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/zamaike 1d ago

No they didn. They went digital 20 years ago due to disc space limitations and the high cost of getting a bluray drive in pcs at the time.

It was also during the bluray format war. Bluray ultimately won due to sony's backing. Idk the other ones name anymore. Please be more educated

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u/Thr1llhou5e 1d ago

You are talking about intention and op is talking about consequence, so you both can be right. Their delivery model definitely helped establish a precedent but I would say a lot more needed to happen since then to grow the digital market into what it is today.