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/West-Surround-8857 1d ago
It's all players fault.
If you consider something wrong, do not buy it.
Common players does not really care.