Sony ends disc production as GOG preserves classic box art
As major publishers abandon physical media, GOG offers a digital alternative for players who miss the tactile experience of classic game packaging.
The era of buying physical video game discs is coming to a close, and the industry is shifting rapidly toward a fully digital landscape. Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced it will stop producing new games on physical discs by 2028, a decision that has sparked significant backlash from long-time players. While some publishers are simply replacing discs with boxes containing digital codes, the broader trend points to consoles that may no longer include disc drives at all.
For enthusiasts who value the tangible history of gaming, this shift threatens to erase a specific piece of cultural heritage: the iconic box art. In response, PC game storefront GOG has launched a new initiative to preserve these visual elements. By scanning original packaging in high resolution, the company is ensuring that the aesthetic legacy of classic titles remains accessible, even as the physical medium disappears from shelves.
Digital scans replace physical boxes
GOG’s Preservation Program now includes five specific titles that offer more than just a download link. When players purchase games such as Myst, Descent, and Hitman: Codename 47, they receive a downloadable 3D model of the original box art. These digital replicas are designed to be opened directly in standard operating system viewers on Windows and Mac, allowing users to rotate and inspect the packaging without needing additional software or plugins.
According to reports from GN technics/gaming, this feature is intended to mimic the experience of holding a physical box. The technology translates the front, back, and spine of the original packaging into an interactive digital object. This approach addresses the desire for ownership and display that digital-only stores often neglect, providing a virtual stand-in for the physical artifact that is becoming increasingly rare.
Printable files enable home crafting
For those who feel that a screen-based representation is insufficient, GOG has partnered with the Big Box Collection project to provide flat, printable versions of the box art. These files allow players to create their own physical boxes at home using standard printing and crafting materials. This collaboration ensures that the visual design of these classic games can be reproduced in the physical world, catering to collectors who prefer tangible items.
The initiative also includes newer additions to the program, such as Armikrog and Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, the latter timed to coincide with the series' 60th anniversary. By offering both 3D digital models and printable assets, GOG is creating a bridge between the disappearing physical format and the inevitable digital future. This strategy allows the preservation of gaming history without relying on the continued production of plastic discs or large cardboard packages by manufacturers.
Trade-offs of the digital shift
While this preservation effort is a welcome step for fans of retro aesthetics, it does not restore the full physical experience. The digital scans are high-fidelity representations, but they lack the weight, texture, and presence of an actual object on a desk. Furthermore, the availability of these specific box art assets is limited to a small number of titles within the Preservation Program, meaning many other classic games will remain without official digital representations of their packaging.
The industry’s move away from physical media is driven by cost, sustainability, and convenience factors that favor digital distribution. As Sony and other giants finalize their transition, the responsibility for preserving the physical artifacts of gaming history shifts to third-party initiatives and community projects. GOG’s approach offers a practical compromise, saving the visual identity of these games for future generations, even if the original cardboard and plastic are left behind.
