A recent survey carried out by NPD reveals that the gamers still prefer purchasing use games over full digital downloads. The retail research firm, via this survey, found that though core gamers have embraced digital distribution, second-hand game purchases still dominate the reign over downloading full game titles.

According to the NDP survey, 78 percent of core gamers frequently purchase used games as compared to 70 percent who buy full digital games regularly. 88 percent of respondents reported that they regularly buy new physical copies of games at retail. Clearly, most share of game purchase still goes to retail sales. The survey also revealed that 10 percent of core gamers spending on games decreased in the past year as compared to those who saw their expenditures rise.

“During the holiday quarter core gamers spent an average of $129 on new physical games. Digital purchasing among core gamers has plenty of room to grow,” said NPD analyst Liam Callahan in a statement. “While many core gamers indicate they are purchasing full games and digital add-on content frequently, there are those that stated they have never purchased digital content.”

Contrary to the NPD survey results, Sony is making every single game for the PS4 available as a digital download.

“We’re shifting our platform more and more to the digital side – PS4 will be similar to PS Vita in that every game will be available as a digital download, and some will also be available as a disc,” Sony Worldwide Studios Head Shuhei Yoshida said.

Besides, Sony is making efforts to solve a consumer behavior problem by offering attractive alternatives that work well for everyone involved. Used games will obviously still be sold, but it is making digital downloads more attractive.

Some criticism of the NPD report comes from SiliconANGLE assistant editor Kyt Dotson. “The NPD report seems to have missed the boat in understanding the different culture of technology between console and PC gamers. While it’s obvious that digital distribution is still fledgling–although greatly increasing in use. Steam has been dominating PC digital sales and while but the way that gamers approach the physical media is certainly changing. By not showing how these different communities approach the digital divide, NPD’s report feels a little incomplete and not yet a good diagnostic of what’s being sold and how it’s being sold.”