Resident Evil came to the world of downloads stateside this week via the PSN. The two most expensive PS1 classics now are Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Resident Evil at $9.99. One of these games deserves the price tag, the other I own four times over.
Resident Evil Director's Cut, the actual release thankfully, is only marginally playable these days. Tank controls do not stand the test of time, no matter what game you are talking about. I doubt the game will ever fail to truly satisfy, but with a multitude of versions across platforms old and new, I do not see a need to add this to the collection of games I legally transfer to my PSP. What I find very strange in this situation is how it automatically ranks in the same pricing category as Symphony of the Night. Suikoden, a game if found in usable condition, can run well over $70 but came out at a modest $5.99. Of the two recent big releases, I feel Suikoden is the game I should pay $10 for, not a game I can pick up for about $5 at a used game store and still play on my PS3. (The Ps3 emulation of Symphony of the Night is arguably some of the worst emulation I have ever seen. This is inexcusable for such a landmark title, especially an expensive one.)
Despite my current tone, I like what digital distribution will ultimately lead to. It cuts down on competition, on ridiculous price gouging and satisfies the urge to own a game within an instant. What I dislike is how things are currently priced occording to their past, not their present value. Nothing in the PSone category should ever go higher than ten dollars, but it is a strange pricing system to me.
My real worry in the evolution of digital distribution revolves around accessibility. The major platforms all support a large online store and show no signs of stopping their slow but steady stream of releases. When the next round of consoles emerges, what will happen to my purchases? Surely someone is coming up with a plan for this. I would hate to think that the hundreds I've spent across all three platforms just in their system-based stores will go to waste when something new comes along.
What I predict is similar to the Rockband 1 to Rockband 2 song transfer. There will be a pay system to transfer purchased items to the new system. This is only the case if the console makers even want to continue on with the retro release market. Even though many consumers will willingly gobble up a retro release, I can see Sony or Nintendo abandoning the idea because the thought of transfering old information is a logistical nightmare. Both companies have shown a particular disinterest in pleasing their consumers when it comes to continued support or technical advancement.
This issue would also tie in to the infinite amount of DLC a gamer can accumulate in a console's lifespan. Just what is the plan for my 50 extra dollars spent in Fallout3? Will I have to purchase the Game of the Year edition just to protect my investments? Multiplayer maps will become useless wastes as survers empty and die. The digital future will likely be pock-marked by expensive add-ons with a limited shelf life.
I suppose my continued interest in old games fuels this fear. I like tangible things that I can hook up and enjoy. A completely digital world is more cost-effective for the distributor but likely less effective for the consumer. Of course I am also distrustful of most machines.
