GOG lets players print their own retro game boxes

The video game industry is rapidly moving toward an all-digital future. Sony has announced plans to discontinue PlayStation 5 discs by 2028, and Xbox is similarly prioritizing digital codes over physical media. This shift has sparked significant backlash among fans who value the tangible aspect of game ownership. In response to this trend, GOG has introduced a unique solution through its Preservation Program that allows players to recreate the physical experience of classic PC games.

Rather than simply selling digital files, GOG is letting users build their own game boxes. The storefront has partnered with Benjamin Wimmer’s Big Box Collection, a project that has digitally scanned over a thousand vintage PC game packages since 2015. This collaboration brings downloadable box art to five specific titles, including Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, and Myst. Two additional titles, Armikrog and Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, have also joined the program to coincide with the franchise's milestone anniversary.

Digital scans with physical utility

According to GN technics/gaming (en-US), the initiative provides more than just visual nostalgia. Each participating game now includes a high-resolution 3D scan of its original packaging. Users can view these models using the built-in 3D viewer on Windows and Mac operating systems, requiring no additional software installation. The scans capture every detail, including the front cover, back, and spine, allowing players to rotate and inspect the box on their screens as if they were holding the physical object.

For those who prefer a tangible object, GOG offers flat, printable templates in PDF, SVG, and Adobe Illustrator formats. This enables players to cut, fold, and assemble their own physical replicas at home. The company frames this approach as a form of digital preservation, noting that physical boxes are often lost or damaged over time. By scanning them and providing print files, GOG aims to keep the historical packaging alive in a new, user-created format.

The trade-off for collectors

While this solution is creative, it comes with clear limitations. The program is currently limited to only five titles, meaning the vast majority of GOG’s library does not include these downloadable assets. Furthermore, the process requires personal effort; unlike buying a pre-made box, users must do the cutting and assembly themselves. This means the quality of the final product depends entirely on the user's materials and skills, rather than professional manufacturing.

The move also highlights the fragility of physical media preservation. By relying on user-generated replicas, GOG acknowledges that original physical copies are becoming rarer and more susceptible to loss. This digital-to-physical pipeline serves as a backup for the aesthetic value of the software, but it does not restore the original artifact. For many collectors, a homemade replica may not hold the same sentimental or monetary value as a genuine, store-bought box from the 1990s or early 2000s.

A niche response to industry trends

This initiative stands out as a distinct counter-move to the standard industry practice of abandoning physical media entirely. By leveraging existing 3D scan data, GOG is able to offer a low-cost, high-effort option for enthusiasts. It does not challenge the financial models of digital sales but rather adds an extra layer of engagement for a specific subset of players. As the industry continues to streamline its distribution methods, this project represents a small but significant effort to maintain the cultural history of PC gaming through user participation.