The way we are able to pick up games is changing all the time. Things are becoming increasingly easy, the introduction of digital distribution networks meaning gamers are now less inclined to leave the house when purchasing a new product than ever before.

While game downloads on consoles are currently restricted to demos and full games that take up little memory, PC gaming is taking things much further. Piracy may be the word on everyone’s lips when mentioning the subject but, according to Metaboli’s regional business manager Paul Howes, High Street retailers are benefiting greatly from digital downloading, signalling an inevitable downfall in physical sales.

Speaking to gameindustry.biz, Howes points out chains like GAME are viewing this rapidly growing market as an opportunity rather than a threat:

“We’ve seen in recent months a real development of that relationship,” said Howes of the French online gaming service’s partnership with GAME.

“Initially we provided them with a white label portal, but in the last three or four months we’ve actually started integrating links into their product pages. So we’re giving their PC buyers a direct alternative to buying the boxed version.

“When the download product is presented alongside the boxed product we’ll start to see PC gamers move across to digital. We have to be on a level playing field in terms of the boxed product and in terms of price and promotions, but that’s starting to happen. With a company like GAME getting behind it in such a big way, again, it’s a really strong indication of where the market’s heading.”

Howes goes on to say that the “tipping point” for the transition could arrive as soon as 2012, mirroring a prediction made a few weeks ago by fellow online distibutor Gamersgate’s CEO Theodore Bergquist.

It wouldn’t at all surprise me if this were to be the case. Music sales have been turned on their head in a matter of a few short years, while physical gaming sales are only being maintained due to the average bandwidth of home broadband. This situation, as Paul Howes also mentions, is improving rapidly, meaning more and more retailers will be offering this convenient service as time goes by.

Source: gamesindustry.biz