Good morning/afternoon/evening - I trust everyone has made weekend plans so I won't be too long:

In an effort to participate more often with the Gamespot community (specifically my friends) withoutboring you with the usual "what I've been playing" blogs when I have nothing else to say, I wanted to start a new series called "Random Thoughts" (it was going to be called "Let's Talk" or "Let's Rap", but the aforementioned title is more accurate regarding the inspiration of the new posts). Basically, the goal of Random Thoughts is to throw out a two-part blog: the first part being a brief question (no more than three short paragraphs) related to video games or consumer technology with which all Gamespot members can relate and have them post on the bottom as usual.

Once I have enough responses, I'll post the second part in which I quote everyone who participated (meaning I will summarize your responses and [with permission] provide links) and then finally give my thoughts on the issue as I experience them or through my eyes. Think of these special posts as part-editorial/part-discussion, sort of like 6h05tly's monthly "Guess that Mii" contests in which he made different Miis and had everyone participate, with the results published in a later blog - but in more of a debate-like format. Hopefully this would bring in some opinions from random posters as well as share what we may or not already know.

The only difference between Gamespot's own editorials and the forums is that the Gamespot members on my friends list use something that many forum posters and fanboys don't seem to have: MINDS. Being that I'm a former debate league captain, mock trial competitor and basically an old fart (thirty-one), I felt that this blog space will be more constructive rather than have it sit as a dusty space with one blog every ninety days.

To get this started off:

Random Thoughts topic 1: Is digital distribution working or is physical media still the way to go? If it is then describe which method works for you or is the least troublesome. If you wish to continue with the physical media model of purchasing then please explain why.

Random thought background: with Steam, Apple's App Store, Nintendo's WiiWare/Virtua Console download service, Sony's Playstation Network (PSN), and Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade, gamers have access to many different avenues to purchase and download games rather than head to a brick-and-mortar store like nearly everyone had to do during up until the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox era. With the many choices that gamers now have (and the pitfalls of each) we're fast approaching the point where in many cases leaving the house to own a full-sized console game or even rearranging your shelf for a new game is no longer an issue. Though some services lag behind progress more than others (Nintendo's strict size limits on downloadable titles), we've getting close to the era (bandwidth restrictions notwithstanding) where nearly all core media is digital.

What came to me during my two-hour commute home after finishing a hard work week was this: with Sony's upcoming PSP Go and Apple trumpeting their 1.5 billion download milestone, that these are handhelds that "give the finger" to retail stores and have all media available for download from proprietary servers. Nintendo isn't at that point yet due to physical cartridges being produced, not to mention that DSi Ware isn't going to win many awards (Mighty Flip Champs, Asphalt 4 Racing and PictoBits rocks by the way!) but hopefully with SD support and the rumor of future Game Boy/Color/Advance downloads they could take a step in the right direction. Microsoft and Sony have more or less reached the milestone with the latest software updates and hardware capabilities of the current consoles, with Steam already having the service and payment structure in place to cater to PC gamers. All of the methods of purchasing games aren't perfect, for example:

Steam - online connection needed to load some single player games. system sometimes MUST update before playing older purchased titles

Sony's Playstation Network - massive files, no multitasking features (until recently PS3 owners couldn't play a game while new media was being downloaded), little moderation regarding unruly cheaters/racist gamers

Microsoft's Xbox Live - yearly membership payments, additional hardware required, wireless functionality not built in

Nintendo's WiiWare service - currency can be bought only in increments, strict file limits make potential games impossible to develop, storage space is more or less still too restrictive, games not advertised or supported as well as the competition

Playstation Store (PSP) - software lacks in variety

Nintendo's DSiWare - first-party games more or less lacking, third-party apps not supported as well as first-party efforts

Apple's App Store - no conventional controls, expensive cost of entry required to enjoy cheap games

So, based on what I've written above, I want you to disclose which digital distribution service has helped you - the gamer - the most, if digital distribution satisfies you to the point where you scoff at the idea of going to a store to purchase physical media, or if you're not ready for the idea of a "downloads-only" era, briefly state why.

Supporters of the idea of digital distribution claim that the days of physical media are numbered - however, game collectors say otherwise, with the gamer giving answers based only on the console hardware that they currently support. I just want to hear what you think. As a rule I need all of you to post comments - I won't have to right to disclose my full opinion until the next post. Your responses WILL be quoted and referred to during the next post, which should be no later than Tuesday night the 21st. Until then see ya. Those of you who have my Twitter account (search for DSJimman) look there for soem goings-on.

James