appreciate indie games/developers which don't offer physical releases.. but even then, i feel like i don't own them.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I have a small growing collection of vinyl and still buy cd, wanna support the artist. I use my switch as a lil indie machine and buy indie esque titles on that like Gris 😍 it’s amazing!

[@E1teamAzure]

Pretty Good And Needed Discussion To Be Honest. Physical Media Is Definitely On The Way Out Which Sucks. I Feel Like They Just See It As A Money&Control Kinda Thing. Less Costly To Just Upload Digital Versions And Sell 'Licenses' For Use Of Said Media And As You Say They Can Just Take It Away Whenever. Looking Forward To Whatever You Have To Share Next : )

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

That’s one of the things that confused me with GAMES change to not except trade ins you’re pushing ppl to digital providing it’s cheaper 🤷‍♂️ rather than pivot into a retro market. Plus if we go all digital you library of whatever is at the mercy of the company that runs the service. You decide to opt out you lose everything!

[@user-bp8rr3rj7r]

Digital media is not tangible. I miss video shops, magazine stores, and record shops. We just live in this really bland time period. Boring movies, music, and fashion. Toys r us was great in the 80s. I should have kept all my star wars toys and transformers. Great times in those days.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

If I kept all my toys! Even the Star Wars 97 re releases to co inside with films going back to cinema where so much better than what there is now. Even the Batman animated show and superman show toys were better, the turtles too. All great!

[@user-bp8rr3rj7r]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net The quality difference with toys has really changed. I still remember waiting in line at the cinema to watch the 97 re-release of Star Wars and especially the Empire Strikes Back. Watching those on the big screen was great .... Can't believe the state of the film industry nowadays ... Just sad.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

@@user-bp8rr3rj7r oh I will do a whole video one day about the state of Star Wars, it’s dead to me atm. I can’t even, after rise of skywalker I was out.

[@borntoclimb7116]

In Germany they sell a lot of magazines, in every electronic shop they are DVDs and CDs

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

@@borntoclimb7116 I actually still buy magazines too, they aren’t inprint anymore so I’m buying from private sellers on eBay but yea still trying to track down a full set.

[@garytownsend5508]

The best part for me is going to a mates house to play multi player. 😍

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I have a friend I remember playing gears and rainbow 6 vegas with those were the days!

[@garytownsend5508]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net the best times.

[@thatstuffofficial]

I think ps3 was the last ready split screen multiplayer era

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

All about the couch coop baby

[@andyukmonkey]

When I buy a physical game on the Switch or PS4 it's often jsut a really thin plastic case and just a disk. I still prefer buying older games from independant retro stores or even CEX.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

Yea it is a shame that they stopped doing manuals for games, every now and then you get one with some goodies. I’ve also heard the counter that the disc these days are jus keys to unlock the games and require patches or downloads but I still rather have it on disc even if it’s somewhat broken than not have it at all if it gets removed digitally. As for more retro I’m like a kid in a candy store when I go to retro game shops even if I don’t buy any thing the memories it can unlock are worth it.

[@andyukmonkey]

@@An_idiot_onthe_netThe biggest issue for me is that you're getting a cheap feeling product for your money. It's even worse if the disk doesn't have the game on it. I don't mind buying digital games if they're a lot cheaper but now they're often just the same price...

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

The biggest gripe I have is that even thou you pay for a digital purchase you don’t actually own it. So if the licence expires or the holder wants to remove you could very well lose that game. It’s happened already on ps3/360 era and it still happens to this day. Yes the packaging and contents aren’t great or are non existent. But while it’s still an option to buy physical I will.

[@andyukmonkey]

@@An_idiot_onthe_netYeah consoles are awful for that. I don't even remember which digital games I bought for my PS3 and WiiU. Buying digital games on Steam is better because it's not going anywhere anytime soon. But... I would still prefer physical PC games

[@lukegraves499]

Brilliant 🎉 you’re a natural! (I know it might of taken 50 takes buutt)😂

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

Something like that 😅

[@thatstuffofficial]

Oh I see how it is luke

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

@@thatstuffofficial 🤣🤣

[@lukegraves499]

@@thatstuffofficial busy waiting for Mondays up load 😏

[@letstalkcriterion]

It’s not dying why do people keep on about it a good example in comparison is the death of music vinyl, when cd arrived sales of vinyl went down quite considerably. Then streaming music but cd sales did drop but not as much as expected, now vinyl has had a massive resurgence and cds are still being produced so with physical media it will endure long after digital streaming has gone because people like to own and collect things - possess them, they can’t do that with digital media they don’t own it.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I hope you’re right I truly do! But atm digital is being pushed in a very hard way and I don’t know if the younger gen would fork out to get an individual item. Time will tell, all I know is I’ve been buying it since I was little and will continue to as long as they sell it! 👍👍

[@stonesfan285]

I'm just sick of waiting forever on stuff when it releases. Oppenheimer 4K you couldn't get for months. Now the same thing happened with The Abyss and True Lies. I bet you they will use this as an excuse to push for price increases. If that happens, I'm switching to Vudu entirely. I think Vudu UHD looks pretty nice, but the audio just isn't very good. But you can get some stuff on there a few weeks after release at a fraction of the price. And it's accessible anywhere.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I’m looking forward to finally getting a copy of true lies as it didn’t get a blu ray release in the uk, i hope they don’t push the prices up if anything they need to come down quicker.

[@stonesfan285]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net look at the spanish bootleg blu

[@jeebay5188]

Imagine in the way back time when you had to wait a year (and change in some cases) to get a physical release.

[@y4wSyys2uf]

I'm fine with it, new media is garbage anyways. Movies and series DVDs will always be available on eBay

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

I agree some of the stuff released now isn’t great, but some are and we don’t have the option to buy. There are still films and shows that haven’t been released on blu ray and at this point may not which imo is a shame.

[@GreatScott.]

Physical media all the way buddy i refuse to buy digital

[@michaelpineiro533]

Remember when you could own stuff? Nope, me neither.

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

It’s definitely a generational thing for sure.

[@romualdspizans3163]

You talking shit bro.Toys for us determing state of physical media??😂Physical media getting closer to become "niche" in 5-10 years,and im fine with that.But in no way it will extinct,unless its gonna be outlawed somehow.There is always gonna be collectors whether you like it or not

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

Hey dude I respect your opinion but I’m really just commenting on the things I see happening around me. I hope it’s still around in 5-10 years niche or not but I can see a point where companies don’t see it being viable or profitable. Appreciate the comment. 👍

[@romualdspizans3163]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net do you collect discs at all?Despite overall decline,2024 so far is the most productive since 2016 when 4k disc was launched,same with blu ray.And i don't see how its just gonna go away

[@An_idiot_onthe_net]

@@romualdspizans3163​⁠​⁠we are 6-7 weeks into 2024 you want to talk about productivity? And yes I collect discs, I frequent my last remaining retail stores often. But they’re shrinking or going away completely, diversifying into toys sweets and clothes. Again I’m just commenting on what’s happening around me.

[@romualdspizans3163]

@@An_idiot_onthe_net obviously you are not fallowing whats going on in the physical media sector.You are still buying dvds ,dont you?The vast majority of sales are on internet,and not in stores dude

[@RPKGameVids]

What does 'Toys for us determing state of physical media??' mean? Lol.