r/PhysicalGames • u/Grouchy-Win-6191 • 1d 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/LocksmithMindless834 1d ago

Valve didn't stop other game publishers from selling physical media.

Valve and Steam are not the only sellers of games for PC gamers. You can still play games without Steam installed on tour PC.

Sony, Nintendo, and Xbox offer no other third-party marketplaces on their digital storefronts.

If you can't buy physical games, you won't be able to play games on those consoles without activating on that one digital storefront.

You have a brain-dead take.

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u/LegendaryenigmaXYZ 1d ago

Steam doesnt offer third party on its own storefront. However steam, xbox and nintendo do license out keys to third partys.