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Fallout 4 sold more digital copies on day one than at retail

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Fallout4ad

Like many of you, I pre-ordered Fallout 4. Because buying digitally in South Africa is still largely a hit-or-miss affair, I pre-ordered a physical copy, which was delivered on release day. It seems I’m in the minority. According to Bethesda’s Todd Howard, Day One sales of the best RPG released last year (according to DICE, that is) were higher in the digital realm.

We’ve known for years that as internet speeds have increased, and digital store fronts continued to gain in popularity that we’d be seeing a drop off in retail physical sales, but to have a game as eagerly anticipated as Fallout 4 to actually have its first day digital sales eclipse retail is perhaps a turning point.

“One of the things that is amazing: Fallout 4 sold more day one digitally than at retail,” Howard told GameInformer. “That’s a big change.”

It’s a big change indeed – and it’s one that doesn’t especially bode well for our own, local games industry which operates a little differently to many of the larger territories. Where in the US, a sale is a sale and it’s only retailers who get angry if you buy your games digitally, here we very nearly rely on third party distributors to bring in games and do the marketing around them. Buying digitally here hurts the local market – but that’s really not your problem.

It does trike up a bit of a personal dilemma, because I generally prefer to get my games digitally, even on consoles. I’m not the sort to sell my games, and the convenience of not having to swop discs, along with the relative regularity of digital sales makes me favour buying digital copies.

Tell us! Did you grab your own copy of Fallout 4 through a digital store front, or via a retailer?

Last Updated: February 23, 2016

No Comments

  1. Pariah

    February 23, 2016 at 14:33

    I only buy digital now because its honestly cheaper and more convenient. There’s never a stock issue, storage isn’t a problem and my wallet is happy. So tbh I can’t justify retail purchases any more.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      February 23, 2016 at 14:52

      This is true, sometimes I get it cheaper at retail but these days I’d rather wait for a sale

      Reply

      • Commander Admiral Chief

        February 23, 2016 at 14:52

        Venting off some Steam while waiting for a sale?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          February 23, 2016 at 14:59

          I’ve kinda decided against trading games. I’d rather have it in my library and play it when I’m good and ready. If you buy it at retail you better clear your schedule and finish the game as quick as possible so that it doesn’t lose too much value.

          Reply

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 23, 2016 at 15:07

            IKR? Screw that.

            Take your time, you earned it!

            Why rush? Because of some FOMO?

            NO!

            Games are meant to be enjoyed, not to be rushed through

          • Ir0nseraph

            February 23, 2016 at 16:10

            True , and I I now have 4 physical disks left all my other games is digital, I might go retail again if there is a great limited edition.

    • Captain JJ the "saviour"

      February 23, 2016 at 15:09

      Except Bethesda games. I don’t buy those on Steam. No ways. Their pricing is terrible.

      Reply

  2. miaau

    February 23, 2016 at 14:36

    I paid R50 more for my digital copy of Fallout 4, for the same reasons as above. I do not want to muck about with disks and whatnot. I would be digital all the way, but, for example, Witcher 3 was R250 cheaper at CNA than digital. R250.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      February 23, 2016 at 14:41

      It pays to shop around, particularly if you’re pricing in various currencies.

      Reply

    • Captain JJ the "saviour"

      February 23, 2016 at 15:11

      I paid R400 for Fallout 4 physical.
      It’s R800 on Steam.
      I definitely prefer digital, but not when the pricing is a 100% difference.

      Reply

    • Fox1 - Retro

      February 23, 2016 at 15:41

      Rise of the Tomb Raider was R300 at Game this past weekend. Stock was limited to a few copies per store.

      Reply

  3. Commander Admiral Chief

    February 23, 2016 at 14:41

    Yes, digital is better, especially if you cannot resell it

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      February 23, 2016 at 14:51

      How many discs for PC?

      Reply

      • Commander Admiral Chief

        February 23, 2016 at 14:52

        Zer0

        Reply

      • VampyreSquirrel

        February 23, 2016 at 14:53

        one

        Reply

        • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

          February 23, 2016 at 15:16

          ..ty four?

          Reply

  4. VampyreSquirrel

    February 23, 2016 at 14:48

    I bought physical, but a couple weeks after release. Ended up costing me R450 thanks to a takealot voucher.

    Edit: Oh and the petrol money to go to Sandy’s house to copy the files XD

    Reply

  5. Hammersteyn

    February 23, 2016 at 14:50

    Physical

    Reply

    • Commander Admiral Chief

      February 23, 2016 at 14:53

      I told you yesterday, I’ve got you covered!

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      February 23, 2016 at 14:54

      • Hammersteyn

        February 23, 2016 at 14:55

        Hehehe the bait has been taken

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          February 23, 2016 at 14:57

          I actually disturbed myself. Wow that video is bad.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            February 23, 2016 at 14:58

            Horrendous, but that’s what our parents used as inspiration if you know what I mean 😛

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            February 23, 2016 at 14:58

            You don’t need to make it worse.

          • Hammersteyn

            February 23, 2016 at 14:59

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            February 23, 2016 at 15:02

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 23, 2016 at 15:06

            xD

      • Commander Admiral Chief

        February 23, 2016 at 15:08

        They really should delete that holodeck program

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          February 23, 2016 at 15:11

          Do you hate Banana Jim that much?

          Reply

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 23, 2016 at 15:18

            Well, he was born as a figment of my imagination, and he broke away, so he can GITC for all I care

            😛

  6. Captain JJ the "saviour"

    February 23, 2016 at 15:09

    I feel sorry for the South Africans who bought Fallout on Steam
    No, wait, I don’t
    R800 for a pc game is insane.

    Reply

    • Commander Admiral Chief

      February 23, 2016 at 15:10

      I nearly caved in December, BUT I HELD THE LINE!

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the "saviour"

        February 23, 2016 at 15:11

        It’s half that price on retail. Bethesda needs to check their SA pricing on Steam. They’re mad.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          February 23, 2016 at 15:12

          Yeah they are a bit mad. But tbh I’ll just wait until its like R150 before I Buy it. I have too many games on my to-play list anyway, and every month Humble Monthly adds another 6 that’ll take me months to get to.

          Reply

          • Captain JJ the "saviour"

            February 23, 2016 at 15:14

            Oh yes. That Humble Monthly has been my best worst enemy. 😀
            Got some awesome games though.

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        February 23, 2016 at 15:12

        The line, the line never moves.

        Reply

  7. Darren Peach

    February 23, 2016 at 15:29

    As long as Consoles are a thing, I remain optimistic…………..

    Reply

  8. Fox1 - Retro

    February 23, 2016 at 15:43

    I won Fallout 4 on disc 😛

    Reply

  9. Saitamago

    February 24, 2016 at 13:15

    99% of my games are digital downloads, but Fallout 4 was the exception since I still had a bunch of PS4 games on disc gathering dust which I traded towards the disc copy. Going ahead I don’t see myself buying physical games anymore.

    Reply

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