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Rockstar co-founder says 'I don't know if I personally care' if games release on disc, adds 'I love physical media'
AppWizard
July 27, 2026

Rockstar co-founder says ‘I don’t know if I personally care’ if games release on disc, adds ‘I love physical media’

The installation of World of Warcraft on a family laptop required multiple discs, reflecting a time when gaming relied heavily on physical media. Today, the gaming industry has shifted towards digital formats, with major companies like PlayStation phasing out disc production. Industry figures such as Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot and Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser have commented on this transition, with Houser noting the benefits of digital distribution, including the ability to update games post-launch. Grand Theft Auto writer Jeffrey Crawford "Lazlow" Jones expressed nostalgia for physical discs while also valuing the convenience of digital downloads. The ongoing discussion about physical versus digital gaming highlights a cultural shift in entertainment engagement.
As a PC Gamer Who Hasn’t Bought a Disc in a Decade, I Think PlayStation All-Digital Future Was a Long Time Coming – but There Are Still Reasons To Be Wary
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

As a PC Gamer Who Hasn’t Bought a Disc in a Decade, I Think PlayStation All-Digital Future Was a Long Time Coming – but There Are Still Reasons To Be Wary

Rockstar has decided not to release a physical version of its upcoming game, GTA 6, while Sony plans to stop producing discs for PlayStation consoles by January 2028. The gaming community has reacted strongly, but it is unlikely that either company will change its decision. The transition to a discless future is seen as inevitable. In the PC gaming sector, physical discs have largely become obsolete, with platforms like Steam dominating the market. The initial skepticism towards Steam has shifted as it became a reliable digital marketplace, leading to a decline in physical media. The absence of physical discs raises concerns about consumer autonomy, pricing, and game preservation, as digital ownership is often limited to licenses rather than full ownership. The shift away from physical media has been ongoing, with modern gaming increasingly reliant on digital downloads and updates.
Redditor fashions a 'game cartridge' system for their Steam library out of cheap SATA SSDs
AppWizard
July 16, 2026

Redditor fashions a ‘game cartridge’ system for their Steam library out of cheap SATA SSDs

A Reddit user named Jibril-sama is repurposing second-hand 2.5-inch SSDs into game cartridges for their Steam library, creatively combining physical media with digital gaming. Each SSD is encased in colorful housing featuring the game's cover art and can launch the game directly from a specially designed drive dock. Jibril-sama acquired several 128 GB SSDs for €7 each, highlighting the challenges of fluctuating prices in the memory market. The project reflects a trend among gamers who appreciate the tactile experience of physical media despite the dominance of digital downloads. Additionally, Sony plans to stop producing physical game discs after 2028, raising concerns about the future of the second-hand market and consumer choice. Many games on Steam still require proprietary software, prompting questions about ownership rights in the digital age.
PC gamer made "physical copies" of Steam games - they launch from SSD cartridges
AppWizard
July 15, 2026

PC gamer made “physical copies” of Steam games – they launch from SSD cartridges

Sony has decided not to release PlayStation games on discs, reigniting discussions about the value of physical game copies. A tech enthusiast named Jibril-sama has created "Steam Game Cartridges," which use affordable 2.5-inch SSD drives to store game distributions. Each mini-SSD has a capacity of 128 GB and can be programmed to open and launch games on Steam automatically. Jibril-sama repurposed used cartridges, transforming them into stylish storage solutions that resemble physical game copies for the Nintendo Switch. This approach addresses limited SSD space while appealing to gamers' nostalgia for physical media.
Use Windows 3.1 Straight From Your Browser To Boot Up Pure Nostalgia
Winsage
December 14, 2025

Use Windows 3.1 Straight From Your Browser To Boot Up Pure Nostalgia

Jeff Parsons has created a fully functional emulation of Windows 3.1 accessible through modern web browsers, allowing users to explore the iconic Program Manager interface and various retro applications like File Manager, Paintbrush, and Media Player. The emulator operates seamlessly using JavaScript, requiring no installation, and offers both full-screen and windowed views with nostalgic elements like a floppy-disk dropdown. It includes classic shareware, vintage Microsoft Word versions, digitized PC Magazine issues, and games such as King's Quest and The Oregon Trail. This project highlights the slower pace of computing in the early 90s and serves as a reminder of advancements in hardware over the years. Previous attempts to run vintage operating systems on actual hardware have faced limitations, contrasting with Parsons' success in running Windows 95 in a browser.
Payday 2 launches DLC subscription service three weeks after raising prices, because we all need another Netflix
AppWizard
September 26, 2025

Payday 2 launches DLC subscription service three weeks after raising prices, because we all need another Netflix

Gustav Nisser, head of commercial at Starbreeze, stated that the recent price increase of the Infamous Collection for Payday 2 was "completely unrelated" to the launch of their new subscription service. The price of the Infamous Collection increased from £100.29 to £145.33, nearly doubling in just three weeks. Earlier this year, the bundle was available for £80.71. In response to community backlash regarding the price change and its timing, Nisser acknowledged internal miscommunication and announced that the price would be reverted immediately. The subscription service for Payday 2 will launch in 2025, allowing players to access all DLC for a monthly fee of £3.99 or £15.99 for six months.
I hit one of Australia's biggest retro fares and PC gaming was nowhere to be seen, though collectors told me that's down to one of its major retro strengths
AppWizard
July 7, 2025

I hit one of Australia’s biggest retro fares and PC gaming was nowhere to be seen, though collectors told me that’s down to one of its major retro strengths

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre hosted Collect Fest, an event featuring various collectibles, primarily modded Nintendo handhelds like GameBoys and DS units, which were popular among attendees. The modded handhelds were enhanced with OLED screens and sold for prices ranging from 0 to 0. A notable absence at the event was PC gaming hardware, which left some attendees disappointed. Stallholders indicated low demand and high costs as reasons for the minimal presence of PC gear, with most PC games being accessible through digital downloads. Collect Fest had a wide selection of comics, tabletop gaming items, and Pokémon cards, but lacked PC gaming memorabilia.
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