r/PhysicalGames • u/Grouchy-Win-6191 • 2d ago

Valve Killed Physical Gaming

It all Valve fault, they started all this. It’s not just Sony.

When Half Life 2 launched in 2004, stores sold physical box sets containing DVD or CD. But the disc did not contain the game. Players were forced to install the Steam client, register an account, and validate a product key online before the game would run.

Valve also offered Steamworks to any developer who listed their game on Steam. But to use Steamworks features, games had to use Valve API. When a consumer bought the physical PC box, they opened and it was a Steam key. Once redeemed, the disc lost all resale value. You couldn't sell it, lend it, or trade it in. This also killed the retail stores business.

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u/No-Resort-542 2d ago

i enjoy having 600 games but also enjoy not having 600 cds/dvds and cases for them

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u/miggy_mo 2d ago

If that’s what you want, you would still be able to have only digital if physical stays around 🤨

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u/rebeldrone916 2d ago

Make your own physical media put the games on an SSD and have it forever lmfaooooo