Download or purchase games?

[gadgethome]

I've not tried purchasing a game online and downloading. I assume it downloads to the HD but after that, are you able to back it up to an external HD when your HD becomes full or just as a safe guard? As the prices are no cheaper online, is it better to purchase the DVD media and at least you can swap with friends afterwards?

 

[Captin]

I buy games from steam and origin, both save the installation files on your hard drive which you can backup for safe keeping. But they will always be available from their servers. I don't really want to store over 170 games myself.

I also get games from the humble bundle site and GOG. The downloads are only the installation files and so you have to save them before installing the games, so you can keep them safe, the sites doon't have fancy programs like steam to keep a list of your games.

I would think most sites let you download the full installation of the game before installing.