Will game stores go the way of record stores?

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Welcome to the digital age. It started with music and MP3s. According to PCWorld, 2011 was the first year that digital downloads outsold hard copies of CDs.

DVDs and Blu-rays are also becoming obsolete with digital downloads and Ultraviolet movies that can be played on a digital media player.

Eventually, this is going to transition to video games. With new video game systems set to release over the next two years, rumors are that hard copies would become a thing of the past and that they would also eliminate the used-game market.

"There was a real big public outcry against it. Paying $60 for a title and have it not be worth more than a coaster on your table didn't sit well with people," said Collyn Christian, store manager at Tonawanda Oogie Games.

Even classic favorites can be obtained digitally now, but Christian says that there will always be a market for that nostalgic feel.

"Not as much for the playability part, but for the collectability. I still have people who come in... "Do you guys have an NES?" And the look on their face is just one of excitement because you don't see that really anywhere."

The used game market is huge, but gamers News 4 spoke with said they would still buy games at full price if they knew it would be good. Plus, there is a convenience with digital downloads.

"You spend a lot less time because you have to go to the store and find it, if they have it. If not, you just download it online, put it your hard drive and there you go you, always have the game with you," said Mark Thomas.

So if it's not already, the next game you buy may come over the internet, instead of a disk.