Corporations want to kill physical media because it suits them, but Big Box PC game packaging just got a second chance
It's now much easier to take the DIY approach.
In the 1990s, many cherished the large box PC games of that era. Buyers would visit stores to purchase elaborate games, complete with detailed manuals and occasional extras. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in these classic physical games, particularly following Sony's decision to discontinue physical PlayStation titles.
Some individuals have gained notoriety for creating their own physical Steam games. GOG, a prominent digital game platform, has now proposed a solution for those who miss the boxes: printable big boxes based on scans of vintage game packages. In partnership with Big Box Collection, a fan-run repository of 3D scans, GOG is offering these scans to its GOG Preservation Program, which currently includes titles like Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, Armikrog, Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, and Myst.
GOG's announcement explains that users can download the 3D scans, cut, fold, and glue them together to recreate their own physical big boxes at home. This initiative caters to those who miss the days of displaying their game collections on actual shelves. As digital ownership becomes increasingly uncertain and streaming platforms become more exploitative, more people are returning to physical media.
Interestingly, while GOG is not selling physical discs, it is uniquely positioned to provide this service. Unlike many other PC game platforms, GOG is DRM-free, allowing users to burn the game files onto CDs or DVDs for archiving purposes.
Written by urgent.news from PC Gamer's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
