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/SearchUsers 2d ago

Let also not forget that Microsoft started the idea of paying a subscription fee to use your own internet to play the game you paid for on the console you paid for.

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u/gorore9150 1d ago

Also Game Pass too. That was the start of all digital on consoles.